How to Find a Ring with a Metal Detector
Learn to Find Lost Rings
When I first got into metal detecting, I never imagined the thrill of finding a shiny ring nestled in the dirt or sand. Over the years, I’ve found 1000’s of rings—from wedding bands lost on the beach to silver heirlooms forgotten in backyards, not to mention the countless kid rings throughout playgrounds and ballfields.
Searching old swimming beaches can be a great location to find rings with your metal detector. (Photo credit: Ace Covey)
If you're here to learn how to find a ring with your metal detector, you’re in the right place. Let me walk you through everything I’ve learned to help you succeed.
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Step 1: Choose the Right Metal Detector
Not all metal detectors are created equal, and when it comes to finding rings, you’ll want one that excels at detecting jewelry. Look for a detector with good sensitivity to small objects and adjustable discrimination settings.
Mid-range detectors like the Garrett AT Pro or Minelab Vanquish are great options—they can handle a variety of environments and metals.
Step 2: Know Your Metal Detector
Before setting out, it’s crucial to understand your machine. Different rings—gold, silver, or platinum—produce distinct signals.
For instance:
Gold rings: These often fall into the mid-range conductivity range & numbers on your detector. A smaller gold ring might sound like a pull tab, while a larger one can give a stronger tone almost like a penny.
Silver rings: Silver is highly conductive, producing a clear, high-pitched tone & higher target ID number.. These signals are usually more distinct than gold and actually sound more like quarters.
Platinum rings: Platinum falls closer to gold in terms of conductivity but tends to produce a slightly softer tone and its tone may vary based on the detector model.
The display on the Garrett AT Pro gives you a guide on the possible range for gold rings and silver referenced with its target ID number. (Photo credit: Garrett Metal Detectors)
If your detector has a display, the target ID numbers can give you clues. Learn the ID ranges for different metals on your specific machine—this will save you from digging up endless bottle caps (though I’ve been there too!).
Step 3: Choose the Right Location
Where you search is just as important as how you search. Rings are often lost in high-traffic areas where people take off jewelry or where hands are more likely to get wet and slippery.
Some of my favorite spots include:
Beaches, Swimming Holes & Rivers: Look along the towel line, near lifeguard stations, and shallow water areas. Rings are commonly lost while swimming or applying sunscreen. Rings are often lost while swimming or fishing, making these areas worth searching (just make sure your detector is waterproof).
Parks: Picnic areas, under shady trees, and playgrounds are prime spots. People lose rings while relaxing or playing.
Sports Fields: Spectators and players often lose rings during games or practices. Check the sidelines and dugouts.
Yards and Gardens: If you have permission, private properties can yield lost rings often times where people are doing yard work or planting flowers.
Old Homesteads & Farms: If you can get permission, detecting around older properties and out in the fields where farmers used their hands often yields forgotten treasures.
Step 4: Use the Right Settings
If your detector allows it, use the discrimination mode to filter out trash like iron nails and bottle caps. However, don’t overdo it—you don’t want to accidentally ignore rings with lower conductivity (like small gold bands).
I’ve found some of my best rings by digging up signals I might have otherwise ignored. Adjust your sensitivity and ground balance based on the soil conditions for optimal performance.
Step 5: Dig Smart
One of the biggest challenges when searching for rings is telling the difference between a valuable target and trash. Unfortunately, rings can mimic the signals of pull tabs, foil, or other common junk.
My advice? Dig every solid, repeatable signal. You’ll get better at distinguishing tones over time.
Step 6: Take Your Time and Grid the Area
When searching for a ring, work slowly and systematically. I like to use a grid pattern, overlapping each sweep to make sure I cover every inch of the area. Rings can be small and easy to miss, so patience is key.
Step 7: Understand the Challenges of Trash vs. Treasure
You might wonder if it’s possible to tell a ring from a trash target before you dig.
Here are some tips:
Consistency: Rings often produce a consistent, solid tone when you pass the coil over them from different angles. Trash, like crumpled foil, might sound erratic or broken.
Shape and depth: Rings are circular, so their signal is usually more stable than oddly shaped trash. If your detector displays depth, a shallower, consistent signal is often worth investigating.
However, some trash (like pull tabs) can mimic a ring’s signal, especially gold rings. Still, I’ll admit it: there’s no foolproof way to avoid digging trash entirely.
I’ve learned to trust my instincts and dig most solid signals, even if there’s a chance it’s trash—you never know until you dig.
Step 8: Be Patient and Persistent
Finding rings takes practice, patience, and a little bit of luck. I’ve had entire weekends when I dug over 200 pull tabs before finding a single ring, but trust me, the thrill of pulling any ring out of the ground is worth it every time.
Bonus Tip: Use Accessories
A handheld pinpointer can save you a ton of time when you’re close to your target. It helps you zero in on the ring quickly, especially in thick soil.
What’s The Scoop?
Make digging at the beach a breeze with a beach scoop from CKG. Use code SWING4THERING at checkout and save!!
A beach scoop like the CKG that I use is great when digging at the beach in the sand or in the water. Using a beach scoop will take a little practice, but it’s well worth it in the long run.
My Most Memorable Ring Find
One of the most unforgettable rings I ever found was actually when I found my mom’s wedding band and engagement rings. She got in a screaming match with my dad (before I was even born) one night, opened the window, and threw them in to the backyard.
I found my mom’s rings 27 years later, after she threw them into the yard during a screaming match with my dad, with my metal detector. (Photo credit: Ace Covey)
The next morning she realized what she had done and they went out and rented a metal detector to try and find them. This was in the 1980s so technology was not what it is today and they had no idea how to use it anyways.
They never found them and fast forward to present day where now my aunt owns the home and I always heard her talk about the story. So one day (27 years later), I called my aunt up knowing I would be in town that afternoon and asked if I could come look in her yard for the rings.
The best ring return I ever made from metal detecting was for my mom! (Photo credit: Ace Covey)
Well wouldn’t you know it I wound them right in the middle of the backyard, about 3 inches down and only 1 foot apart from each other! A gold band and a beautiful gold ring with an opal!
I surprised my mom at that month’s metal detecting club meeting with a big reveal party that the whole club was in on. Things like that make this hobby truly rewarding!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never found a ring before, don’t get discouraged. With the right tools, locations, and a bit of persistence, it’s only a matter of time before you uncover one.
Whether it’s a gold wedding band, a shiny silver statement ring, or even a kid’s Cracker Jack’s treasure, every ring tells a story—and there’s nothing quite like being the one to bring it back into the light.
If you’ve found any special rings, I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below.
“So go out there and remember to “Swing4TheRing!””
