High & Low Detector Frequency Questions

Ham

Jr. Member
Apr 17, 2012
39
9
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I'm only interested in detecting jewelry in dry beach sand. I read that metal detectors in the 19-20 kHz range are preferable for gold jewelry detection. Yet gold jewelry is still found with detectors in the 7.5 kHz range! Why would one use a low frequency detector when a higher frequency detector would be a big advantage? Does the lower frequency detector have some advantages?
 

RW

Hero Member
Feb 7, 2007
922
993
Fort Worth'ish
Detector(s) used
Golden uMax w/CleanSweep - XP Deus
Primary Interest:
Cache Hunting
Lower frequency might give a little more depth especially on high conductors like silver. Higher frequencies might do better in mineralized beach ground. Dry sand only not as big of a problem but still will want a machine that can be ground balanced. What beach you are hunting might make a difference on the detector you choose. And then there is Pulse Induction...
 

smokeythecat

Gold Member
Nov 22, 2012
20,721
40,804
Maryland
🥇 Banner finds
10
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
XP Deus II
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
The frequency can make a difference. Almost any detector can find a nice, big fat gold ring. However, that being said, when I do the beach, and I mainly do the dry sand, I have found a higher frequency machine will get tiny gold. Case in point, my XP Deus running at 28.8 khz pulled a 2.5 mm 14k gold bead from the frozen sand this week. When I was running my Cibola at 14.5 khz, I dug a ring about 10" down, it was a medium sized one. These ar salt water beaches. On most average sized pieces of gold, I doubt it will matter much. If you're looking for a small ear stud I would go with 20 khz or more. I finally used the highest frequency on my Deus and pulled tiny Civil War brass buttons from a foot down with it. If you already have a name brand machine, I'd use what you have because most items will be 4-8 down and most any machine will find them.
 

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