How to Detect Gold Nuggets

Purchase a metal detector that has an automatic ground balance feature. These detectors automatically sense the composition of the ground and eliminate iron and other metals that may be present. Thus, the detector emits a sound only when actual gold is found.

Purchase a set of good quality headphones to attach to the metal detector. Headphones will help amplify faint sounds from the detector that may otherwise be missed. The headphones should have their own volume control that is separate from the metal detector. Headphones can be purchased at a music supply store or anywhere that sells metal detectors.

Visit a location that is known to have veins of gold nearby. A link in the Resources section below provides a list of places where gold is known to occur.

Put on the headphones and plug the cord into the metal detector.

Hold the metal detector as close to the surface of the ground as possible without touching it. Turn the metal detector on and move it slowly over the surface of the ground until it emits a beep. The louder the beep, the larger the concentration of metal.

Set the detector aside and insert a shovel into the ground in the location. Dig out one shovelful of dirt at a time and examine the removed dirt for gold or other metal objects. If a non-gold object is found, check the site again with the detector and move on if no sound is heard. If gold is found, continue searching in he same general area, as gold nuggets usually occur in clusters.