I found an 18th century gold ring today!

[smokeythecat]

I am still cleaning up the finds. Was with another T-Net member at a 17th century site in Maryland. There used to be a lot of old buildings on the property, dating from the 17th to 19th century and two remain. We went round and round and round the farm, and in the river, did some mudlarking (and mud slipping), and through the marsh, and up the hill....and the ol' cat here can hardly walk now. As we were leaving the marshy area, there was this lone pine tree on a tiny hill (or hummock), just barely 3 feet or so above sea level. We started detecting around the higher area, figuring we would head into the corn field which has a much higher elevation and a more likely spot for a house. Halfway through the raised area of land I got about an 83 on the Deus. It was a solid, repeatable signal. I was using the Deus Fast mode, tracking balancing and 28Khz. Gotta love that high frequency coil. I already have three rings in the bag for 2018. I just kind of shook my head as ring #4 comes out of the ground. It was broken. Oh, well. But I can tell it's definitely made of gold, looks to be 14k. There was a stone in it, but the stone is long gone. Well, after another few hours of digging (see the other thread, please), I got it home and started to examine it carefully. The thing is karat gold. It is 100% handmade. The farm there was established in the 1600's and due to the type of workmanship on this ring and style I believe it to be an 18th century man's ring. It probably would not have had a diamond in it. The photos I hope show some of the original workmanship. This is the first piece of 18th century gold I have ever found. I are pleased. Use the zoom feature to see the handiwork on the piece!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[smokeythecat]

Yes, I am a gold magnet. I dug this ring on the little mound of dirt, and not a big mound at that, I thought maybe it was dozed there, and just shook my head. Of all things! We were looking for War of 1812 items, not gold. I did find a gold ring in my lawn, and then months later a silver ring. A few weeks ago I found a silver ring in my friend's lawn. Was shocked at each. And then I guess last weekend, which week is which is getting problematic, I got that cute silver and CZ ring locally. All the other rings I have ever found have been at beaches. 2017 and now 2018 are the years of rings in the grass.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[CRUSADER]

Personally not convinced at the moment its an 18th C style, probably 19th C. IMO. Still old gold

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes Crusader, I'm not sure of the age, except I didn't make it har har har. But gold is gold. Either century, it's the oldest gold jewelry I've ever found.

 

[Aureus]

Whatever it's age. A very nice find! Congrats!

 

[smokeythecat]

I'm tempted to get it repaired, but I'm afraid they'd break it like they did the last broken ring I dug. This one is a much heavier ring, so it might hold up, but there really isn't sense in fixing it.

 

[Wrecka]

Nice find . i would of sifted 100 cubic metres of dirt to find that stone though.........

 

[smokeythecat]

It is possible the stone is still there, but it could be any kind of stone. I looked for the rest of the ring and dug all targets within 20 feet of it with no success.

 

[hbru123]

Awesome find! Congrats!

 

[Phishfindr]

Congrats on that gold ring! Really interesting find!

 

[Relicific]

That's a nice ring.
Congrats

 

[Echoplex]

Wow, awesome ring! Congratulations! A photo of the inside of the ring, specifically under the mount, would help determine the casting technique and help date it. As others have said, likely not 1700s (wrong color, atypical fluting on sides, refined mounts). Man, it's been too long since I've found a nice gold ring like that. I envy that feeling of seeing it in the dirt for the first time!

 

[Carolina Tom]

Well done STC, you've been on quite the roll lately. Good luck, and don't forget to rest a little bit too.

 

[dirtlooter]

awesome finds, I was surprised that you were using the lower freq, seemed like you had been using the much higher one. of course it could have more to do with relic hunting. no matter the age, very cool gold and congrats

 

[pepperj]

Well done on the latest gold.

 

[b3y0nd3r]

I would say it's 1920's art deco design.

 

[CASPER-2]

I would agree with Scrappy - late 1800s possibly -just one example but Ive found a lot of old gold over the years
most early gold rings in US were made from coins - ergo higher karat of gold

 

[CASPER-2]

..my example though high karat is not 18th cent. - its late 1800s - just to be clear

 

[The Urban Prospector]

Old gold.....love it!
Congratulations!!

 

[smokeythecat]

My gold test kit just came in today. Next project, test the thing. (There were no instructions in the kit.) I also agree not 18th century. The place where any hallmarks would have been is gone. Hey, would you get it restored?

 

[Truth]

My gold test kit just came in today. Next project, test the thing. (There were no instructions in the kit.) I also agree not 18th century. The place where any hallmarks would have been is gone. Hey, would you get it restored?

Why not...you only live your once.

And then you can just look at it. Awesome old gold my friend.