LawrencetheMDer
Hero Member
- Feb 22, 2014
- 986
- 2,406
- 🏆 Honorable Mentions:
- 2
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Manticore, Minelab CTX3030 w 11" and 17" DD coils,
Minelab Excalibur II w 10" coil, Equinox 800 (4) w 11" and 15" coils,
Troy Shadow x2 w 7" coil, Pointers; Garrett Carrot, Pro Find 35,
- Primary Interest:
- Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
I posted the night before on TreasureNet that I was getting up at 5:15am, walking the dog and getting to the beach for a full day (8 hrs) of metal detecting by 7am. I followed through on that post and boy am I glad I did!
I enjoy dry sand MDing but I'd rather be in the (mild) surf. However, 4 foot waves crashing into the shore every 6 seconds is too much for these ole bones - but, the forecast of 20 mph winds and cool and cloudy day at the beach temped me. Beach traffic would be minimal. I couldn't resist.
It was 3 1/2 hrs into my 8 hr hunt and I had just hit a good target, registering 12:42 on the CTX 3030 with 17" coil and I thought another cent or dime...After 4 scoops of sand with my front-loader sized scoop (Stealth 920iX) the target was still down there and I was having seconds thoughts. I raised my coil about a foot above the sand and the signal disappeared so I figured it wasn't a Can or Can top so I gave it one more full scoop; checking the hole the signal finally disappeared and I shook-out the sand scoop and, at first, couldn't believe my eyes. So I shook the scoop one-more-time and blinked my eyes and there at the bottom of my scoop were 3 rings; a large band and 2 thinner rings with clear stones. Diamonds? HOLY S*** I thought to myself - THREE RINGS IN A SINGLE SCOOP!!! Never had that before. I quickly tucked the rings into my safety pouch. Gotta check the hole again, I thought - a faint signal and up came another ring. FOUR FU***** RINGS!!! By this time I don't even think I was thinking straight. I checked the hole again and silence. But I wasn't deterred, I gave the hole one more full scoop and checked - nothing. Better check the previous sand spills - sure enough another signal... and a fifth ring. Five rings in one hole, I quietly said to myself; five rings. But the rings were deep, real deep; I figured at least a foot or more. Heck, my scoop is 13" x 9" and I was hitting deep into the center of the wide hole several times. Also, the 3-ring set discussed below were mildly corroded, suggesting that they were down there for some time.
The rings must have been there for years; but is that even possible on such a popular beach with hundreds if not 1,000 or more detectorists hitting it every year and multiple times? But no one buries their rings so deep when just visiting the beach. I surmise that the rings were initially buried a few inches below the sand and underneath a towel or blanket...and lost. Over time, rain and very high tides, the rings sank down to their final resting place until I came along with a 17" coil. I do believe that most detectors don't go down more than 9" or so; unless they have a larger coil. So, I was at the right place at the right time with the right equipment and right attitude - don't give-up. Food for thought.
As for the rings, the large band was sterling (6.11g, 11:47 air test) and one of the small bands that also has 23 diamonds (test positive) was sterling (1.87g, 12:34). [Sterling rings are toward knuckle]. The 3-ring set is costume jewelry but look good together (2g each, 12:29 each). Also found a sterling ear ring loop (3.64g, 12:24), Skull ring (16.64g, 12:11, pictured), an unmarked silver and 2 ct aquamarine stone with beautiful cut ear ring (1.31g, 12:30), and a copper, previously silver plated, ring with 6 small clear stones (1.02g, 12:34). Did I mention 123 coins? What a day. And a personal MD best I'll always remember - a 3-ring scoop and 5-ring hole. WOW
PS I'm reporting these finds the next day. I swing the CTX 3030 with 17" coil for 5-8 hrs but I do take a 10 minute lunch break and change hands/arms every 30-60 minutes. And, Yes, I hurt like hell and couldn't sleep last night because of all the aches and pains, even with Ibuprofen. But I wouldn't change it for the World. I call it my "Catholic Work-out"; love that pain and suffering in some strange way.
I enjoy dry sand MDing but I'd rather be in the (mild) surf. However, 4 foot waves crashing into the shore every 6 seconds is too much for these ole bones - but, the forecast of 20 mph winds and cool and cloudy day at the beach temped me. Beach traffic would be minimal. I couldn't resist.
It was 3 1/2 hrs into my 8 hr hunt and I had just hit a good target, registering 12:42 on the CTX 3030 with 17" coil and I thought another cent or dime...After 4 scoops of sand with my front-loader sized scoop (Stealth 920iX) the target was still down there and I was having seconds thoughts. I raised my coil about a foot above the sand and the signal disappeared so I figured it wasn't a Can or Can top so I gave it one more full scoop; checking the hole the signal finally disappeared and I shook-out the sand scoop and, at first, couldn't believe my eyes. So I shook the scoop one-more-time and blinked my eyes and there at the bottom of my scoop were 3 rings; a large band and 2 thinner rings with clear stones. Diamonds? HOLY S*** I thought to myself - THREE RINGS IN A SINGLE SCOOP!!! Never had that before. I quickly tucked the rings into my safety pouch. Gotta check the hole again, I thought - a faint signal and up came another ring. FOUR FU***** RINGS!!! By this time I don't even think I was thinking straight. I checked the hole again and silence. But I wasn't deterred, I gave the hole one more full scoop and checked - nothing. Better check the previous sand spills - sure enough another signal... and a fifth ring. Five rings in one hole, I quietly said to myself; five rings. But the rings were deep, real deep; I figured at least a foot or more. Heck, my scoop is 13" x 9" and I was hitting deep into the center of the wide hole several times. Also, the 3-ring set discussed below were mildly corroded, suggesting that they were down there for some time.
The rings must have been there for years; but is that even possible on such a popular beach with hundreds if not 1,000 or more detectorists hitting it every year and multiple times? But no one buries their rings so deep when just visiting the beach. I surmise that the rings were initially buried a few inches below the sand and underneath a towel or blanket...and lost. Over time, rain and very high tides, the rings sank down to their final resting place until I came along with a 17" coil. I do believe that most detectors don't go down more than 9" or so; unless they have a larger coil. So, I was at the right place at the right time with the right equipment and right attitude - don't give-up. Food for thought.
As for the rings, the large band was sterling (6.11g, 11:47 air test) and one of the small bands that also has 23 diamonds (test positive) was sterling (1.87g, 12:34). [Sterling rings are toward knuckle]. The 3-ring set is costume jewelry but look good together (2g each, 12:29 each). Also found a sterling ear ring loop (3.64g, 12:24), Skull ring (16.64g, 12:11, pictured), an unmarked silver and 2 ct aquamarine stone with beautiful cut ear ring (1.31g, 12:30), and a copper, previously silver plated, ring with 6 small clear stones (1.02g, 12:34). Did I mention 123 coins? What a day. And a personal MD best I'll always remember - a 3-ring scoop and 5-ring hole. WOW
PS I'm reporting these finds the next day. I swing the CTX 3030 with 17" coil for 5-8 hrs but I do take a 10 minute lunch break and change hands/arms every 30-60 minutes. And, Yes, I hurt like hell and couldn't sleep last night because of all the aches and pains, even with Ibuprofen. But I wouldn't change it for the World. I call it my "Catholic Work-out"; love that pain and suffering in some strange way.
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