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Hidden Treasure: Where to find it, how to get it

On March 9th. 2002, I purchased a Bounty Hunter 'Pioneer 101', (Tracker IV) metal detector, while attending a local electronics show here in Charlotte, NC. A bit of history about my metal detecting experience. Over the years I have owned several metal detectors, including top of the line 'White's', 'Compass' and 'Garrett' detectors. I've panned, suctioned dredged and dry sluiced the desert. I recently had several heart attacks and knew I should be exercising more (as the doctor had said), but procrastinating, as I will do, I pushed it to the back of my mind. As I walked the isles of the show, I noticed a rather shop worn box containing a Pioneer 101 metal detector and since the price was right, I purchased it.

I figured what the heck, possibly I'll get out and try it again. Over my years of metal detecting I did recover several nice objects, but nothing of any consequence that I would really get excited about. The detectors were always difficult to tune, hard to adjust the discrimination switches (they really never worked quite right) and took a considerable amount of time to acquaint one's self to each detectors particular adjustments. Now I'll get to the point.

I assembled the Pioneer 101 and didn't actually expect too much from an 'inexpensive detector' after years of $1,000 devices which worked marginally at best. I drove to a nearby park and started my old sweeping technique. To my surprise after only a few feet of sweeping, I got a positive reading and retrieved a fairly current dime (about 4" down), a few more feet and it was a quarter (6" down). Now remember, this was the first time I had used this detector.

My next stop was at the base of a huge old oak tree (there are plenty of those in the Carolinas), sweeping the base of the tree, with the settings specified in the little 15 page booklet for 'jewelry hunting', I got a fairly strong signal. I've always used my trusty screwdriver method of probing, so 'a-probing' I went. I use a 12" screwdriver and had probed the coil center down to the full 12" depth but felt nothing and was about to give up and attribute the signal to the old false reading, which I knew only too well.

OK, a couple of more tries and I would continue elsewhere. Bingo, I hit something and broke out the mini trowel. I had dug down about 6" when I saw a glint of metal and realized it was a ring with what looked like three diamond like stones. I always carry a digital camera in the car now (accidents do happen). Enclosed is a photo of what I recovered, the ring was appraised at $7,500, it contains a 1 Ct. center stone and two side stones, each ¾ Ct. set in 14kt. Gold (photo attached).

The jeweler said the ring was no more than twenty years old (judging by the setting) and how it got down to a 6" depth level is anyone's guess. My wife now has a beautiful new ring and says I can visit electronic shows and do all the metal detecting I desire. I want to thank you for building a fantastic piece of detecting equipment, which surprised the heck out of me. Just as soon as I can afford to upgrade to one of your detectors that is easier for me read (display) you can bet I'll be out there purchasing one. Thanks again.

Dave Nussbaum,