Ever breezed through a metal detector only to be stopped because of your white gold jewelry? What’s the science behind this? Let’s unravel!
I used to wear a white gold bracelet when I was a teenager. As a boy scout, I had to attend so many conferences and exhibitions regularly.
Most of these events have a secured entrance where everyone will be checked before being taken in. I always get detected while going through their detecting machines.
I wondered why I was getting detected all the time even though I’m not wearing any gold because I knew that gold is usually detected.
This question was stuck in my head until I met an experienced detectorist from my hometown.
This was his answer to my question, Does white gold set off metal detectors?
Yes, white gold set off metal detectors since it is a mixture of gold, nickel, palladium, or silver which are known as detectable metals. Detectors identify white gold more easily if there is a higher percentage of pure gold in it than the other metals.
I finally found the answer to my question.
But since I was able to interview him for so long, I thought of sharing everything I got to know with everyone.
So if it is interesting, continue reading.
Can Metal Detectors Detect White Gold?
Yes, of course. Metal detectors can detect white gold since it is concise of detectable metals like gold, nickel, palladium, or silver.
It is a mixture of gold with other metals which is high in conductivity. The metal detectors detect metal based on conductivity.
The composition of conductivity is different according to the percentage of gold available in the metal.
The maximum gold percentage that can be in white gold is 75%.
Gold is highly conductive and therefore, any white gold jewelry that has a high percentage of gold in it is more sensitive to the metal detectors.
The detector also has to be a good one in order to detect even a small amount of gold in an alloy.
Best Metal Detectors For White Gold
There are detectors that have specific settings that can be set up to detect white gold.
Here’s a list of the best available metal detectors that are perfect to detect white gold,
- Minelab Equinox 800
- Garret AT Pro
- Fisher CZ21-8
- Garret Ace 400
- Teknetics T2 Classic
- Fisher Gold Bug Pro
- Minelab GPZ 7000
- Minelab Gold Monster 1000
When choosing a metal detector for white gold, it is better to consider the below factors,
- Sensitivity
- Frequency
- Ground balance
- Discrimination
How To Detect White Gold?
White gold can be detected by the detectors since it has pure gold in it. Gold is highly conductive and detectors can easily recognize it.
The sensitivity of the metal detector depends on the percentage of gold available in the white gold jewelry or object.
Here’s the procedure for detecting white gold accurately with a metal detector,
- Find a suitable metal detector
- Choose a suitable location
- Adjust the settings of the detector
- Move the detector on the ground according to a pattern
- Analyze the signal and check for the target location
- Cut a plug around the analyzed area
- Detect the plug and dig out the object
To get a clear idea of what is done on each step, let’s elaborate on them a little.
1. Find a suitable metal detector
A good detector with sensitive settings is a must to find the objects. Therefore, it is better to get a detector that is suitable for detecting white gold.
Some metal detectors are there in the market which are specifically designed for detecting gold. They are capable of detecting even the smallest amount of the alloy.
So be cautious when making the decision of buying a detector to find white gold specifically.
2. Choose a suitable location
White gold is commonly used in jewelry making. Therefore, these can only be found where the people are.
Select a place where people visit the most and tend to lose jewelry. Parks, beaches, and other public places would be perfect.
3. Adjust the setting of the detector
White gold jewelry is usually small. So in order to detect them, the settings of the detector should be adjusted accordingly.
The sensitivity must be increased and the discrimination should be decreased to increase the chances of detecting small pieces of white gold jewelry.
4. Move the detector on the ground according to a pattern
Begin the process by slowly moving the detector on the selected ground in a methodical pattern.
Sweep the detector in straight lines and move it back and forth in an arch shape until the signal sounds.
Try different angles to make sure that the entire targeted ground is covered.
5. Analyze the signal and check for the target location
When a signal is given, check how much the conductivity is.
White gold is highly conductive and if the signal shows something low, it probably might not be a target.
Just in case if the conductivity is shown as high, the digging can be started in order to locate the source.
6. Cut a plug around the analyzed area
The metal detectors can also determine how deep the object is.
