GOLD! And it was neither coin nor ring!!!

[wildwilly]

Wonderful find. Can't remember the last time I found gold. Recently found a wadded up gold colored condom pack. In the middle of a 300 acre field. Sure makes you wonder......

 

[Ronstar]

Metal is everywhere, treasure is what you make it!

 

[Odanscoils]

Bear with me guys, I done it!!! My first gold!!
I had some time to kill this morning so quickest place to hit is the green beach known as those blasted intramural fields at the University. Started out slow, a game token and a few clads mostly nickels and dimes. One quarter. Walked across the field to dump my $$$ in tabs and foil seals and started back across towards my truck. Had a hot date with the neighbor lady to ATV out to the plum patch to pick plums.

In the middle of the fields is a gravel road that leads out to the old parking lot by where the baseball field used to be, been there forever. Halfway out is a quadrangle set up of four small backstops for ball diamonds. As I crossed the road and moved over to the other edge the F75 went bang on a solid 20 (foil) hit. I’ve done enough of these now to not get excited. Swept it again, 20. No give and strong clear tone. Moved 90 degrees, 20. Kept going in a circle and it kept saying 20. Depth said 2-3” so put handheld Garrett on the ground. Beep!!! I seemed to be getting two separate hits with both the F75 and with the Garrett. Two pieces of bottle foils???

Usually the bottle foils, gum foils, and the like will bounce a little between 18-22 and have that bit of a chirp on the tone, whatever this was 20, clear, no chirp, and the size of a travel mug in my mind. Curiosity now has the cat.

This spot is road bed, 3/4” minus on top and 1” plus base rock under and Im literally on the edge. First attempt with trowel was a no go, period. Tried Lesche shovel and maybe 2” and stopped. Thought seriously about walking away but we all know if it’s hitting clear and consistent then go for it. Looked like maybe I could slide horizontally under it so tried that and I was able to cut a wedge out. I’m working on an inch of sod and small boulders under it but the wedge lifted on the right corner. I see something goldish in color but cant tell exactly what. Garrett back on the ground and its solid for 6” total width.

Think. Continue with the horizontal wedge approach until I can lift the entire wedge piece upward. Holy S&$T I can see more gold color and looks like an unclasp bracelet!! Ok. Get picture!!! Now pull gently on the first piece I initially saw and this thing just kept coming out of the rocks and dirt. I swear it was two feet long total!! It was laying there in a 6-7” S shape, the more I pulled the more gold chain came out! Breathe. Its a necklace!!!! Cant see little letters but whip out cheap magnifying glass and 90% sure I can see 14. Its minorly dirty but no tarnish or discolor. Breathe.

Get to truck and head home. Take toothbrush and water and it still looks gold. Dry it, get 10x loupe and look at very end of chain where the smooth cap is attached, 14k and Italy. Same with other end, same marks. Honestly, nerves caught up a bit. Necklace is fully intact and clasp works, 20” total length tip to tip.Measures quarter inch wide and weighed 28.68 grams.

I almost walked away due to rocks and “probably” foil cap assumption. Thank You to the guys who pass along your wisdoms and experiences with this model machine. Keep posting your stories because it helps to picture the circumstances. Above all else, if you haven’t experienced a gold hit, it truly is a different sound and the number never budged at all. The confidence meter was high for foil so almost let that influence me as well. Keep on swinging..... it is out there!

Awesome find.
Congratulations

 

[utmike]

Great gold find and well told adventure! You earned and deserve that big ol chain considering the dues you've paid at that site. Congrats.

 

[Donna(NJ]

AWESOME find !!!! 28 grams is a monster. Must have been there a long time. Only found those size chains many moons ago.

One little tip, NEVER pull a chain out of the dirt. You were very lucky it was a big, wide chain. You basically just want to cut around the dirt and grass and carefully remove it.

It is an outstanding find. Glad it was all in one piece. Now the lobster clapse will cost $200 to replace !!!!

Trust me about replacing the clasp. I found a huge mens bracelet and gave it my brother. Clasp broke twice. Replace it now before you loose the chain !! That of course, if you intend to wear it.

WTG !!!

HH
Donna(NJ)

 

[hawgdawg]

Awesome story,, and congrats on the gold . This story is almost 2 yrs old ,, but a great story , and find .
How 'bout a recap,, did ya keep the necklace?? Fix the clasp ??
Congrats again. I'll bet you still remember pulling that chain from the ground like it was yesterday .

 

[Ronstar]

Hawg, it is in the china hutch along with all the other jewelry I’ve uncovered. So far I have only scrapped the bent/twisted/broken silver but I do have plans for all the other. The clasp was inspected by a jeweler who advised it was in very good condition and no damage.

 

[fwcrawford]

Very nice find… glad to see it is intact too!!!