When you imagine taking the day to hunt with your metal detector, you’re hoping to find some kind of treasure to take home with you. Whether that means valuable metals or even things like gemstones and jewelry, it can be exciting to hear those telltale beeps that signal treasure is waiting for you. It can be particularly exciting to think you might come across valuables like diamonds or other priceless gems.
But can a metal detector be used for locating diamonds? Typically, metal detectors won’t detect non-metals, and since diamonds don’t possess metallic properties, they cannot be directly located with your device. However, what a metal detector can do, is direct you towards indicator minerals for diamonds, or it can aid you in finding diamonds that have been set in metals.
If you’re really hoping to find diamonds, we can help you learn how to identify them and the other gems you might find during your hunt. We can break everything down for you so you can be prepared for your next adventure.
What are diamonds?
A diamond is a naturally existing gemstone formed through the metamorphosis of coal. They are mostly found in areas that have experienced volcanic eruptions and erosion in the past. They can also be found within rocks and debris that have been carried away by streams, glaciers, and rivers. In their natural state, diamonds look just like normal rocks and appear in a variety of shapes and sizes, but are often small.
Locations Where you will likely find Diamonds
There is a multitude of places where you can find diamonds, ranging from more complicated to more general areas. They can be a bit difficult to locate, but these are some of the most common places you’ll be able to find them.
Gold-bearing fields
You should consider starting your search in areas where you’ll find gold or where there have been gold mining operations in the past. This is because gold is found within other precious metals and gems. This means that by following the indicator minerals for gold, you’re likely to not only find gold nuggets but also diamonds and other valuable metals.
Volcanic pipes
Because diamonds are made from coal that has been pressurized. Volcanic eruptions are one of the most common sites for finding those coal deposits and thus it is easy to discover diamonds in these places. You can use indicator minerals such as chromium garnets and magnetite to locate volcanic pipes and be able to find diamonds.
Parks
According to statistics, there are thousands of diamond watches, rings, bracelets, and other jewelry lost each year. These figures are also only for the ones reported missing, meaning the real numbers would be surprisingly high. So, you can take advantage of that and target beaches, parks, pavilions, golf courses, and other outdoor places where events are held frequently.
However, you should seek approval from the local authorities before metal detecting in these areas.
Old trading sites
Market areas that used to hold trading activities are also great places to search for diamonds. This is mainly because gems were some of the more commonly traded items in those days. So, it would be best if you do some research to find out where to find some of these places before setting out.
Do you need a Special Metal Detector for Diamond?
As earlier stated, diamonds and other gemstones are most often found in gold mining fields or gold-bearing places. This means that if you’re looking to hunt raw diamonds, your best bet is to use a metal detector that specifically identifies gold.
Gold detectors are more advanced than all-purpose metal detectors due to their higher operating frequency. They also have an excellent detection depth and higher functionality in mineralized soils. As such, a gold detector will help you to easily detect indicator minerals for gold and will likely lead you to where you’re likely to find diamonds.
On the other hand, you can use an all-purpose metal detector if you’re looking for jewelry that has diamonds attached to it. The best all-round metal detector can help you to discriminate unwanted targets and target the specific metals used on diamond jewelry, which include copper, platinum, and silver. This will allow you to find diamond jewelry much faster and without spending hours in the field searching or digging out trash.
How to Identify Diamond While Detecting?
There are certain tests you can do to ensure your find is diamond rather than ordinary stones, or that the diamond you’ve discovered is real. However, this shouldn’t be considered conclusive as to better confirm the authenticity of diamonds requires someone with lots of expertise and advanced equipment.
Here are some of the indicators and tests you can use to verify that what you’re carrying home is an actual diamond.
Test the Density
A real diamond will have a high density. To confirm this, you should carefully drop the stone into a glass of water. If the stone floats, then it’s fake. But if the stone sinks, there is a high probability it’s an authentic diamond.
Test its resistance to high temperatures
Diamonds consist of incredibly strong material and will be resistant to high heat. You can confirm that by heating the stone using a lighter for about 60 seconds and when holding it with a set of pliers before dropping it in a glass with some cold water. If it shatters, then it’s fake, as this shows it has weaker compounds. An authentic diamond will remain intact and won’t show any reaction or cracks.
Use a Diamond Tester
This device helps you to verify the thermal conductivity of gemstones and can be carried with you while detecting. Once you’ve placed the tester’s needle on the stone, it will detect the rate at which the stone disperses heat. If the rate corresponds to that of a true diamond, it will signal using a diamond indicator like a green light or a sound.
Other Gemstones You Can Find While Metal Detecting
Besides gold and diamond, there are plenty of other valuable gemstones you can encounter. That’s why it’s important to know what other treasures you’re likely to come across so you don’t leave anything truly spectacular behind on accident.
Some gems you might end up finding are things like:
- Peridot: Also known as Olivine, this gemstone appears in a striking green color and it’s often found in gold-bearing fields.
- Sapphire: This gem is often blue but the color may vary greatly depending on the minerals present in the field you’re detecting.
- Garnet: Often found in places with highly mineralized soils, this gemstone is also a good indicator of diamonds. If you see it, there is a high chance you’ll find diamonds nearby. It’s dark red in color and mostly used in making of jewelry.
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Conclusion
While a metal detector cannot directly locate diamonds, if you’re equipped with the right knowledge, a quality metal detector, and the ideal location, you’ll be surprised what you can dig up. Keep your eye sharp and select your location carefully so you can create your ideal situation for finding what you want to. You may just go home with plenty of exciting gems you didn’t even expect to find.
