Metal detectors work by transmitting an electromagnetic field from the search coil into the ground. Any metal objects (targets) within the electromagnetic field will become energised and retransmit an electromagnetic field of their own. The detector’s search coil receives the retransmitted field and alerts the user by producing a target response.

All metallic objects. Example: gold, silver, iron, nickel, copper, brass, aluminum, tin, lead, bronze. Metal detectors will not detect nonmetal items such as gemstones, diamonds, pearls, bone, paper, or stone figures.

Modern metal detectors are designed to be user friendly and are very easy to learn and operate. Most metal detectors have large display screens with numerical target ID's that help you identify what your target might be before you dig it up. They can also discriminate between iron (junk) or potentially good targets, as well giving you other information such as target depth and size.

How do metal detectors work?

What types of things will a metal detector help me find?

Are metal detectors hard to use?