Read to know, How Deep Can a Metal Detector Detect Gold?
In order to dig out the object, mark the exact location that the signal came from and cut a circular shaped disk in the area. This is known as a plug.
Pull over the plug and keep it aside.
Detect the dug out area and the plug in order to make sure that the object is located within the plug.
7. Detect the plug and dig out the object
Put on the gloves and gently break the plug into pieces. Feel through the soil to identify any object.
Once the object is found, detect the plug pieces again to make sure there are no other objects.
Once it’s over, make sure to put back the leftover pieces of the plug into the hole again and press it firmly to help the ground recover.
The above method is suited only if you have a working metal detector. But what if you don’t have one?
Don’t worry! read this article for the best alternative methods of detecting gold without a metal detector!
Valuable White Gold Finds
Here’re some popular white gold finds that can be collected during metal detecting,
- Rings
- Earrings
- Bracelets
- Necklaces and pendants
- Watches
Now, I’m going to share with you some tips that I leaned from my experience to get promising results when detecting white gold.
Tips For Detecting White Gold
In order to make the detection successful, it is essential to follow up some tips and tricks.
So here are some tips that I mostly use to increase the chances of finding a treasure!
- Use a suitable, high-quality detector specially designed for gold detection. Some metal detectors have specific settings that are suitable for detecting small white gold objects.
- Research the area well that is planned to detect before starting. The areas where jewelry is commonly lost or discarded will be perfect. If it is a public place, make sure to check if there are any restrictions or permissions needed to do this.
- Pay attention to the mineralization of the ground. Because the highly mineralized areas can interfere with and affect the detector’s accuracy. This will make it hard to detect small targets like jewelry.
- Use a detector with a small search coil as they are more sensitive to finding smaller targets.
- Patience and slowness are important while detecting. Searching for small objects is time-consuming and challenging. Move slowly while scanning and do it in a methodical pattern in order to increase the chances of finding something or avoid missing any targets.
- Use high-quality headphones to hear very small signals that might probably indicate the presence of white gold.
Differences Between Detecting White Gold and Yellow Gold
While both white gold and yellow gold contain gold as a base metal, they differ in their composition, which can influence their detectability by a metal detector.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is a mix of pure gold and alloys such as zinc and copper.
The yellow color comes from the higher percentage of pure gold, which is naturally yellow.
When it comes to detecting yellow gold, it’s generally easier due to the higher concentration of gold.
Pure gold is highly conductive, which makes it easier for metal detectors to locate.
Read to know, Does Gold Set Off Metal Detectors?
The signal response from yellow gold tends to be strong and consistent because of its high conductivity, and it’s less likely to fluctuate.
Therefore, the detector will usually give a clear and strong signal, especially when the gold is closer to the surface.
You can find gold in specific areas only, usually around lakes and historical areas.
White Gold
White gold is a mix of pure gold and white metals such as palladium, nickel, and silver.
The resulting alloy is then often plated with rhodium for a shiny finish.
Detecting white gold can be a bit trickier due to its composition.
As white gold has other metals in its composition, the conductivity can vary based on the proportions of these metals.
The other metals used in white gold, particularly nickel, are less conductive than gold.
Moreover, the rhodium plating often used in white gold jewelry can sometimes interfere with the conductivity, making it harder for the metal detector to give a strong signal.
That being said, white gold can still be detected by metal detectors, especially if it has a higher gold content or the detector is designed or adjusted specifically for gold detection.
As you can see, while both types of gold can be detected by metal detectors, yellow gold may provide a more consistent and stronger signal due to its higher gold content and conductivity.
In contrast, detecting white gold may require more careful calibration of the detector or specific detectors designed for gold detection due to its varied composition and lower conductivity.
What if I told you there’s a way of hiding your gold from metal detectors? Cool right! Read to know the best methods to hide your gold from metal detectors.
Now I’m going to share with you some useful tests to avoid getting caught up with fake white gold since there’re so many metals that can mimic white gold.
If you don’t have advanced metal detectors, you might get fooled. Don’t worry! I got you.
