Do metal detectors detect gold? Metal detectors detect metal, and yes, they detect gold. They also detect a lot of other metallic junk. Any detector will locate gold, although little flakes are more likely to be found in streams and washes. Older detectors will find gold just as well as newer ones, but with lower sensitivity.
The difference between a $200 and a $1000 detector is the type of system. This includes its sensitivity (or lack thereof), ground balance ability, discrimination, depth, etc. With a $100 detector, an expert operator will routinely find more good objects in the ground than a novice with a $5000 machine. The price may not always reflect what can be found. Patience and experience are essential.
What is the difference between a Gold and a Metal Detector?
A metal detector can detect gold because it is a metal. A gold Detector can detect various metals. Metal detectors are typically employed by amateurs hunting for various metals, such as antiquities, artifacts, coins, and jewelry, including silver and gold.
When prospecting for gold, a standard metal detector can be used to find huge gold rings, jewelry, and coins instead of locating natural gold. This is because they include little gold nuggets and gold flakes. A genuine gold detector is required for the latter.
Gold has low conductivity characteristics compared to other metals. Hence a detector that runs at a higher frequency will perform better. As a result, gold detectors work at much higher frequencies, typically between 45kHZ and 61kHZ, whereas hobby metal detectors normally operate at lower frequencies(6.5kHZ and 14kHZ).
Why Aren’t All Metal Detectors Capable of Finding Gold?
Metal detectors function by creating a small magnetic field that detects items buried in the earth. Several factors determine the metal detector’s reaction:
- The detector’s operation frequency
- The hidden materials’ conductivity
- Soil or ground type
- The object’s size
- The object’s thickness
Hence, not all metal detectors can detect gold grains or nuggets reliably and precisely. In addition, lower frequency detectors are less effective at finding gold because of the size of gold and its low conductivity.
Higher frequency metal detectors are better at locating gold because they can precisely distinguish tiny materials. Furthermore, gold has stronger conductivity with higher frequency waves than lower frequency waves.
Multi-frequency or PI-type detectors are the most effective at detecting gold. These are two of the most expensive metal detectors, but they have the best characteristics for the conditions associated with gold prospecting.
This is because gold is often discovered in mineralized zones. Because there are several minerals on the earth around where gold is found, such as salt, it cannot be easy to obtain property conductivity that would allow metal detection. However, machines optimized for gold mining can get around the mineralization and find gold.
Considerations When Selecting a Metal Detector for Gold Hunting:
1. Budget
Gold metal detectors can be costly, especially if you require one with pulse induction. However, that doesn’t mean you have to spend $8000 on a high-end gold detector; in some cases, a less expensive one is useful.
2. Technology
High-frequency VLF or pulse induction technology are two options. Both types of metal detectors have benefits and drawbacks, so the best option is dependent on your needs. Low-frequency VLF devices (less than 15kHz) should be avoided because they lack the sensitivity needed to locate small gold nuggets.
3. Mineralization
Make sure the detector can handle high levels of mineralization. Gold is frequently detected in soil with high levels of mineralization. This can create interference when utilizing ordinary detectors. A gold detector should be able to filter this away or completely ignore it.
4. Manual Ground Balance
Invest in a detector with manual ground balance. When hunting in difficult terrain, the ability to manually change the ground balance of your equipment is essential.
5. Location
Determine your hunting goals and location. Your prospecting location determines the best gold metal detector for you. The proper decision is influenced by mineralization, rubbish, depth, and average nugget size.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. What is the Process of Pulse Induction?
One coil serves as both the receiver and the transmitter in pulse induction technology. This coil generates a magnetic field by sending energy into the earth. When these pulses collide with a metal object, such as gold, the detector detects the signal and alerts the user.
2. How Does VLF Work at High Frequency?
VLF metal detectors use two coils, one that broadcasts and one that receives, to help pick up objects on the ground. As a result, compared to pulse induction technology, which is better for deeper targets, VLF detectors are significantly better at detecting shallower targets.
3. How Far Can Gold Be Found?
This is determined by the detector, the surrounding environment, and the size of the gold nugget. The best metal detectors can detect a nugget half the size of a grain at a depth of up to two inches. As the size grows larger, so does the depth.
A matchhead-sized gold nugget could be found at depths of up to 5 inches. However, if you use a pulse induction device, you can potentially detect larger nuggets at depths of over a foot.
