Your Path to Gold: Top Metal Detectors for 2023

Choosing the best metal detector for gold is not an easy task and for beginners it is almost impossible thing to do. On the market there are lots of offers and if you try to gain some insight on these devices, you will find yourself lost in the variety of models and prices. Besides, treasure hunting for gold can be very different. Someone is looking for it on the beach and someone is looking for nuggets. Both these targets require using different metal detectors.

In the current article we’ll discuss types of metal detectors, choose the best ones for gold prospecting, perform comparison study of the most popular models and help you to select the device with optimal combination of price and parameters. But, first of all….

Best metal detectors for gold

I have chosen the best gold detector on the market (from cheap to expensive), most time-proven and high efficient. If you think that there are more recommendable models, you are welcome to write me a message and I will include them into the list.

Fisher Gold Bug Pro

Fisher Gold Bug Pro review

Fisher Gold Bug Pro is a multi-purpose, high efficient metal detector for coin, relics and gold nuggets hunting on very mineralized soils. Despite the fact, that this model was designed specially for detecting small nuggets, unlike other metal detectors designed for gold digging, it can also be helpful when using small coins and jewelry.

Traditionally Fisher Lab designed Gold Bug control simple and easy-to-use even for beginners. Distinguishing characteristic of Fisher Gold Bug is that it uses sequential discrimination scheme, which is the most proper one when gold nugget hunting.

Sequential discrimination is a process when objects are excluded from the search one by one starting from metals with the lowest conductivity and further.

Also this metal detector has a ground balance function that can be adjusted both manually and automatically.

Operation frequency is 19 kHz. It weighs only 1,25 kg!

Last update on 2023-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Model	Fisher Gold Bug
Weight	2.5 lbs
Batteries	9 Volt (1)
Headphones	Not included
Warranty	5 years
Operating Principle	VLF
Standard Searchcoil	Three types of coils (5″ round DD, 7″ x 11″ elliptical DD, 5″ x 10″ elliptical DD)
Operating Frequencies (kHz)	19.2 kHz
Water resistance	Waterproof coil
Submersion Depth	No
Discrimination	Yes
Ground Balance	Auto, manual
Audio Threshold	No
Electronic Pinpointing	Yes
VDI (0 to 99 scale)	Yes
Build-in flashlight	No

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Garrett AT Gold

Garrett AT Gold review

Garrett (USA) has designed a new model of metal detector Garrett AT Gold specializing in non-ferrous metal and gold nuggets detecting. AT Gold has high sensitivity to small objects, like gold nuggets, rings, chains. For successful detection of nuggets, jewelry and small coins the device has high operation frequency (18 kHz) and minimized size of its search sensor.

Due to the fact, that AT Gold was designed basing on AT Pro, it can function under water, when it rains and in the places with heavy accumulation of dust and dirt.

The main difference between AT Gold and AT Pro, is that Garrett AT Gold metal detector has higher operation frequency 18 kHz (Garrett AT Pro has 15 kHz operation frequency); Garrett AT Pro is equipped with AT 8,5×11 DD coil in its set (it is a bit larger), while Garrett AT Gold has AT 5×8 DD coil (which is smaller).

Also Garrett AT Gold has wider possibilities when metal detecting on heavy-textured soils.

Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Model	Garrett AT Gold
Weight	3.03 lbs (1.4 kgs)
Length (Adjustable)	43″ to 56″ (1.09m – 1.4m)
Batteries	4 AA (included)
Headphones	Included
Warranty	2 years
Circuit Type	VLF
Standard Searchcoil	5″ x 8″ ( 14×20 cm) DD PROformance
Operating Frequencies (kHz)	18
Water resistance	Waterproof detector
Submersion Depth	up to 10 feet
Iron Discrimination Segments	44
Ground Balance	Manual, Auto
Search Modes	3
Updatable Software	No
Audio Threshold	Yes
Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments	8
Electronic Pinpointing	Yes
VDI (0 to 99 scale)	Yes
Build-in flashlight	No

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Garrett Goldmaster 24K

Goldmaster 24K is a metal detector produced by the American company Garrett. It was specially designed for gold nuggets metal detecting. Earlier, this metal detector was called

White’s Goldmaster 24K, but the White’s company was bought by Garrett. The metal detector had some updates and improvements and came into the market with a new name.