No need to buy an expensive tool for that.
Detecting Fake White Gold Finds
White gold is a popular material for jewelry, but due to its value, it’s also often counterfeited.
As a detectorist, you need to be aware of this and know how to tell the difference between real and fake white gold items.
Here are some ways to do identify real white gold,
1. Understanding the Hallmarks:
One of the first things you should do when you find a piece of jewelry that you believe is white gold is to check for hallmarks.
Real gold jewelry is usually stamped with a hallmark that indicates its purity.
For white gold, you might see stamps like 10K, 14K, 18K, or 750 (European marking for 18K).
However, keep in mind that counterfeits can also carry these markings.
Therefore, although the presence of a hallmark is a good sign, it’s not definitive proof that the item is genuine.
2. Conductivity Test:
Since white gold is an alloy that contains gold and other white metals, it has a certain level of conductivity.
Most metal detectors can provide a conductivity reading when they detect an object.
If the object’s conductivity matches that of white gold, it might be a genuine white gold item.
However, many metals can mimic the conductivity of white gold, so this method is not foolproof.
You might need to carry out further tests to confirm the item’s authenticity.
3. Magnet Test:
Real gold, including white gold, is not magnetic. Therefore, one quick way to test if your find is genuine is by using a strong magnet.
If the item is attracted to the magnet, it is likely a fake made of other metals.
Again, this is not a foolproof method, as some fake items might be made of non-magnetic materials.
Plus, some genuine pieces of white gold jewelry might contain small parts made of other metals (like clasps or fastenings) that could be magnetic.
4. Weight Test:
Gold is a heavy metal. If you compare a genuine gold item and a fake one of the same size, the gold item should feel noticeably heavier.
This can be hard to judge without a comparison or a precise scale, but it’s something to keep in mind.
5. Acid Test:
This is a more definitive test, but it requires special materials and can potentially damage the item, so it’s generally best left to professionals.
The test involves applying a small amount of acid to the item.
Genuine gold will not react to the acid, but many common metals used in counterfeits will.
6. Professional Appraisal:
If you’re still unsure about the authenticity of your find after these tests, or if the item is particularly valuable or intricate, you might want to consider getting it appraised by a professional.
A jeweler or metal analyst can perform tests that are more accurate and less destructive than those you can do on your own.
Congrats folks! Now you know everything about, does white gold set off metal detectors and how to detect treasures so well.
An astounding number of treasures have been unearthed over the years with metal detectors. One of the most significant finds is the Boot of Cortez, the largest existing gold nugget from the Western Hemisphere, which is made of 389.4 troy ounces (12.1 kg) of white gold and was found in the Sonoran Desert in Mexico.
www.ha.com
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Does white gold react with environmental factors?
No, it is one of the least reacting alloys with the environment. Which means it does not react with oxygen.
I’m allergic to nickel. Can I still wear white gold?
No. White gold contains a certain amount of nickel. So if someone is having allergic effects to nickel, better stay out of white gold.
Is white gold a natural metal?
No, white gold doesn’t occur naturally. It is a mixture of gold, nickel, palladium and silver.
Can white gold be recycled?
No, it is not possible because of the different metals used in it. It also can cause pits and brittleness once refined.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Does White Gold Set Off Metal Detectors?
In this article, I’ve deeply discussed everything that I’ve known about white gold detection, the best metal detectors to detect white gold with tips and tricks.
If anyone has a question about does white gold set off metal detectors, I hope they have found answers.
White gold can set off metal detectors. It’s composed of gold, often mixed with other metals like nickel, palladium, or silver, all of which are detectable. The detector’s sensitivity to white gold increases with the percentage of pure gold in the alloy.
Detecting white gold is somewhat challenging as it is a mixture of several metals and since the objects are very small, they will barely produce strong signals.
But with the right tools and techniques, it will be much easier to increase the possibility of finding a piece of white gold.
With practice and patience, anyone can become a pro at detecting white gold with a metal detector.
Comment down below if there is anything else needed to be known. I’m happy to write back!
