Gerry in Idaho

Dave, I'm assuming you spend a 3 month winter in MX? Are you using a PI machine? Ye it is always nice to hear of others Success and gold to other ratio. Keep us posted.

Steve H. Yes I too feel those days are over. The gold (be it in jewelry or nuggets) is getting harder to find. Waterproof detectors are easily under $1000 and even the ones that can handle salt water well (as you know many can't, even though they are waterproof). Yes the TV shows YouTube (including my own videos from years past) and better pricing is allowing more people the desire to do it. Yes the tungsten, stainless and titanium rings are now so popular many of my sites are 50/50, I get 1 gold for 1 modern metal, but the problem as you know is the market value for those modern metals is nothing. Guess us old timers will have to learn to adapt. I've had many 10+ gold rings trips with a few 15+ and even a monster trip where a buddy and I killed it with over 7 ounces. I'll try to find the photos and do a post this winter when things are slow.

It was this day a week ago I was on many planes (4 to be exact) trying to get back from Caribbean to Boise, ID. Not only was it quite exhausting, but the beaches had been detected pretty good by others. I could tell the 1st couple hours I was in for some hard hunting. I checked with a lifeguard and sure enough, he said folks with detectors show up almost weekly now. Heck I just watched a video of someone who was at the same place I was. Oh well, at least I did quite a bit better than they. But I still did not meet my expectations for the trip My 1st trip to the place was approx. 10 years ago and I dug 100+ coins a day and probably 3 rings each day. This trip was not even close and I don't think I even found 100 targets. Now I will admit this too. Right after the 1st day, I was so sour realizing my minimum expectation of 10 gold was not going to happen, so I kind of let off the gas a little and spent more time with the wife, slept in each morning and did the casual hunt (4 to 5 hours). I told my wife. "You know, I expected 20 pieces of gold with a minimum of 10". She said I should not be so cocky. Maybe she has a point!. But honestly I always try to think "scoop ass and take names later". I do it when I hunt gold nuggets, when I do Civil War and old coin hunting as well. You know...maybe I am a bully with a detector? Anyway, Here are my jewelry finds from approx. 20 hours of detecting. Total of 12 rings with the photo of my hand and the index finger showing the 5 rings with gold on them. 1st is stamped 14K and is 3.5 grams, 2nd is a pretty design ring stamped 14K and is 4.2 grams, 3rd (my favorite) is 9.6 grams and stamped 18K PLAT (yes it is both), next ring is 7.2 grams and it is 925, but I can see the gold heart between the hands. Last gold ring near my fingernail is 14K weighing 3.7 grams. Next finger has the modern Tungsten with some inlay, another plain tungsten and then 2 sterling rings. Last finger shows 3 cheap rings. Managed to pull a couple belly tinglers, an ear ring and a sterling star fish. Equinox 800 with stock coil in Beach #1 Mode. I run SENS around 17 most of the time and when I get around 20 the little "Warning" triangle appears. Well I did not do what I had hoped and didn't even get near my low expectations...but I did add a few more to my collection, got some sun and enjoyed the rum. Until next time....

Some pretty good finds Mitchel. You must be a Dig all targets, kind of guy, or is it just the style for the site you encounter that day?

Nice golden gem there Phrunt. I have dug a few nuggets that read negative most of the time, but on occasion I get the 0 or 1. When I see the occasional 0 and 1, sometimes a #2...but most are mixed in with negative numbers, I check it out and especially in a known small gold area. On a side note, did you happen to swing over the same spot as you pulled the little gold nugget in the video, to see if there was another target around it. We have found hot rocks and cold stones to throw the VDI #'s off, if near, below, next to and or on top of a nugget. I'll share a nice one I found with my EQ-800 in the next week probably. It's a dandy for sure. Thanks for sharing.