Goldmaster 24K is a metal detector with a simple S-shaped shaft powered by 8 AA accumulators with a charger. Rechargeable batteries can function for up to 45 hours on one charge, allowing treasure hunting for several days. The device has a standard search coil 6×10 DD. Branded wired Garrett headset is included in the package set.

Why this metal detector for gold nuggets treasure hunting is better than other Garrett metal detectors? First of all, Goldmaster’s 24K feature is high sensitivity to gold due to its ability to operate using 48 kHz frequency. It has an upgraded ground balance function with tracking ability and full-fledged performance on magnetic soils.

Ground filter system – XGB was added, automatic ground tracking method. Due to XGB, you can go treasure hunting at different conditions by decreasing the noise level and without losing performance stability. Besides, this system allows partial ignoring of hot rocks.

The device has Iron Cancel. In case the places where you search for gold nuggets are very rubbished with ferrous objects, it will help you to discriminate iron. But remember that even though Goldmaster 24K has a perfect discrimination function, using any type of discrimination includes a chance of missing a signal from gold.

Last update on 2023-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Model	Garrett Goldmaster 24K
Weight	3.6 lbs (1.4 kgs)
Length (Adjustable)	44″ to 54″
Batteries	8 AA (included)
Headphones	Included
Warranty	2 years
Circuit Type	VLF
Standard Searchcoil	6″ x 10″ DD Standard, 6” Concentric Optional
Operating Frequencies (kHz)	48
Water resistance	Waterproof detector
Submersion Depth	No
Ground Balance	XGB; TracLock
Search Modes	All Metal
Updatable Software	No
Audio Threshold	Yes, Variable Self-Adjusting Threshold
Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments	Yes
Electronic Pinpointing	Yes
Backlight	Yes

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Garrett Axiom

Garrett Axiom is a metal detector manufactured in 2022 for gold and gold nuggets search. It uses pulse induction technology. This metal detector is of a completely different class than Garrett AT Gold and Garrett Goldmaster 24K. Of course, the price is different as well.

What are Garrett Axiom’s advantages?

PI technology is used in cases when you plan to operate on complex and extremely complex soils, and this is where you can actually find gold. Pulse Induction in Garrett Axiom provides improved sensitivity and full multipurposeness of the device on most highly mineralized soils and in brackish water. This metal detector is very sensitive, and it is capable of detecting cold particles of less than 1 gram weight.

Upgraded discrimination function and automatic ground balance tracking ensure the detection of all valuable targets.

Garrett Axiom operation time is almost 24 hours. Using the embedded battery, the device can function for up to 16 hours, and an additional unit with 8 AA power components will provide 6 more hours of treasure hunting.

A carbon fiber shaft of three sections can be folded to extremely small sizes. The device length in the folded state is just 63,5 cm! At that, it will be comfortable to work with Garrett Axiom for a user of any height since its shaft can be unfolded to a length of 156 cm. Moreover, the device is rather light weighted one – just 1,9 kg.

The standard package set also includes a bag for the metal detector, network adapters, charging cables, protecting covers for search coils, additional unit for 8 AA batteries.

