What Materials Block Gold Detector Sensors?

What materials block gold detector sensors? Metal detector users aim to find valuable items buried underground, such as coins, jewelry, and of course, gold. But are there any materials that can hinder metal detectors from finding gold?

One of the best materials to block gold from a metal detector is iron. A considerable amount of iron can make a metal detector overload. Electrically conductive minerals, soil minerals, and iron underground pipes can also interfere with a metal detectors’ signal.

What Materials Block Gold Detector

Metal detectors seem to be a fool-proof method of finding valuable materials like coins, jewelry, and gold. This electronic device consists of transmitting and receiving coils that send alerts once it detects the presence of metal.

Despite the seemingly fool-proof design, metal detectors cannot detect everything buried underground.

However, it is essential to note that you cannot prevent metal detectors from finding gold signals. Instead, you can only use other materials to mask gold signals from getting detected.

So, what materials block gold detector sensors?

Materials That Can Block Gold Detectors

Masking Gold Signals with Iron

Iron does not have similar characteristics to gold. But it is one of the best metals to set off a metal detector. So, if a gold nugget has a large amount of iron near it, the iron will mask its signal. As a result, the metal detector will not detect the gold buried underground.

Moreover, the materials that block gold detectors include iron, as mentioned. The reason is that the device overloads when large quantities of iron are present.

Electrically Conductive Minerals

These materials can come from burning mineral fuel leftovers, such as slag, fuel coke, and clinkers. These minerals typically have a wide signal. For this reason, they can mask the signs that gold nuggets release, making it difficult for gold detectors to find their targets.

Soil Minerals

Oxidation can alter the ground balance in areas with an intense fire. As a result, it can be more difficult for gold detectors to detect their target.

A common term in metal detecting is Hot Rocks, it designates soil that has high iron and mineral content. This plays havoc on a metal detecting requiring ground balancing and sensitivity tuning.

Iron Drain Pipes

Iron drain pipes are usually present underground. As mentioned, a large amount of iron is one of the materials that block gold detectors.

So, if you are looking for gold in an area with an underground pipe, the pipe will make it impossible for you to find your target.

Only a few materials block gold detectors from finding gold nuggets. However, other factors can defeat metal detectors from locating their target. That includes:

Depth of the “Target”

Suppose the gold is buried at least 8 to 10 ft. In that case, it will be more difficult for the metal detector’s receiver coil to receive its electromagnetic field.

Skill and Effort of the Detectorist

Gold that is buried relatively deep is difficult to find. But suppose the operator does not exist enough effort to expose the detected metal. In that case, they will not find the gold underground.

Searcher Reburies the Item They Found

There are times when the detectorist digs a find only to discover trash.  However, the detectorist needs to double check the hole.  Often times the trash will hide the gold buried under it.

Does Aluminum Set Off a Metal Detector?

Yes, aluminum conducts electricity so it creates a magnetic field. There are two types of metals – ferrous and nonferrous both can be found with a metal detector.  The key is the conductivity, which provides the electric field that metal detectors respond too. 

On the other hand, nonferrous metals, such as gold, silver, copper, and aluminum, are non-magnetic. They are lightweight and more malleable than ferrous materials, perfect for making wires for electronic applications.

Metal Detectors do not find metals using magnetism. Instead, it utilizes electrical conductivity. These devices send magnetic pulses (think frequency waves) into the ground not to locate magnetic items. The magnetic pulsations from the detector induce an electrical current to create a magnetic field, even on non-magnetic metals.

After a metal detector creates a magnetic field on the target, the receiver coil will send it to a sensor, alerting the user of metal found.

That said, metal detectors can detect metals, even if they do not contain iron. That means aluminum will set off metal detectors. For this reason, it is not one of the materials that block gold detector sensors.