What type of metal detector is best for finding gold?

Answer: It depends on your budget, and how serious you are about searching for gold. There are a range of metal detectors available on the market. To help customers decide what detector would best meet their needs, we have separated the metal detectors into the best in the following categories: 

• Beginner (entry) level: 

• Best Overall: 

• Treasure Hunting Detectors:

• Expert Metal Detectors 

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What are the key characteristics of the metal detectors? 

Answer: High-frequency Very Low Frequency (VLF) metal detectors are highly recommended for gold prospecting. These detectors are sensitive to small gold nuggets and can distinguish gold from other minerals.

Where should I start looking for gold?

Answer: Start by researching area with historical gold discoveries, or in regions with geological settings associated with gold.

Look for old maps, historical records, and topographic maps that show locations of mines and placer diggings. 

Joining local metal detecting clubs can also provide valuable insights. You can even instruct a geologist if you are considering establishing a medium or large scale gold mining project. 

What equipment do I need besides a metal detector?

Answer: Besides a metal detector, you'll need a pan, tweezers, a snuffer bottle, storage vials, picks, shovels and scrapers. These tools will help you extract and store any gold you find.

Also check out our Prospecting Equipment page for more information and equipment on gold prospecting.      

What are the best places to search for gold?

Answer: Look for areas near old mines, rivers, streams / creeks where gold has been found before. Historical sites, old transportation routes, parks, and former market areas are also good places to start. 

How deep can a metal detector find gold?

Answer: The depth depends on the detector's power and the size of the gold nugget. The detectors listed in our Expert Metal Detectors section are more capable of searching for a broader range of gold types, and are capable of penetrating deeper into the ground to search for occurrences of gold.  

High-frequency detectors can detect small nuggets close to the surface, while low-frequency detectors can penetrate deeper but may miss smaller nuggets.

How do I recognize a gold signal on my metal detector?

Answer:  It depends on the metal detector. Once a detector identifies a target within the range selected by the user, a loud deep / sound shall draw the user's attention to the location of the find.  

The more expensive metal detectors normally have an option for gold prospecting. If you are using this type of metal detector, a gold signal often has a distinct tone compared to other metals.

Get used to your detector by practicing with different types of metal so you can  recognize these tones. You shall then be able to identify when you have found gold.

What techniques should I use when searching for gold? 

Answer: Use a grid search method to cover areas thoroughly. Dig carefully using handheld tools to avoid damaging any gold nuggets. Pay attention to areas where gold is likely to accumulate, such as bends in rivers, streams and creek beds.

Check out blog posts and YouTube channel for more useful information and resources. 

Can I find gold in areas that are not considered hotspots? 

Answer: Yes, gold can be found in unexpected places. While hotspots increase your chances, gold can be discovered almost anywhere if you're thorough and persistent in your search.

How long should I spend searching in one area? 

Answer: Spend enough time to thoroughly cover the area. This can vary, but a good rule of thumb is to spend at least an hour in each grid section to maximize your chances of finding gold.

Is there any action I must take before searching for gold?

Answer: Once you have decided where you want to search for gold, you should investigate if there are any restrictions on using the land (i.e. privately owned / government owned). You may have to request permission and / or obtain a licence before searching for gold. 

Check out our blog posts and / or the Education section to learn more about the possible requirements.