Last update on 2023-12-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Model	Garrett Axiom
Weight	4.2 lbs. (1.9 kg) with 11” mono coil; 4.7 lbs. (2.1 kg) with 13” mono coil
Length (Adjustable)	25” (63.5 cm) to 61.5” (156 cm)
Batteries	Rechargeable Lithium Ion, built-in; 76 Wh, 306 g
Headphones	Included
Warranty	2 years
Circuit Type	PI (Pulse Induction)
Standard Searchcoil	11” x 7” mono coil; 13” x 11” mono coil
Operating Frequencies	1500 Hz
Water resistance	Water/Weather Resistance
Submersion Depth	No
Ground Balance	Automatic, dual channel
Search Modes	Fine, Normal, Large, Salt
Updatable Software	Yes
Audio Threshold	Yes
Sensitivity/Depth Adjustments	8
Electronic Pinpointing	Yes
VDI (0 to 99 scale)	Yes
Build-in flashlight	No

Minelab Gold Monster 1000 – best overall

Minelab Gold Monster 1000 review

Minelab Gold Monster 1000 – is a high frequency metal detector designed for treasure hunting on highly mineralized soil. Due to its high operation frequency 45 kHz it has very high sensitivity to small sized gold nuggets (0,2-0,3 gram). This metal detector was designed as the most adaptive system with several different configurations.

Minelab Gold Monster 1000 is completely automated device. That’s why you won’t have to adjust ground balance and threshold tone all the time. Therefore, while searching you will be able to devote more time to the process itself and not to the device settings. As for me, this is best gold detector on the market.

You have to make up your mind if you adjust the device sensitivity level yourself or use auto adjustment. At that you should keep in mind that automatic mode will decrease the device sensitivity for a sake of more stable productivity.

Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Model	Minelab Gold Monster 1000
Weight	1.33kg (2.94lbs) excluding battery
Length (Adjustable)	1382mm–944mm (54.4″–37.2″)
Batteries	Li-Ion (included), 8 AA Batteries (not included)
Headphones	Included
Warranty	2 years
Operating Principle	VLF
Key Technology	Ultra-wide dynamic range 45kHz VLF
Standard Searchcoil	2 coils: 10″ x 6″ Double-D, 5″ Double‑D
Operating Frequencies (kHz)	45 kHz
Water resistance	Coils waterproof to 1m (3′), Control box rain/splash-proof
Submersion Depth	No
Detect Modes	Gold (Iron reject), Deep All-Metal
Discrimination	Yes, Gold Chance Indicator (high/low)
Ground Balance	Automatic (Easy-Trak)
Noise Cancel	Automatic (On start-up)
Detect Modes	2 (Gold (Iron reject), Deep All-Metal)
Sensitivity Adjust	Manual (1–10), Auto (11), Auto+ (12)
Volume Adjust	Manual 1–6
Visual Display	Monochrome LCD
Audio Output	Internal speaker or headphones 3.5mm (1/8″)

XP Deus II

XP Deus II review

Nowadays it is the best metal detector on the market. XP Deus 3 has accumulated all the best groundwork made by XP during all these years.

XP Deus II is a metal detector designed in 2022 that is one of the best multipurpose metal detectors nowadays. It is fast both for ground and underwater metal detecting, with FMF ® technology (fast multifrequency technology), extra lightweight (it weighs just 800 grams), the device is mobile and completely wireless: its control unit, search coil, headset, connection with a pinpointer are wireless. This is the best metal detector model designed by XP.

The most important about this novelty is its own technology, FMF – Fast Multi Frequency. This means the ability of the device operation simultaneously using a multifrequency from 4 to 45 kHz. At that, the frequencies in multi-frequency mode will be selected according to the device operation mode selected.

While XP Deus predecessor was good in many ways but not for beach hunting, XP Deus II can be used not only for beach hunting but the device also can be submerged up to 20 meters deep!

For underwater treasure hunting, there was designed a bone conduction headset that allows for hearing the weakest signals. Vibration mode was also added to the headset features.

Moreover, XP Deus II is a multifrequency device that efficiently searches both large-sized targets and small gold nuggets for which it has a special program, «Goldfield»

XP Deus II is as light weight as possible (it weighs 815 g max), which means that the device is very convenient in use. Since we all know how hard it is to sweep with any other device and then your hand starts aching. Now these issues are settled and you can enjoy using this metal detector.

Deus II is quickly assembled and dismantled and at that there is no chance of loosing or breakage of any device’s components. The metal detector has embedded batteries with at least 2 years term of service and then you should replace them with new ones. The batteries high capacity ensures very long service term without recharging.

