Can Metal Detectors Find DIAMOND?


Can Metal Detectors Find Diamond

Finding diamond or other precious stones or jewelry is probably the best thing that could ever happen to you while metal detecting! Isn’t it?

But, Can Metal Detector find Diamond? Yes, it is totally possible to find diamond while metal detecting. Yet not directly as it doesn’t have any metallic composition. In fact, this gemstone is mainly a mineral (a solid form of carbon). Instead, you can find it while detecting for other elements like Gold or when it is set in a metal ring or filling.

It is very important to be aware of techniques and conditions that would make you easily detect Diamond or any other gemstone.

You will also need to identify diamonds and conserve them well. So you will preserve them and enhance their value.

Also, as gold leads generally to gemstones, I am sure you will enjoy this gold detection guide! I’ve put lot of time writting this article to give you a blue print on the right way to approach gold prospecting …

Key Takeaways:

  • Metal detectors are able to find diamonds set in metal but not diamonds alone because of their composition.
  • Gold-rich areas, volcanic pipes and high-traffic public parks are prime locations to find diamond.
  • Accurate identification and proper cleaning of diamonds are must-have skills to preserve their value.

Locations Where you will likely find Diamonds …

Now that you are aware that detecting this gem is possible, let’s have a look at what locations and conditions you are likely going to find it!

While looking for Gold nuggets: Places where there is gold are likely to have different kinds of gems including diamond.

Volcanic pipes: Places in which there are volcanic pipes have a generally with highly mineralized soil and rich with all kinds of gemstones, gold and other jewelry elements. Make sure that in this region volcanic erosions have happened before!

Parks: Many statistics confirm that each year rings, watches, bracelets, neckless and other jewelry holding diamond on them are lost. Those numbers are just the ones that were reported! You can imagine what the real numbers could be …
After you get the permission from local authorities, target Parks that frequently hold events. Just like concerts and circuses … Then you will have higher chances finding something highly valuable.

Old trading sites: Try to read through the history of some sites that were holding trading activities before. Keep in mind that valuable Gems were commonly traded for other things …

Farmer fields: This might seem weird, but farmer fields are a great opportunity. In fact, the farmer plows the soil which moves it around and would bring the valuable finds closer and closer.
Obviously you will need permission!

Do you need a specific Metal Detector for Diamond?

Garrett AT Gold

Diamond is one of the elements that metal detectors can not detect directly!

However, as I’ve mentioned before, gold and diamond are usually found in close or similar locations …

… So, your best friend would be a Gold Metal Detector!

Indeed, it has a proper sensitivity not only for gold with significant size, but also for little nuggets. Make sure, that the detector has a pretty high depth detecting as these kinds of minerals could be found really deep.

Generally Gold detectors operate pretty well in mineralized soil, yet make sure this condition is checked!

A good option that you can start with to hopefully find some gems is “Fisher Gold Bug Pro”. Even if it has the word Pro in the name, it is still newbie friendly with a very low weight (around 2.5lb).

Of course there are others that you can try out … And my preferred one is this detector that you can check at Amazon!

How to Identify Diamond While Detecting?

I have to be honest here! The purpose of this paragraph is not to make you an expert of identifying diamonds. Because it is pretty much an art that needs many years of experience to master!

Yet, there are many indicators that you need to be aware of in order to be confident about your find …

Expert Tip:

Thermal conductivity tests are highly effective to distinguish real diamonds from imitations. Keep in mind that Diamonds disperse heat rapidly … You can breathe on the gem, and notice if the fog dissipates instantly, it so, it’s likely authentic!

… I will break down some of them; hopefully this will be helpful for you:

Test the Density: An authentic diamond has a very high density! You can verify that by dropping it into a glass of water. If it floats this means that the stone is fake, otherwise, there are high chances, it is a real diamond.

Test its resistance to high temperatures: Diamonds and gemstones generally come from volcano eruptions. So they are resistant to very high temperatures. You can test that by heating the stone with a lighter and then dropping it in a cold glass of water. If it breaks, this means it is just fake.

Test its reaction to UV light: If you put the stone under UV light, it should give out blue light to make sure it is pretty real. But keep in mind that this doesn’t always occur unless you using advanced equipment that jewelry experts have.

Use a Diamond Tester: It is a little equipment that you can use on the go while metal detecting. All you have to do is to place the needle on the stone, then with a signal it will indicates whether it is real or not.
Heat moves through a diamond differently than other gems. The Diamond tester detects how fast the heat is conducted and signs off when the rate corresponds to diamond.

