Ever unearthed an object and wondered if it’s bronze? How would your trusty metal detector respond? Let’s delve into the fascinating world of detecting bronze!
When I was new to metal detecting, I didn’t really know how to identify different metals once I found anything.
I wanted to learn the differences between each metal and how to identify them. One such metal I was confused about is bronze.
I always had this question about detecting bronze with my metal detector. So, I’ve researched about this and went for experts’ advice.
Here’s what I learned about, Can metal detectors detect bronze?
Yes, metal detectors can detect bronze even if it doesn’t have high conductivity. Bronze is an alloy that contains copper, tin, and other metals in small amounts which are able to react to the electromagnetic field produces by the coil of the metal detector.
I have learned some more facts about bronze. So I thought of sharing them here with you as well.
If you’re interested in reading, the rest of this thread is for you.
Will Metal Detectors Detect Bronze?
Yes, metal detectors detect bronze.
Bronze is made out of conductive metals. Metal detectors work by creating electromagnetic fields which will interact with the conductivity of these metals.
This will cause the detector to emit signals that will indicate the presence of metals.
Bronze is a non-ferrous metal and all the non-ferrous metal can be detected by metal detectors.
When bronze is contacted with the detector, the electromagnetic field produced by the coil of the detector will react with the conductive metals in bronze.
This will cause changes in the electromagnetic field of the detector and this change is detected by the metal detector and indicated through a voice or a visual signal.
Surprisingly, this same detection procedure happens when detecting brass with a metal detector since it is also a low-conductive metal.
The detecting ability of bronze also depends on the sensitivity of the device as well as the size of the bronze object.
Do you know that bronze is a non-magnetic metal that can be detected by metal detectors.
Is Bronze Magnetic At All?
Though bronze is a metal alloy, it’s not magnetic.
Bronze is made from copper, tin, and other metals. None of these metals are ferromagnetic. This means that they don’t have magnetic properties like iron.
But some types of bronze may have weak magnetic properties due to the presence of some magnetic metals.
These are known as ferromagnetic bronze and are rarely used.
Best Metal Detectors For Bronze
- Minelab Equinox 800
- Garrett AT Pro
- Fisher F75
- Nokta Makro Simplex+
- XP Deus
- Teknetics T2 Classic
- Bounty Hunter Platinum
- Whites Spectra V3i
- Fisher Gold Bug Pro
How To Detect Bronze?
With the right techniques and experience, detecting bronze is very simple.
Here’re the steps you need to follow when detecting bronze,
- Research the site
- Choose the right metal detector
- Select the right search coil
- Adjust settings
- Look for the best spots
- Identify unique signals
- Search patiently and find the object
So, let’s discuss each of the above steps in detail to detect bronze effectively.
1. Research the Site
Before starting to detect bronze, researching and finding a perfect location is a must.
You can look into old maps, photographs, or other resources that will help to find an exact location with bronze artifacts.
2. Choose the Right Metal Detector
Next important thing is choosing the correct detector to identify bronze objects.
Any metal detector can of course find bronze.
But if the detector is highly sensitive, there are a lot of chances for the detection to be more accurate and effective.
3. Select the Right Search Coil
The size and shape of the coil also affect the accuracy and sensitivity of detectors. A smaller coil is more effective in detecting small bronze artifacts.
A concentric coil will pinpoint the targets easily as well.
4. Adjust Settings
When it comes to the settings, make sure that you adjust the detector’s sensitivity, discrimination, and ground balance according to the area.
Increase the sensitivity and decrease the discrimination in order to make the accuracy level higher.
5. Look for The Best Spots
Usually, bronze artifacts are located in clusters.
A few objects can be found in the same place.
So if you find one object, there’s a good chance that you’ll find more from the same place.
Read to know the, Best Places to Find Bronze when Metal Detecting
6. Identify Unique Signals
Bronze gives unique signals when it’s detected. It produces a high-pitched sound that differs from other metals.
Finding bronze or any other metal from the ground takes some time and therefore, you have to be patient.