XP Deus II can be considered the most light-weighted, ergonomic, and multipurpose metal detector with the highest efficiency when searching for any targets under any conditions. It is obvious that here we have a really new device, not just a veiled upgrade of the previous device model.

Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Weight
Total detector weight with batteries	750-815 g
Stem weight	370 g (S-Telescopic) – 305 g (S-Telescopic lite)
Remote weight with battery	150 g
Headphone weight with battery	WS6: 82 g – WSA II: 72 g – WSA II XL: 250 g
Coil weight	22.5 (9’’) – 345 g; 28 cm (11’) – 470 g; 34×28 cm (13’’x11’’) – 570 g
Length
Stem	Fully telescopic, S-shaped
Length of folded stem	58 cm
Length of extended stem	130 cm
Coils
Wireless coils	DD 22.5cm-9’’/28 cm-11’’/34x28cm-13’’x11’’ (fully waterproof 20m – 66 ft)
Temperature
Operating T°	0 to + 40°C
Max ambient T° during charging	0 to + 40°C
Recommended storage T°	25°C
Waterproofness
Coil	IP 68 – 20m – 66 ft
Bone conduction headphones	Waterproof IP68 – 20m – 66 ft (optional)
Wireless Headphones optional	WS6 (rainproof) – WSAII (rainproof) – WSAII XL (IP 68-1m)
Batteries
Batteries	Remote/Coil: 700 mAh – Headphones: 320 mAh
Battery level indicator	Yes: Remote/Headphones/Coil/MI-6
Wireless Remote Control battery life	~ 15 to 30H depending on audio output activated
Wireless Headphone battery life	~ 15H WSAII/WS6
Wireless Coil battery life	8H to 20H depending on programs and frequencies
Mains power charger	Depending on version, Input 100-220V 50/60Hz, Output 5V- 1A max
Charging time	~3 h
Features
Software updates	Yes, by USB/Internet connection
Hip mount remote control case	Yes
Headphones storage case	Yes (WS6, WSA II)
Warranty	Five years parts and labor. Batteries, chargers and connectors have a 2 year warranty
Settings
Detection frequencies	Simultaneous Multi Frequency or between the 49 single frequencies from 4 to 45 kHz
Sensitivity	99 levels
Sound type	Different sound options: PWM, SQUARE
Audio Volume	10 levels for each audio output
Reactivity	9 levels (0/0.5/1/1.5/2/2.5/3/4/5)
Audio Response	8 levels
Iron Volume	6 levels
Multi Tones	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Pitch and Full Tones 1 and 2 + EXPERT modes
Ground balance	Tracking, Grab, Manual
Multi-Notch	Yes, with adjustable window width
Pinpoint	Yes, with and without Autotune – Audio and visual
Discrimination	Audio and visual/ferrous bottle cap rejection on 5 levels/Silencer
Threshold	Threshold and Audio frequency adjustable
Equalizer	4 Bands configurable
Programs	12 factory programs + 12 users
Backlight	20 levels adjustable, very low power consumption

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Minelab SDC 2300

In summer 2020, the company has introduced an improved version of its classical metal detector Minelab SDC 2300. The new device package set includes new headphones, protection for the armrest and Li-ion accumulator. An additional detail (a protector) was added to the connector joint to protect the connection with the search coil during metal detecting.

MINELAB SDC 2300 beyond all doubt is a milestone in production of metal detectors for gold nuggets hunting – it represents combination of pure functionality and efficiency.

It doesn’t have the slightest hint of some ‘ornamental’ options. The device demonstrates perfect performance characteristics when going metal detecting at highly complicated conditions.

This multi-purpose device allows quickly and thoroughly examine a prospecting site concerning possible detection of gold nuggets that may indicate the presence of larger nuggets deeper in the ground.

The metal detector is small sized and waterproof. It has a reliable structure and it is easy to master even for beginner. All these characteristics are based on call of the times and completely meet the requirements of modern nuggets hunter.