You might think that this device is expensive, yet it is not really the case. You can check its Price at Amazon …

How to clean Diamond and Gemstones finds

Cleaning your find is a very important step of the overall process that you just can’t overlook! Indeed, by doing so, you will preserve it and enhance its value.

In addition precious stones tend to look dirty over time due to touching, which could affect its value.

Of course you can outsource the cleaning to a professional jeweler. This would ensure a proper work, yet this might be risky by giving somebody something which could be highly valuable! You know what I mean …

This also could include a pretty high cost that you need to afford depending on the credentials of the jeweler.

However, I totally recommend going for a professional if you don’t know what you are doing! Indeed, you could damage the precious stone permanently which is a total disaster!

You can use significantly warm water to clean your stone, in many cases it is enough! Otherwise, if the surface doesn’t appear sparkling the way it should be, you can use cleaner liquids dedicated for jewelry or even natural dish soap.

If these DIY techniques don’t seem to be working which I highly doubt. Then, you better visit a qualified and trustworthy jewelry professional.

Know the value of your Diamond Find …

Recognizing how valuable your diamond find is crucial! By doing so, you will make from it a much more profitable deal!

As I’ve said before, you can let a professional do the job for you! Yet, many of them won’t tell you the truth … And you know why they would do so!

Of course I am not telling that every one of them is nasty, but according to my most experience I felt that way!

That’s why, I recommend you check it yourself to have a better idea before having it checked within a professional! You know what I mean …

For that you will need a high led professional jeweler loop (You can check it at Amazon to know what it looks like!) in order to detect carbon particles. If you notice many black spots with pretty big diameters, this means a pretty low valuable stone. Otherwise, if the sports are much smaller, this means it has much better value.

If you can hardly notice or not notice any carbon dots at all! Then you are probably having an exceptionally precious diamond between your hands!

Keep in mind that these kinds of loops are not that expensive, around 15 dollars.

If you find the stone set on a ring, then you can recognize its value by the ring itself. For this you’ve got 2 different indicators:

The ring metal: if it made out of silver, then there are few chances the set up stone is a diamond. This is not always the case, but it is pretty rare to have this gem on silver ring.

Carat Weight: a ring with a stone could have a specific number that indicates its weight in carat. If it is the case check how much a carat of diamond costs in your country to determine the total value of the stone.

After you’ve identified an approximate value of your precious stone, you will have an edge negotiating its price afterwards.

Countries known by Diamond …

If you have international mobility ability it would be interesting to dig for some diamonds! So take note:

  • Russia: It has probably the richest diamond and gem resources.
  • Australia: One of the leading producers of this valuable stone.
  • Canada: You’ve probably didn’t think Canada would figure in this list, yet it is a diamond rich country!
  • South Africa: Probably the richest diamond country in Africa.

You can check this complete list of gem and diamond producing countries to have a better idea.

Other Gemstones you can find using a Gold Metal Detector

Diamond is just one gemstone that you can find among many others! That’s why, it is crucial as a hunter to know other valuable stones you get find.

Peridot: Sometimes called Olivine, it is a breathtaking green gemstone you can find near gold. There is regular peridot which is found pretty easily and there is the gem-quality olivine which is rare but much lovely and valuable.

Sapphire: It is a fascinating blue gem consisting of a mineral called corundum. This gem could be found on different colors, this depends on some other minerals that may influence that. Yet the other colors are beautiful like pink and even black.

Garnet: is a dark red gem commonly found in highly mineralized soil. In addition, this stone is an even better indicator of Diamond than gold itself. That is, if you find garnet, chances are, you are very close to some diamond stones with high value.

Of course, there are other gemstones that you can find during the process. So be aware of that, otherwise you may miss great opportunities!

Conclusion

I hope you’ve learnt something new and that you are aware of the high possibilities you may have! After accumulating months of practice and experience you will easily figure out creative ways hunting for diamonds and other valuable stones!

If you’ve found this content valuable, don’t hesitate to share it with other people so they will learn as well.

(By the way, I’ve heard that 3D Detectors can actually find gemstones directly, they are expensive, but they to a tremendous job! I’ve written this 3D detectors guide, in which I give you most of what you should know!)

Finally, if you are interested to know what you machine is capable of in term of finding valuable metals … Then you should definitly have a check at an artcile about what detecting machines can find … You will certainly learn a lot there!

Carissa Harmer

Carissa is the huge metal detecting enthusiast that loves collecting coins. She is also highly interested in other treasure hunting activities like magnet fishing and gold prospecting/panning.

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