Can a metal detector find gold nuggets?
Verdict summary
Yes. Detectors built for gold, either high-frequency VLF models or pulse-induction (PI) models, find gold nuggets. Small flakes and fine gold are too small to detect and are recovered by panning instead.
Gold country soils are often full of iron minerals that make detectors noisy; gold detectors have ground balance settings to cope. Pulse-induction detectors reach deeper in mineralised ground.
Much of the gold in dry regions such as Arizona, Nevada and Western Australia is found by detecting old dry-wash tailings and shallow gravels.
Sources: Detector manufacturer technical documentation.
How deep can a metal detector detect? Most hobby metal detectors find coin-sized objects down to about 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) in typical soil. Larger objects can be detected deeper, and pulse-induction machines and large coils reach further, while mineralised soil reduces depth.
What is the easiest state to find gold in? California and Alaska are usually the easiest US states for beginners: both have many gold-bearing streams on public land, including free recreational panning areas. Nevada and Arizona have abundant gold too, but it is mostly found by metal detecting and dry-washing because water is scarce.
Primary sources cited
- Detector manufacturer technical documentation