Did you hear about the huge gold find in Denmark? A rookie detectorist, Ole Ginnerup Schytz, found 2.2 pounds of gold from the Iron Age dating back 1,500 years— a true bucket-lister!
Finds like this don’t happen every day and if you’re new to metal detecting, you’re probably wondering how to use a metal detector to locate gold. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of how a gold detector works and the best spots to hunt for gold.
Read on to learn how to become a champion gold detectorist to grow your gold collection.
How Does a Gold Metal Detector Work?
The most common type of metal detector for finding gold uses what’s known as VLF (very low frequency) technology. These devices use two types of coils to detect gold buried in the ground.
The transmitter coil sends electrical currents calibrated to resonate with gold through its wire in multiple directions. The receiver coil then picks up frequencies on the ground, amplifies them, and alerts you to resonant frequencies.
Another type of gold detector uses pulse induction technology. Detectors that use pulse induction technology only have one coil. This coil sends bursts of current through the wire to create an electrical spike commonly referred to as a reflected pulse. When the detector comes into contact with gold, an opposing pulse is sent into the magnetic field.
No matter which type of detector you choose, both are reliable ways to detect gold. To find the one that’s best for you check out these products.
Best Spots for Gold Hunting
There are many places to search for gold nuggets, jewelry, and ores. The best spots to hunt for gold nuggets, plates, and other artifacts are historical sites, churches, cultural buildings, and old mines. You may have some luck searching around old battlefields, shipwrecks, and ghost towns as well.
It’s important to note that these locations may require you to get permission to search and turn in any discoveries made. So if your goal is to keep what you find to grow your collection, it’s wise to look in other places.
If you want to keep the gold you find, the best places to look are those that attract high amounts of foot traffic. Park trails, public beaches, tourist locations, and stadiums are areas where you’re more likely to find gold rings, necklaces, and other jewelry.
If you’re on the hunt for gold ore, grab your metal detector and take a hike into nature. Searching the woods, creeks, rivers, and lakes in your local area is a great way to find some gold and identify spots that have a high yield for future reference!
Growing Your Gold Collection
Using a metal detector to hunt for gold is one of the most fun ways to grow your precious metal collection. There are a variety of metal detectors designed specifically for gold that increase the likelihood of a good find. When it comes to locations, it’s best to take a look around historical sites, ghost towns, rivers, and park trails.
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