Doc, You did it again and certainly will put another smile on my wife's face. She says if it helps to recover the G spot sooner... I need 2. One for left and the other for the right hand. Your product is known worldwide and the catchy names of the accessories are 100% of what keeps many folks from not getting lost in our memories. Swingy Thingy, WOT = Wonderful Orange Thing, G Screamer, Scrotum Pouch (I was told they are real), Fatal Dog, Nugget Stash, Amazing Qweegle, just to name a few. The quirky names is what helps set your products apart and for the 25 years that I have known you, I feel it is right on. On a side note, when they come in let me know as this product will easily sell in my shop, and even get a smile or two from the ladies.

Good to hear your voice again Rob. Certainly gold in that area as the amount of workings, the numerous targets and of course the tortoise there to protect the gold. Nice video.

For the Basin, that specimen is more solid than the typical ones I have seen come from there. Quite impressive Peg and thanks for sharing.

I think that was approx. 15 yrs ago. around 2003 or 2004.

Thought I'd share a few more Idaho gold finds.

Here is another Idaho find.

Show us a few of your ID pieces Lunk.

As for N or S Idaho. You are in luck. There is detectable gold in both regions. Here's a book that should be in your collection. Notice the top 2 photos came from me.

Glenn, Colorado is kind of like Idaho. Stunning geology with great gold, but hardly unknown to most folks. I know your research has produced some amazing finds as well. One of these days, you'll need to post some of those Colorado Picasso's.

Most of you are aware of gold being found with detectors in NV, CA, AZ, AK and even OR or WA on occasion. But the majority (including many who live here in this geological wonder of a state) do not know much about or detect for the elusive Au in Idaho. So I've decided to share a Holiday Special with you, as it is Golden as glee can be. This little glimmer of Au comes in on my postal shipping scale at 1 pound 5.7 ounces = approx 22 oz which is then turned (if my math is correct) to 20 ozt. I did not get a specific gravity test done, but can assure you this astonishing mosaic is about 97% Au. History of this discovery. I'll not provide the name of the finder or site for security purposes. It was found with the Eureka Gold and I know many good pockets of wire gold came from the area. it was unearthed at a location already mined and was missed by the old timers. It is one of the biggest pieces of Idaho gold I myself has ever seen, but I have heard of larger pieces coming from the area. To put a twist on it and to add some beauty to this post, I'd love seeing some of your Idaho Au diggings. No worries about size, value or other as I would (and I am sure many others) enjoy seeing some more Idaho gold.

Even if the visions on something new come out in 2020, I feel the majority of us will not know how well it actually performs in the field until 2021. So my personal "Vision of detector" (to keep with the theme) is taking my favorite models that are already proven and I have "Visions" of more Adventures with friends and recoveries of Treasures in 2020. My 2019 Success was pretty good and I'll post some of that later. So my 2020 Vision is to enjoy the proven detectors with friends/adventures.

That one is so cool Againstmywill. I love how the crown is isolated. Thanks for sharing.

You'll have to excuse me as I don't get on the jewelry site much, but I found an interesting one. On my recent beach hunt in Caribbean I scooped this little darling. What I find interesting is the symbol, as I have seem many of these when visiting England. In fact I'm most certain in years past, I have found one in sterling and last year found one in MX that was gold. This one is sterling with a golden heart. Anyone else find these style and types of rings? I'd love to see others finds and the variety of them.

The ring is a beauty. Well done.

Nice variety of digs my friend. Interesting as how some folks will tell you that gold jewelry is never crusted over or does not tarnish. Thanks for sharing.

Even though you did not get to check it off your list (at this time), at least you found gold and quite a bit of other nice jewelry items too. Keep at it and sooner or later it will happen. Thanks for sharing and nice pics too.

Stunning discovery Lunk and certainly a $$$ nugget. You have upped my game now as I have yet to score a 3 some...with gold anyway. Gold Diggers don't count either. Job well done my friend.

We have recovered some amazing Chevron Gold in NV.

I feel like you do about the 7000. It is much more sensitive than a GPX and that is why I don't like using a GPZ when the ground is wet. If I am detecting in areas where max depth is not an issue, then I have no problems.

In winter, if ground is dry and frozen, I can still do OK. In the Spring when soil is saturated, my settings need to be dumbed down and it is almost impossible to get good depth. I prefer sawtooth or one of the many other areas in the Spring as I am crazing and covering ground.