Hobbies And Interests
Beachcombing
Searching for items on a beach is called beachcombing. Rings and coins are common finds by beachcombers because different activities such as applying sunscreen, undressing and shaking beach towels cause people to accidental lose items. Perhaps the simplest way to search for lost coins and rings is to just walk the beach while staring at the sand, examining any items that catches your eye. However, there are more efficient ways of finding rings and coins.
Metal Detecting
Ideal for finding rings and coins, metal detectors use a magnetic field to locate hidden metallic items. Because many coins and rings lost on a beach are hidden by the sand, metal detectors can locate items hidden to the eye. Metal detectors give off an audible signal when metal is discovered. With different settings, it is possible to find different types of metal, from gold rings to silver coins.
Dry Sand
Different types of sand require different methods of metal detecting and beachcombing. While the tide on some beaches washes over most of the sand, on many beaches an area above the tide-line is always dry and this is where people sunbathe and play games. Finding rings and coins in these dry sand areas is easier because the tide doesn't move them around. When beachcombing or metal detecting above the tide-line, forming an imaginary grid over the area, checking each section methodically will ensure you cover every spot.
Wet Sand
Because of the tide, wet sand areas are in continuous flux. If the area below the tide-line is large, there may not be enough time before the tide comes in to scour it all. Because any coins and rings deposited in wet areas continuously move with the tide, this means any areas already checked before the tide comes in could still yield finds. When using a metal detector on wet sand, lowering the sensitivity will reduce the amount of false signals and prevent wasting time.