At moment detect a metallic gold. There are 3 main types of to keep in mind: Nugget hunting, jewelry metal detecting, and detecting for gold coins. Each method requires different strategies, locations, and sometimes it is difficult to choose the best metal detector.
For eons mineralized quartz arteries and unexposed ore bodies have been shedding pure gold for nugget hunters to find. The best spots for nugget hunting are the desert areas in Midwestern states like Arizona and California. Although many gold nuggets have been uncovered, geologists agree that 95% of the gold in our western states has yet to be found.
Most of this gold is in the form of nuggets that are in reach of a good gold metal detector. Remember that gold prospectors during the gold rush did not have a metal detector and could not see the gold. Therefore, many of these nugget rich spots have been left un-molested. For this type of hunting for gold the best metal detectors would have the correct frequency for gold detection. In order to find gold nuggets well the best metal detector must operate at a higher frequency than normal metal detectors.
The challenge with this is that most metal detectors operate at VLF (very low freqeuncy) so they can tune out iron trash while going very deep. Gold gives off almost the same magnetic frequency as iron ore and many times gold jewelry is alloyed with non-valuable metals. A good solution to this problem is the Treasure Hunter XJ9-3050 with its dual frequency technology.
The problem is that gold has the same magnetic field as iron so many gold detectors will also get a lot of false signals. A very special type of metal detector for this purpose is the Pulse Induction detector. These require some practice to get the ear for detectors dee in the ground, but they are popular among the so called seasoned veterens of the hobby.
The Minelab GPX-4500 is a favorite among gold nugget hunters but these are also not great at tuning out trash items. You should always consider a gold nugget find as a good indicator that there are more nuggets in the area. Gold nuggets are very rarely found by themselves. The best all around metal detector for gold nugget hunting is probably the Treasure Hunter XJ9-3050.
Hunting for gold rings is another type of gold hunting. Gold rings are different than gold nuggets because they are often alloyed with other types of metal. They are usually close to the surface and sometimes cannot be tuned out or selected for with a notch filter even with the best metal detector. By far the best place to look for gold rings is at the beach. Particularly in the shallows of a dropping tide at a popular resort location.
The reason is because many vacationers do not realize that the colder water can make their fingers shrink and unsuspectingly lose their highly valuable ring jewelry. Also, the shallow water is the most recent area that was occupied by vacationers. Miami’s south beach is notorious for one of the most lucrative metal detecting spots on the planet and many of the local metal detectorists are very secretive and territorial about their spots.
Because you will find many other types of jewelry besides gold, it is best to have an all purpose type of metal detector for ring and jewelry hunting. A great metal detector for beach hunting is the fully waterproof Treasure Hunter Poseiden detector. It really helps to have a metal detector that can work well in the water fully submersed as well as being very capable in dry sand.
Of course dry sand metal detecting in popular resort areas is also highly recoverable detecting. Another great detector for these conditions is the Garrett GTP 1350 or the Treasure Hunter 3019. Both detectors have many different modes for different target selection or rejection and can detect small targets at large depths. Don’t forget your sand scoop when detecting at the beach!
Metal detecting for gold coins is an entirely different animal and different strategies must be applied. This type of find is the most rare and valuable among treasure hunters. The best areas to find gold coins would be shipwrecks. The best and most valuable type of find and the fantasy of every treasure hunter is to find a new shipwreck with gold bullion coins and similar gold treasure.
This type of find is extremely rare, but there are undiscovered shipwrecks with treasure to be found. The most notorious place to find treasure laden shipwrecks is the Carribean sea. There is untold fortunes of gold in the form of coins and relics that has yet to be found. For these spots you would need one of the more highly advanced underwater metal detectors like the Treasure Hunter Poseidon underwater metal detector.
Also, rare gold coins have been found washed up at all the beaches of the East Coast, and indicates that there is much more treasure hidden out there. Overall the best metal detector for gold hunting would probably be the Treasure Hunter XJ9-3050 because of the dual frequency allows it to detect gold at great depths. Just remember that the search for the treasure is just as valuable as the treasure itself, so enjoy yourself and always follow the treasure hunter code of ethics!
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