question......

[Old Katz]

I've noticed that the gold I have found in the lower range on the MXT 2,6,8,10 is usually
not very good quality. Here is one I found in the foil range today. Am I wrong or is the better quality rings and gold items in the upper
numerical range?
Katz

 

[Larry (IL)]

Are you sure that is gold? Is it marked? It looks like it is rusting and gold does not rust. Normally our jewelry finds are 10 or 14 Kt and the VDI does not vary that much between the two. The VDI on gold will vary more on the mass of the targets. I found a large men's class ring that VDI'd at 68, other men's rings in the 40's and small ladies and child's rings as low as 10. Wedding bands around the nickel range. Gold earrings from 1 to 5 VDI and segmented bracelets in the same range.

 

[Old Katz]

Someone suggested it may just be gold plated but wouldn't gold plate also
remain untarnished? After all Gold is GOLD.
Katz

 

[Larry (IL)]

Yes, unless the plating wore off exposing the base metal.

 

[gilfordberry]

As Larry has stated, gold seems to vary more from mass than from purity. My wife has a 24 karat 1 oz bangle that you would think would blow your ears off, but it vdi's so low (less than 15) I didn't even pick it up with my xlt (had it discriminated out). That's when I learned that if you want to get gold, you've gotta lower the accept range on vdi. I think pure (24k) gold vdi's very low, while the addition of other metals (especially silver) raise it higher. I found a very heavy white gold 10k ring that vdi's about 65, two gold watches (womens watches with gold case and band, one 14 and one 1 both sang out in the penny range...

Most small gold rings that I have found were in the nickel range...around vdi 19 or so.....

 

[Monte]

that were a little different size. Both of them gave an ID, on an XLT and then on an XL Pro, that was just abut 1

 

[littletwig]

This was a great post with lots of very good information. Thanks