It is convenient to carry SDC 2300 in a rucksack and it is perfect for treasure hunting in shallow waters. Yet it performs better when jewelry hunting, than when nuggets detecting. It is capable of ‘seeing’ even thin chains and bracelets.

Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Model	Minelab SDC 2300
Application	Gold Prospecting (waterproof 10ft)
Coil (standard)	8″ Round Monoloop
Audio Output	Built-in speaker, Minelab headphones (supplied), Koss Waterproof Headphones (not supplied), Pro Sonic Wireless Audio (not supplied)
Visual Display	9 LEDs indicate detection, battery status and threshold level; 1 low battery warning LED
Length	Extended: 1500 mm (59.1″) Collapsed: 400 mm (15.7”)
Weight	2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)
Batteries	Li-on Battery Pack with Charger, 4 x C-cell 1.2 V 5000 mAh Rechargeable (not supplied), 4 X C-cell 1.5 V Alkaline (not supplied)
Detect Modes	Normal (1-5 Sensitivity range) & Salt (1-3 Sensitivity range)
Noise Cancel	Manually Initiated, Automatic Scanning
Ground Balance	Automatic Ground Tracking (AGT) Fast Ground Balance
Threshold	9 audio levels
Audio Pitch	Low, High
Technology	Pulse Induction (PI) and Multi Period Fast (MPF)
Warranty	3 years control box & coil
Included Accessories	Armrest Cover, Coil Joint Protector
Optional Accessories	Koss Waterproof Headphones, Pro-Sonic Wireless Audio, Carry Bag

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Minelab GPX 6000

New metal detector GPX 6000 has a range of innovations in comparison with the previous model GPX 5000. The device uses modern noise reduction technologies and complex probing pulses which allows applying it at the most complicated search conditions.

Extremely high sensitivity of the device provides maximum detection depth as well as successful detection of the smallest nuggets. This model is aimed not only at gold nuggets hunting, but it is also adapted for relic and beach hunting which requires super sensitivity to very small targets.

GPX 6000 is supplied complete with round shaped 11-inch mono-coil a large 14″ Double-D coil. There are 100 coils you can get to replace the ones you have and this number grows each year. This is a reliable, time-proven metal detector suitable for almost any situation.

Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Model	Minelab GPX 6000
Search Modes (Ground Types)	Difficult (default) | Normal
Double-D Modes	EMI Cancel (default) | Conductive Ground Cancel
Ground Balance	Auto | Manual (Quick-Trak)
Noise Cancel	Automatic (on start-up) | Manual (as needed – 5s duration)
Sensitivity	Manual (levels 1 — 10) | Auto (level 11) | Auto+ (Level 12)
Threshold Tone	On, Off
Volume	5 Levels
Length	Extended: 155 cm (61 in) | Collapsed: 67 cm (26.5 in)
Weight	2.1 kg (4.6 lb) (with 11″ round Monoloop coil)
Display	Monchrome LCD with backlight
Available coils	GPX 11™ 11″ round Monoloop | GPX 14™ 14″ round Double-D | GPX 17™ 17″x13″ elliptical Monoloop
Audio Output	Built-in loudspeaker | Wired 3.5 mm (1/8″ headphones) | Bluetooth wireless audio (aptX™ Low Latency)
Supplied Headphones	ML 100 wireless headphones
Supplied Batteries	Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery 5833 mAh
Battery Runtime	8 hours (approximately)
Waterproof	Coils: submersible to 1m (3.3 ft) | Detector: splash / rain proof
Operating Frequency	1.225 kHz
Operating Temperature Range	-10°C to +50°C (+14°F to +122°F)
Storage Temperature Range	-20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)
Key Technologies	GeoSense-PI™ | Bluetooth | aptX™ Low Latency

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Minelab GPZ 7000

This is best metal detector for finding gold nuggets, heavyweight champion of gold metal detectors. But its price is very high.

