Gerry in Idaho

Merry Christmas Allen.   

Is this the same Al I used to see each year at the Competition hunts back in the early 90s and was also with Steve Burris?

Very interesting read and poem.  Probably true story as well. 

Kind of like the American story of Robin hood. 

Thanks for sharing. 

I don't recall if you mentioned needing Iron Identification, but all the VLF class detectors you did mention, have that feature. 

If you're set on a PI, I feel the best priced model is the Axiom and as mentioned, it has more capabilities and Iron Identification, the GPX-6000 or GPZ-7000 don't. Now that we know the price increase coming up on the 6/7 models, more folks will lean towards the better priced Axiom.  Bonus, the Axiom coils are a better price point as well. 

24K, It's my favorite VLF Gold Only Detector and quite capable.  But you mentioned Equinox.  I personally will grab an Equinox or Manticore over the 24K. They can do things the 24K can't. 

Some great advice from top nugget hunters, so you get plenty to digest. 

Keep us posted on your decision. 

It really is a nice size and design, my favorite for rough terrain. 

You took the time to share your thoughts and experiences and it paid off. 

Well done my friend and glad you are as happy as most of my own customers who have had great success with it as well. 

That's some serious house hunting.  Interestingly you recovered 2 earring backs as a bonus.  Wonder if the vacuum would have been strong enough to get the nugget considering it didn't suck up the earring backs?

I was hired about 5 yrs ago or longer, to find a diamond stud earring on shag carpet in a bedroom.  Started with GM-1000 and small coil.  To many nails in under flooring, to many tacks in carpet padding.  Tried turning down the Gain and that helped but no luck.  After deciding a pinpointer is best, I methodically worked the most promising area with no results and gave up, no charge.  

As I was leaving, the lady who lost it showed up and was excited to see the results...but I didn't find it?  

She was quite depressed. I felt bad...but then had another idea 💡.  Let me test the other matching earring to get an idea of the signal strength and distance the pinpointer would hear it.

Here's where I learned something. My favorite pinpointer, the Garrett 🥕 would not respond?

I asked to run and get a new tool to use.  She was joyous as she thought I was done.  Oh no, it's a challenge now. 

Returning back I tested the new White's TRX and was happy to hear it respond.  After about 20 minutes, I happily handed her the small precious piece. 

She gave me an extra $50 for my extra efforts, so total reward was $300 and I learned detector knowledge. 

Great on you for not giving up so soon.  As you know,  finding a nugget is special and so when you lose it in an area you know well, your mind kicks into overdrive.  Well done 👏 

3 hours ago, Compass said:

A once-in-a-lifetime find and truly inspirational - congrats on that beauty!!! I would imagine that there is a serial number on that ring so maybe Bulgari would help with a return? 

No serial # at all which is very interesting for a high end designer.  Maybe they feel they can sell more of them as the person who lost it could just purchase another?  I really have no clue as scooping designer bling rings is not something I do on a regular basis.

12 hours ago, Skull diver said:

I like parables seasoned with a little story....

In spite of beauty or monetary value, the real treasure is the meaning of that piece to the wearer.

 

Would love a happy ending and return to who lost it but my experience with resorts in Mexico and not wanting to keep a Lost & Found Log is frustrating.  I did go above and emailed cooperate when I returned, but no reply yet.  

Personally I feel the dentures are more appropriate to the rightful owner, but if I do get them back, it could be too late.

Either way, I like your comment "the real treasure is the meaning of that piece to the wearer".  Sure I may not get it back to the original owner, but it beats sitting on the bottom of the ocean for nobody to ever see again.  Eventually it will shine and shine a smile on someone's face/finger/neck as they proudly wear it.  

1 hour ago, Dan(NM) said:

Congratulations Gerry on a stunning find!! It doesn't get much better than and that's what every beach hunter hopes to find.  It is amazing that someone would wear something like that in water. I guess he needed to have his ego stroked by showing it off. It would be a crying shame if you can't find the owner   Thanks for sharing an amazing find.

One of my Facebook followers feels this ring was probably on a gold chain. If that's the case, the chain had to have broke. Either way, it's not sitting at the bottom of the ocean anymore. 

Thanks for the kind words. 

