I went on my first of 2008 and I found a little gold . The ear rings are small but they are real. The only other highlight is the 1946-s wheat penny I found . I hope the gold is a good omen for the year to come.
Not sure where you hunt but I find a lot of hardware--nice bright shinny nuts--like yours pictured and even a bolt with washers and nuts. I think I have found a big silver ring each time...nope!
Most of the stuff I found in the wood chips at the park. I guess the hardware came from maintenance crews. The wheat penny and the Mexican 20 cent piece from 1954 I found at an abandoned housing project.