This new metal detector by Minelab uses a breakthrough technology of gold detection – ZVT. This device stands head and shoulders above metal detectors of GPX series when detecting large and deep resting nuggets as well as detecting gold at any depth.

The device weights 3,32 kg, it has 14х13 waterproof coil. We can even call it a metal detector of tomorrow. All the results it demonstrates are significantly higher than that of previous Minelab models.

By means of this function (GPS-navigation) and application XChange 2 for PC you can put the marks you need on the map and also create a table of your own findings, record occurrence depth and weigh of nuggets and make any other notes in the field.

Now you won’t need a separate notebook or GPS, all information can be stored as a GeoHunt in your device and when you come back home you can copy all the data to your PC and show them on Google maps.

Supporters of serious, thorough approach to metal detecting by means of screen ‘Map’ can travel to the places they are interested in and look through GeoTrail, where they’ve been to, save their WayPoints (points that are of some interest to them) and FindPoints (their findings).

Another distinctive feature of Minelab GPZ 7000 metal detector is its high noise resistance and nowadays its is second to none in terms of this parameter. Due to its 256 channels of noise suppression you can use the device at maximum level of concentration, nothing strains your ears, there are no noises or sounds that distract you from the detection process, you won’t miss even the quietest and weakest signal from a target.

Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Model	Minelab GPZ 7000
Application	Gold Prospecting (Waterproof coil to 1m/3ft)
Technology	ZVT
Frequency/Transmission	Zero Voltage Transmission (ZVT)
Coil (standard)	14″ x 13″ Super‑D Configuration with skidplate (waterproof to 1 m/3 ft)
Audio Output	6.3 mm (¼”) non waterproof socket, Wi‑Stream wireless signal transmission
Headphones Supplied	KOSS UR 30 100 ohm with 6.3 mm plug (¼-inch) (non waterproof)
Visual Display	Full colour LCD (320 x 240 pixels)
Backlight	Yes
USB Connectivity	USB interface for XChange 2 PC software
Memory	Yes
Depth Indication	No
Detect Modes	Gold Mode (High Yield, General, Extra Deep) Ground Type (Normal, Difficult, Severe)
Discrimination	All Metal
Timings	No
Audio tone	1-100
Audio Type	No
Ground Balance	Auto and Manual (Quick‑Trak trigger button)
Ground Balance Type	Auto and Manual (Quick‑Trak trigger button)
Trash Density	No
Pinpoint	No
Sensitivity Adjust	Level (1-20)
Tune / Noise Cancel	Auto and Manual (256 channels)
Threshold	Level (1-50) Pitch (1-100)
Target Volume Adjust	Range (1-20) Limit (1-20)
Battery	Li-Ion Rechargeable Pack (7.2V DC, 72Wh)
Low battery alert	Yes
Length	Collapsed: 1170 mm (46.1”) Laid flat, packed position: 1304 mm (51.3”) Extended: 1526 mm (60.1”) Laid flat, packed position: 1651 mm (65.0”)
Weight	3.32 kg (7.32 lb) (Including GPZ 14 coil, skidplate and 72Wh battery)
Warranty	3 years control box & coil

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Can metal detectors detect gold?

Actually, on the market there are no metal detectors that can detect only gold. All these devices are capable of equally detect copper, aluminum, lead and other metals, not just gold.

However, there are metal detectors that are very good at detecting nuggets and jewelry or coins made from gold that rest quite deep under ground.

We can conventionally divide such models into two groups: devices for underwater and on the ground treasure hunting.

Quite often completely different demands are made for these devices because they function in various conditions.

In this article we’ll consider models that are used to find gold onshore, since we’ve already written about the best underwater metal detectors here.

In most cases people look for gold, silver or platinum jewelry in water. If you are going to look for jewelry on the beach or under water, you’d better read that review.

What are the features of these metal detectors?

So, let’s see, what metal detector is the best when searching for gold?

A metal detector for gold has some differences if compared with metal detectors of other types. These distinctions are due to features of the technology they use. Its main aim is to detect the smallest particles at final depth.

