Metal Detecting & Prospecting

What most don't realize is that you can find gold, silver and gemstones near your own home. But there are a few reasons you probably won't.

Check out my review of the handheld Lesche digging tool for metal detecting. I discuss the product's pros, cons, and overall value.

Check out my review of the handheld Garrett Pro Pointer and find out if it's a good pinpointer for metal detecting.

Check out some of my best metal-detecting finds to date.

One of the most popular devices for separating fine placer from black sand concentrates is the famous Blue Bowl Concentrator. It is a type of gravity dam—the black sand is washed up and over a hollow plastic cone leaving only fine gold along the base of the cone and the bottom of the bowl.

Metal detecting is an exciting and mentally relaxing pastime; it is truly treasure-hunting. Many new at the hobby, however, make some horrendous blunders.

So, you want to search for gold ore. How do you identify good gold prospects? If your strategy involves crushing any and every rock you come across, you'll be crushing for the rest of your life and won't find a flake. Here are some simple field tests you can perform to help you narrow your search.

Your metal-detecting headphones need to be waterproof if you plan to hunt for submerged targets. Check out my review of Gray Ghost Amphibian headphones to find out if they're worth it for treasure hunting in water.

One frustrating aspect to amateur gold prospecting is the difficulty refining gold from black sand pay dirt. There are a number of devices around that make the task easier, but for my money, a Miller Table with its regulated slow water flow and attracting surface is the best.

Are you looking for the best metal detecting sites to find old coins and rings? These are the places where I make my best finds.

If you want to try panning for gold, you might want to practice the techniques at home in your own yard.

The AT Pro metal detector is capable of locating deep silver coins in the ground. Check out my tips for using this machine to find those deeper coins that others have missed.

Some basic gold prospecting supplies are essential for large mining companies and the recreational gold-miner. Dry washers are a type of equipment useful in the dry southwest, particularly Arizona.

New gold prospectors have a problem on their first gold club outing. They've heard about panning for gold, and maybe how to use recovery equipment, but on claim arrival finding a spot is a new story.

Are you looking for a t-handle shovel for metal detecting or gardening? Check out my review of the Lesche t-handle shovel to find out if it's worth it.

The grass between the curb and the sidewalk is a good place to go metal detecting for coins and rings. Check out my tips for metal detecting sidewalk grass.