In the 15 years heading South, I've spent way more trips and dollars than many folks trying to learn MX and Bahamas.  My efforts have slowly been tuned and fine tuned even more to the point I now have expectations and usually achieve my goals.  This trip, the gold count was off (extreme rough seas) but the quality was better.  I had to use those dentures I found to keep biting myself....😆

Here's my 1st a BVLGARI ring recovery.  BVLGARI is an Italian world renown high end jewelry designer. It weights 13.5 grams, almost a half ounce of 18K yellow gold. Look closely at markings/stamps, perfect. I'm speechless each time I look at it.  I've seen this exact ring on different sites from $3100 to $3800 and just amazed why folks wear this kind of stuff to the beach?  Sure I have rings with higher value, but that's because of the stones, usually diamonds.

Nice to see you getting rewarded for your efforts.  Those 10K rings can easily tarnish and fool many of us.  Well done.

Nice to see you getting rewarded for your efforts.  Those 10K rings can easily tarnish and fool many of us.  Well done.

17 hours ago, mn90403 said:

That ring does look like it came from a hole.  A hole in the ear?

Buddy, you find one like that and I'll let you tell whatever story get you happy.  Close to 350 gold rings and I have never hit one like that until this trip.

23 hours ago, D&P-OR said:

Gerry-----You're liable to get a disease stickin all that stuff in your mouth!-----Take that ring fer instance---you never know where it's been! ha ha

You actually are correct.  Yes I have caught some type of virus while down there before.  It's part of learning when traveling.  Now I take a probiotic pill every day the week before and each day while there.  I also eat a yogurt each day a week before and eat yogurt each day while there. Plus I flush my ears each evening with hydrogen peroxide.  

Now I usually don't put rings in my mouth, but when I get a whopper, I know I have friends on DP who will not look at a pic of mine unless they get to see me stuffing it in my mouth.  Have to keep the members happy.

On 12/18/2023 at 8:03 AM, rvpopeye said:

I just gotta know Gerry......

Do you ever worry about sneezing with all that gold you put in there ?

 

What's the water temp down there ?  Ya look a bit soggy. 😎

So far I have never swallowed a ring or lost my dentures.  I have swallowed (in years past) a couple tiny nuggets I was holding under my lip since I didn't have a nugget holder.

There was actually a Warning Alert sent out while I was down there about a big temperature drop.  For 3 days of my trip, the air temp was colder than the water temp of 83 degrees.  I almost always hunt in the water not on the beach. 

8 hours ago, mn90403 said:

What is the Manticore incentive?

Get it now and save $100 as the price increase will go up to $1699.  Also, there is a Christmas Promo right now and get the ProFind 40 Pointer and a Minelab Detector Carry Bag for FREE.  So in reality, if you purchase a new Manticore before the price increase and before the Holiday Promo runs out, you could end up saving approx $330.

I was using the Manticore on this trip when I found the Chompers and the big gold ring.  13.5 grams and yes the last pic shows the details of the ring.

I can have the detector sent out and in time for Christmas is ordered in the next couple days.  If afterwards, that's OK but it will probably not show up until afterwards.

16 hours ago, rvpopeye said:

Looks like good craftsmanship.  I actually made dentures once probably cobalt /chrome  if there is metal . You'll need to floss !

But I'm curious.🧐 Do you put them in the good finds pocket or with the pop tops ? 

What were your settings ? 😜

One of my customers is a dentist and follows my FB. He said many in the US are now using Cobalt because of the cost for gold would be 3 or 4x.

That kind of bums me, as I literally thought I had a mouthful of precious metal. 

I'm going to keep trying to find the owner and if not able, then on one of my displays of weird detector finds. 

6 hours ago, Compass said:

Was your detector "falsing"?

It was talking up a storm....

Some of you don't see me on this part of DP much as I usually do my "Chatter" on the Prospector page.

I'm south of the border on vacation and scooped this toothless character.

Does it qualify for Jewelry as I thought it's gold or platinum?

Best caption wins, I'll start.

All I want for Christmas, is my dentures back. 

I'm trying to keep up with a little business while soaking in some tropical waters....and drinks 🍸 during my Annual across the border vacation. 

I was just officially informed that the United States is also going to have a price increase at the beginning of the year.

Hopefully it's not a big one but those who are thinking of getting a new detector might as well act now. Plus, there's some Christmas Promos.

Hard to tell how much of a bite it will be.