Now you know the best method to identify bronze with a metal detector.
So, let’s talk about valuable bronze finds you might find when metal detecting.
Valuable Bronze Finds
Bronze artifacts have been named as valuable since ancient times and even today, they are highly in demand among collectors and museums.
There are several types of bronze items that are valuable.
Bronze Coins
Most of the collectors love coins and they even buy them even for a higher price. These coins have a historical value and are pretty hard to find.
Hobbyists are also much focused on detecting bronze coins as they can be sold for a very high price.
Bronze Cutleries
There are ancient and valuable cutlery items such as spoons and dishes that are made out of bronze.
These are displayed in museums representing different eras.
Musical Instruments
Many musical items that belong to the ancient times as well as the present world are based on bronze.
Saxophones, cymbals, bells are some of the instruments that contain mostly bronze.
Mirror Frames
Ancient mirror frames are built with bronze. These have beautiful art running all over the frame.
These frames are valued due to these artworks that belong to different eras.
Artifacts
Many artifacts including statues are made out of bronze. Greece, Africa, and India can be known as the main countries that have bronze artifacts.
Let’s see how to clean and preserve the bronze finds you collected.
How To Clean Bronze Finds?
To avoid any degradation or harm to the artifact, cleaning bronze discoveries takes finesse and close attention to detail.
You can safely and successfully clean your bronze artifacts and preserve them by utilizing the right cleaning techniques and equipment.
Remove Dirt
Gently remove dirt with your fingertips first. If there’s more, use a soft brush to remove any excess dirt.
Don’t use hard bristle brushes or scrapers that will harm the metal surface.
Use water
Clean with running water first and let any dirt dissolve. If there’s more, soak overnight in warm water.
Try your best not to use soap. But in case there’s more dirt, use soapy water and clean it.
Use wax
Protective wax is available in stores that are specifically made for artifacts. Once the object is cleaned, apply a layer of wax on it in order to prevent tarnishing.
Avoid chemicals
Some chemicals can react with bronze and remove its value. Therefore, don’t use any chemicals on them.
What Are The Different Types Of Bronze?
Did you know that there are several different types of bronze?
Bronze is mainly an alloy that is made out of copper and tin. But sometimes there will be other different metals added to it.
These elements will change the properties of the alloy which leads into creating different types of bronze. Here are some of the most common types of bronze alloys,
Aluminum bronze
This is formed by mixing aluminum and copper. This is corrosion-resistant and has excellent strength.
It is used in marine applications, aircraft parts, and heat exchangers.
Phosphor bronze
The combination of copper and phosphorus in this alloy increases the metal’s tensile strength, resistance, and corrosion resistance.
It is used to build electrical connections, springs, and fasteners.
Silicone bronze
This alloy has silicone and copper and small traces of manganese and zinc. It is very strong and resistant to corrosion.
Silicone bronze is used in architectural hardware, marine appliances, and sculptures.
Manganese bronze
This alloy is a mixture of copper, tin, and manganese. This metal alloy is also corrosion resistant and therefore, it is used in marine environments, nuts, and bolts.
Rose bronze
This alloy has around 85% of copper content and a small amount of zinc and silver. It has a pinkish-red color and this alloy is commonly used in jewelry.
Nickel bronze
Copper and nickel are the main metals that are used to create this alloy. This metal has excellent strength and is resistant to corrosion.
It is commonly used in manufacturing marine castings and sculptures.
Alpha bronze
It is a type of bronze alloy that has about 95% of copper. And the rest of the 5% is mostly tin.
This is a tough and hard metal. These characteristics make it ideal to use in creating machinery, tools, and bearings.
Does Bronze Set Off Metal Detectors At Airport?
Yes, Bronze can set off metal detectors at airports. Bronze is an alloy that is a combination of metals.
If you’re carrying bronze jewelry, coins or any other object, they will be detected by the airport detectors and you’ll be asked to declare them to security for further inspection.
These items will be sent through an x-ray machine and checked further in order to ensure that they are safe to bring on board.
