Gold prospecting is a popular hobby that gives you a chance to get rich while you explore the beautiful outdoors. With the advancement of technology, the gold prospecting equipment of today helps you spot even the smallest bits of gold with great ease. If you’ve always wanted to try your hand in gold prospecting, but simply didn’t know where to start – read on!
This modern-day trend lets you get some physical activity and quality time in nature on top of the possibility to score a bit of the precious metal. Contrary to popular belief, researchers report that both land and water are teeming with gold – it only takes good preparation and persistence to find it.
Metal Detectors
Using a metal detector for gold prospecting is one of the more sophisticated methods. Metal detectors weren’t always as advanced and practical as they are today. Scientists were experimenting with the concept of making a device that locates metal underground ever since the mid-19th century. The first prototype had a purpose to locate and separate bullets from human patients and was crafted in 1874.
What are the Advantages of Modern Metal Detectors?
Modern metal detectors are advanced technological devices that pinpoint even the smallest traces of gold with extreme accuracy. These are powerful and versatile devices that are easy to use – whether you’re looking for an innovative metal detector for beach or any other type of terrain.
They’re durable, lightweight and waterproof, with some models even allowing you to go gold hunting underwater. You can submerge them as deep as 1m, which gives you more opportunities of finding gold while also cooling off under the hot summer sun.
These devices traced all kinds of metals, minerals and other substances in the ground in the past, which made them difficult to use for gold prospecting. However, the modern beach metal detector is based on a new multi-frequency technology and has several detection modes. This means that you can switch between modes and even input custom search patterns that save you from the constant beeping any time you run into a random object. While older models could operate on either low or high frequencies, modern detectors cover the whole spectrum of frequencies, detecting both larger and smaller targets.
They come with a variety of useful features that help you pinpoint the exact location of your target. This saves you a lot of time and patience in the hot summer temperatures. They have clear LCD displays that allow you to easily navigate the devices. You can adjust features such as noise cancelation, ground balance, volume adjustment, threshold level, target tone etc.
If you’re often irritated by getting tangled up in corded headphones, you’ll be relieved to find out that these detectors come with wireless headphones that make your prospecting more convenient. The metal detector for beach of today is practical to use. Its lightweight structure allows you to easily pack it up for your trip and hold it for extended periods of time while prospecting.
How do Gold Sluices Work?
Another popular method for gold prospecting is by using a gold sluice. This is a hand fed, non-powered piece of equipment and it’s made of a long tray that is open at both ends. The gold and other heavier materials are separated from the sand using the constant stream of water. Modern gold sluices come with a sluice cube that additionally helps with the separating of the materials.
Most sluice boxes contain riffles that are evenly spaced perpendicularly along the sluice. The riffles act as barriers. When the material passes through the sluice, the heavier particles accumulate behind the riffles. To start processing the material, you need to drop it at the upstream end of the sluice. At first, the riffles will fill up with the material, but it will soon start migrating down the box, leaving black sand and potential gold behind.
Basic Gold Prospecting Tools
Before you head out the door, don’t forget to pack all your essential gold prospecting tools. These include:
- Protective boots and clothing.
- Sunscreen, potable water, and food.
- Gold prospecting pan.
- A classifier.
- One large and one small shovel.
- Gold prospecting license.
- A map and a reliable compass.
Gold pans are the most basic and effective pieces of equipment. They come in handy for separating small pieces of gold that are hard to spot. Today there are various designs of gold pans available. The most popular ones are made from high-impact plastic. The classifier is a utensil lined with mesh at the bottom. You place it over the gold pan and drop the sand and soil. A classifier helps separate the lighter from the heavier material.
Tips and Advice for Gold Prospecting on the Beach
If you’re a beginner in gold prospecting, the first thing you need to remember is that, as with all things, you will need to be patient and persistent to improve your skills. Set realistic goals for yourself and don’t get discouraged on days when you can’t find anything valuable. The fact is that a lot of prospectors have days when all they can dig up is trash. Always remember to bring a spare bag to collect the trash you dig up.
Even if you don’t find any gold, you still help in the fight against pollution. In order to get better at prospecting, you will need to do plenty of research. Examine articles and gold maps of the area and have a chat with the locals. It’s even better if you manage to get in touch with other, more experienced prospectors that can teach you useful tips about this hobby.
To pick the best area for this fun hobby, look for places with a history of gold findings, and have a high-quality detailed map with you at all times. This will save you hundreds of dollars in gas, as well as time and effort spent processing soil that doesn’t have any gold in it. Make sure that the area where you’re planning to prospect allows such activities. Many properties ban gold prospecting, so make sure you’re on the right terrain to avoid legal matters.
