July 4th Deals Are In:
FREE Mystery Bundle with $100+

Gold Metal Detectors

Prospecting for gold with a metal detector is one of the most exciting and profitable hobbies today. Here at Kellyco, we offer a huge selection of metal detectors capable of picking up the smallest gold nuggets. With gold detectors from brands like Garrett, Minelab, and Fisher, there is no reason you can’t be finding gold. With all of the new gold hunting metal detector technologies, it has never been a better time to be a prospector.

To find the right gold detector for you, read our Best Metal Detector For Gold Guide, and for more tips on other metal detectors, read our Best Metal Detector Guide.

Set Descending Direction
  1. <
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. >

Can Metal Detectors Detect Gold?

Of course metal detectors can pick up gold! With today’s improved technology, it has never been easier to pick up small gold pieces. The process of how metal detectors detect gold is actually quite simple if you don’t go into too much scientific detail. Very low frequency, or VLF, gold metal detectors work by sending out a magnetic field. Once a metal object is detected, the machine will pick it up, sending a signal to the control box, causing an audible signal. It really is that simple, and there are many metal detectors that are excellent for this job.

How Deep Can a Gold Detector Detect?

Figuring out how deep a metal detector can detect gold is a hard thing to do. It depends on many variables such as ground conditions, different brands and models of metal detectors, different search coils, the size of the gold nugget, and what the ground mineralization is like. While most machines are capable of at least 6 inches on coin-sized targets, some small gold nuggets can be hard to pick up at even a few inches, if they are very small. On the other hand, large gold nuggets could be found up to over three feet deep! Generally, the rule of thumb is that more frequency means less depth, but in some cases, some metal detectors are powerful enough to have an adequate operating frequency while being able to find deep buried treasure.

Best Metal Detector for Gold

There are so many great options on the market today for gold detectors that it can be hard to decide between them all. For anyone interested in gold prospecting, there are a few features you should be aware of. One of the biggest features is picking a machine capable of higher frequencies. High-frequency is important, as it can pick out smaller objects such as tiny gold flakes and nuggets. Another important feature is a ground balance option, as ground conditions are different for each area. All metal mode is great, as it allows the user to hear the real tones of the metal. You can’t go wrong with both a waterproof machine and a search coil that is specifically made for gold metal detecting.

There are many machines that are make for excellent gold metal detectors. Many love the Garrett AT Gold, the Minelab Equinox 800, the Fisher Gold Bug, any of the Garrett ACE machines, the Minelab CTX 3030, and the Garrett ATX. If you are looking for a cheaper entry into the hobby, consider any of the Bounty Hunter metal detectors, as they provide excellent bang for your buck. For more tips, read our guide on our favorite gold metal detectors.

Where to Look for Gold with a Metal Detector

Now that you have picked out a gold metal detector, it’s time to line up some places to hunt. In the United States, many prospectors like to metal detect for gold in addition to panning for it. Add some relic hunting into the mix, and you will be sure to have a great time in the field. Some excellent places to go treasure hunting for gold nuggets are mining claims and private property that gold has been found on. You must receive permission before doing this of course. One fun way to combine relic hunting and gold prospecting is to go to any old farmstead, potential Civil War site, and any other wooded patches or creeks. If you hunt along these long enough, you will be sure to find some nice buried treasure!

Shop By Manufacturer