Though these devices can detect other metals, yet it isn’t proper to use them for ordinary metal detecting. The thing is, that the process will be complicated with constant signals received from metal rubbish which these devices are highly sensitive to.

Golden coins and other jewelry items are easily detected by devices that use high operation frequencies (i.e. higher than 14 kHz). The advantage of working at such frequency is the ability to detect small objects such as earrings, rings, coins.

Metal detecting of golden items has some peculiarities. Gold has conductivity and discrimination scale parameters similar to those of oxidized iron. Due to this a metal detector for gold should have an expanded range of ferrous metals.

Coins, nuggets and jewelry made of precious metals is most cases are small, that’s why the device should also be highly sensitive to small objects.

It has to be able to function on highly mineralized soils, since usually these are the areas where golden items and nuggets are detected.

Metal detectors for gold, nuggets and coins hunting mainly use VLF (Very Low Frequency / Low Frequency) and PI (Pulse Induction) technologies. Some of them are designed to work either on the ground or underwater, the others can function both underwater and on ground.

Nowadays VLF technology is a more widespread one, since it is more multi-purpose approach. Metal detectors that are using this technology have operation frequencies up to 100 kHz. The devices utilizing VLF- technology have efficient discrimination and support multi-frequency functioning.

However, one of the most expensive devices for gold hunting use PI technologies. These metal detectors have high sensitivity to the smallest objects and demonstrate stable productivity on mineralized soils where ordinary metal detectors just fail.

The key feature of such metal detectors is minimal set of functions and high energy consumption.

VLF and Pulse Induction – what’s the difference?

VLF-metal detectors have operation frequencies from 3 to 30 kHz; from 30 to 300 kHz (deep search) and from 20 to 100 kHz (in the upper soil layer), but there are also multi-frequency devices. They allow detecting large targets at low frequencies as well as coins, earrings, rings – at high ones.

PI technology means that the device emits a bunch of alternating short or long electric pulses (MPS, Multi Period Sensing) or alternating voltage is applied to its head (DVT, Dual Voltage Technology).

PI-detectors «see» gold deep under ground, they are very sensitive to small objects, ignore noise generated by soil rich in magnetic inclusions (sodium and potassium salts, ferriferous oxides) and «rubbish» (nails, pieces of various metal containing objects).

Often these devices function using some special programs.

For example:

• «leveled sensitivity» (improves response from small fragments in mineralized soil, excludes signals from magnetic rocks)
• «small gold» (improves the device sensitivity to coins and jewelry in mineralized soils)
• «Salt / gold» (helps to perform treasure hunting in alkali soil, beaches, deposits with mineralized soils)
• «Improved sensitivity» and or «fast response» (for deep metal detecting in neutral soils)

Example with a gold chain

One of the most popular things found by means of metal detecting is a chain or some parts of it. However, this is one of the most hard to find targets for a metal detector (it can be made from any metal, not necessary from gold).

The metal detector sees the chain not as a single object, it detects its chain links. The coil of the device doesn’t identify mass of the whole chain and it seems that it tries to ‘divide’ it into separate chain links and detect them as different targets located close to each other.

That’s why if the chain lies lengthwise, you won’t get sufficient detection depth. If its rests as a ‘pile’, there is a chance to detect it even at a large depth.

Another key factor is the chain link size – the larger (the heavier it is) the deeper the device can see such a target.

As a rule, only expensive VLF – detectors can see a chain even not very deep, if it lies lengthwise and yet not all of them can pass this test. PI detectors deal with this task more successfully.

References

1. https://garrett.com/sport/at-all-terrain/at-gold
2. http://fisherlab.com/hobby/fisher-goldbug-pro-metal-detector.htm
3. https://www.minelab.com/metal-detectors/gold-monster-1000
4. https://www.minelab.com/metal-detectors/sdc-2300
5. https://www.minelab.com/metal-detectors/gpx-6000
6. https://www.minelab.com/metal-detectors/gpz-7000