High & Low Detector Frequency Questions

[Ham]

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?

 

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[RW]

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]

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.