Interestingly, this find during the trip made me laugh so hard, some folks wondered what I dug that had me crying. 

I thought the metal in these was gold or platinum. Anyone on here in that field of work?

7 hours ago, donP said:

Wow, thanks for all the advice! I was thinking about buying a 900 just because, stock it's collapsible, the newest detector and will serve a better purpose? Or try to find a nice collapsible shaft for my 800. I believe the battery lasted longer on the 900? The charging cable on the 800 is a bummer as it's a special cable, is the 900 a usb c or something I can easily find? I guess that's Minelab though.

The charge cable is exactly the same on X-Terra Pro, EQ-600, EQ-700, 800, 900 and Manticore. I recommend to all my customers to also get the Minelab accessory Charger pack. It plugs into regular outlets and the back has room for 4 USB ports and are high capacity. 

If you get the EQ-900, it also has upgraded flexible quick release arm cuff, better wireless headphones, better waterproofing, vibrate handle for dirty water and comes with 2 coils.  It's really not much different than EQ-800 on the layout and functions. The digital numbers are twice as many. It's more accurate, but because of 2X the numbers, the readout jumps around on iffy and deeper targets.  I use my ears and tones myself.

7 hours ago, rvpopeye said:

Instant karma's already got you !👍

And the finds shine on......like the moon and the stars and the sun..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3qvosHHcWc

 

Surrounding myself with like-minded caring Karma people is a great way to live. 

Very good questions you posted.  I enjoy reading what others are saying and trying to see any patterns.

I'm not a beach detecting expert as I live in Idaho but I do go 2 or 3 times a yr to Tropical areas and am currently in Cancun as I reply. 

I don't hunt the beach myself, but prefer to stay in the water.  Been doing these trips each winter for 15 yrs and started with BBS, went to FBS 3030, then MF EQ-800 and now MF Manticore. 

Yes I have to GB my EQ-800 and Manticore and yes they are chattery detectors when compared to the BBS and FBS.

Yes the new MF detectors are more Sensitive to smaller gold earrings,  necklaces, pendants and more. I think the extra Sensitivity is also what causes extra chatter.  A VLF type gold nugget detector does the same thing in mineralized soils and I can find tiny nuggets, but I  hear more ground noise,  hot rocks and cold stones. 

Depth on gold rings and especially man's wedding bands.  I'm a firm believer the Excalibur and CTX-3030 are the Deepest VLF type class detectors I've ever used in Saltwater.  I have not ran a Deus or Deus-II yet but others say they're deep. 

I've yet to dig a gold ring with Equinox or Manticore in Saltwater that was over 10" but I've recovered dozens with Xcal and 3030 easily over 12" and a couple 14"+.  One particular band 18K that was 15 grams was probably closer to 16" depth.  I just can't seem to get great amazing depths with the newer MF Minelab’s.  But I am getting more thin band ladies diamond rings with MF.

Another aspect of water detecting I feel the Xcal and 3030 are better at.  Hearing a ring that's not directly under the coil.  The signal on the older detectors is drawn out and longer.  The EQ and Manticore are short and fast.  I prefer the drawn out response. 

Again,  I'm not an everyday water hunter but I have spent many hours in the water on my trips and back in the day, easily 8 to 10 hr days.  Now my older worn out body can barely do 6 and this trip it's been about 5 hr days. 

I do feel my gold ring counts are better than average. It took about 5 yrs before I got tuned into hoe to read the water, so my counts those 1st 5 yrs was not much.  The last 10 yrs I feel have been pretty dialed in. My gold and or platinum rings are just over 300 with 250 coming the last 10. I have friends who live near the coast and they have more than I, but mine are mainly from 2 or 3 trips each year.

Interestingly, I'm coming back down in a few months, maybe I just might pack the 3030 beast and see if I do in fact dig a couple Deep rings.

Great variety of saves.  You'll be needing a larger ring display box next year.  Keep it up. 

That # and those incredible finds are what many dream of. 

The weather and cut along with timing and your detecting skills all came together.  Well earned 👏. 

You put in all the efforts and was rewarded handsomely with a quite unique design. 

Interestingly, I recovered a similar design white gold ring in Dec of 2021. Of all the gold rings I've recovered, it was the 1st Square one.  

I think yours looks better and you certainly had a better story.  Well earned.