Finding gold is one part skill and 99 parts luck. You need all parts to come together to find the gold that might be lurking beneath your feet.
In the past, finding gold meant going to the river. Using gold panning kits and sluices, you could filter out small nuggets of gold and earn a decent living. Some people are still doing that today.
Thanks to the technologies found in the best metal detectors, it is easier to find hidden gold. Just take your metal detector out and you’ve got the chance to find real treasure.
You may not find gold coins or nuggets, but combing a beach with a metal detector can help you find lost rings, necklaces, and other jewelry. You can find a lot of lost change in parks as well.
If you’re ready to get started, the knowing how to detect gold with a metal detector is a skill you can develop quickly. Here’s what you’ll want to consider.
Choose the Right Kind of Coil for Your Local Needs
Metal detectors for gold come with two standard types of coils: concentric and wide-scan. Each has its own advantages.
A concentric coil gives your detection scans deeper penetration into the soil or sand below. You can locate gold that may be buried as deep as 3 feet with this type of coil.
Wide-scan coils don’t penetrate as deeply, but they give you a more accurate detection experience and can help you cover large swaths of ground with relative ease.
If you live in a forested area, then concentric coils are usually better to use. The gold may be there, but deep under the surface. The only exception to this guideline is if you live near a mountain stream in a forested area. Erosion from the stream tends to bring the gold to the surface.
Wide-scan coils are good for coastal areas and general prospecting.
VLF or PI: Which is Better?
VLF is a technology that provides the coil with an induction balance. The energy for detecting goes up and down the coil, giving the metal detector an increased sensitivity level. It allows for better gold detection, but it will also register miscellaneous mineral deposits and trash items you may not wish to dig up.
PI sends a quick burst of energy to the coil instead of a constant flow. They find veins of gold very effectively, but struggle to find smaller sized items, such as a gold coin or a small nugget.
For general prospecting, you’ll usually want to purchase a VLF metal detector. If you suspect there could be large deposits of gold, however, a PI metal detector is worth the investment.
Now You’re Ready to Go Hunting for Gold
Once you’ve decided on the best metal detector to help you find gold, the final task is simple: go out and start hunting. The best metal detectors for gold will give you the 1 part of skill you need to find a potential treasure. As for the luck, if you keep hunting, then you can make your own luck when it comes to finding gold.