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has specific rules and regulations that govern the items that can be bought on an airplane.
So check the website before bringing anything to avoid any trouble.
How Can You Tell If Jewelry Is Bronze?
There are techniques that can be used to determine whether a piece of jewelry is made of bronze.
But if you’re hesitant and want a more accurate evaluation of your jewelry, speak with a qualified jeweler or metal expert who can determine the metal type through testing and analysis in a lab.
Here’re some tests you can try out to confirm if the jewelry is bronze,
Markings
Most of the real bronze jewelry has markings that indicate the metal. Check if Brass rhodium (BR) or Bronze is engraved on the jewelry.
Color
Bronze has a red-brown color. If the jewelry has this color it is mostly made of bronze.
Magnet test
Bronze has no magnetic effect. So if the object does not attach to the magnet, it is made from bronze.
Scratch test
Scratch an unnoticeable area of the jewelry and see if there’s a bright red color under the scratched spot. If it is, then it’s probably bronze.
In order to identify bronze, you can use any of these methods.
How Can You Tell If Something Is Copper Or Bronze?
Both copper and bronze are reddish in color. So it is challenging to distinguish between these two metals.
But there are a few methods that can be used to identify Copper and Bronze separately.
Color Difference
Copper has a bright and shut red color. But bronze is darker and has a muted tone.
Markings
Most of the jewelry and antiques have markings engraved on them telling what is the metal type.
Patina
Copper develops a blue-green patina over time because of oxidation. Bronze also develops a patina that has a greenish-brown color.
Magnet Test
Copper is not magnetic. But bronze has a slight magnetic effect.
So if a magnet is brought near these metals, bronze will react and get attached to it while copper will not.
Scratch Test
When scratched, copper had a reddish-brown color. Bronze can give different hues that include green and brown shades.
By using the above methods, these two metals can be demand distinguished. For an accurate assessment, you can even seek the help of a professional.
Congrats folks! Now you know can metal detectors detect bronze and how to identify bronze easily using proper techniques.
Bronze, primarily an alloy of copper and tin, has been used by humans for over 5,000 years, with the earliest known artifact, a small frog from present-day Iran, dating back to around 3,500 BC.
www.science.gov
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Is bronze recyclable?
Yes. It can be melted down and reused to make new products.
Why is bronze used to make bells?
Bronze has a sonorous effect. This makes it perfect to create loud instruments like bells.
Does bronze change its color with time?
Yes. If it is contact with air and water constantly, it can oxidize and change color over time.
Is bronze magnetic?
Generally, bronze is not magnetic as it is primarily composed of copper and tin, neither of which are ferromagnetic. However, certain types of bronze, known as ferromagnetic bronze, may exhibit weak magnetic properties due to the presence of magnetic metals.
How can I improve my chances of detecting bronze with a metal detector?
Ensuring your metal detector is highly sensitive, choosing the correct search coil, adjusting your detector’s settings appropriately, and thoroughly researching your site can significantly improve your chances of detecting bronze.
Are there different types of bronze that my detector could find?
Yes, there are various types of bronze, including Aluminum bronze, Phosphor bronze, Silicone bronze, Manganese bronze, Rose bronze, Nickel bronze, and Alpha bronze, each composed of different elemental mixes.
How can I tell if my jewelry is made of bronze?
You can identify bronze jewelry by looking for specific markings, observing its color, conducting a magnet test, and performing a scratch test. For a definitive identification, consider seeking a professional jeweler’s advice.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Can Metal Detectors Detect Bronze?
In this article, I’ve deeply explored can metal detectors detect bronze and identification tips and techniques.
Metal detectors can indeed detect bronze. This is because bronze, being a metal alloy primarily composed of copper and tin, responds to the electromagnetic field generated by the metal detector’s coil.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
If anyone like me has the question Can metal detectors detect bronze risen up in their mind, here’s everything you need to know.
I guess I have covered everything up about bronze. But if you have any interesting facts to share, feel free to comment below.
Until next time, keep searching for bronze treasures!
