Underwater Stories

28^th July 2010

Went to Mexico during the 4th of July. Found nine nice rings in the resort area I stayed in. Best water machine out there hands down. I also found silver rings and lots of coins. 

Don ‘CoCo’ Tyler – New Hampshire, USA

20^th July 2010 

My now teenage daughters were given 22ct rose gold bangles by their grandmother for a gift to celebrate an achievement they attained.

The two girls and their older brother returned approx 4pm from the local tidal saltwater river after swimming. The eldest daughter was absolutely distraught as she had lost her bangle in the river and could not find it after some time searching.

I had a chat and did the "daddy will fix it" thing and calmed her down. We went down at low tide approx 7pm with our Quattro MP and in less than 10 minutes we had recovered the bangle in approx 3 feet of water about 20 feet from the point where she knew she last had it on.

The bangles monetary value was not as great as the sentimental value and the worth of the Quattro MP was insignificant in the scheme of things and the look on her face I will never forget, she thought it was gone for good.

People who hear the story still cannot believe it and ask "how good is the detector, they must cost a fortune?" and I tell them it is "priceless".

B. Johnston - Barwon Heads, Australia

19^th July 2010 

Because I hadn’t been out detecting for a few weeks I headed for our local beach. After 45 minutes detecting I got a strong signal on my Excalibur. To my amazement I had found a really nice diamond ring! At the end of the night I had three diamond rings and a very large 18ct gold belcher chain and around £18 in change. 

Stuart – West Yorkshire, UK

24^th June 2010

A few months ago I had to send my Excalibur in for warranty work, and it about broke my heart. Then I find out it was in the mist of the Minelab move and it would take longer than I expected to get it back. I broke down and purchased another Excalibur so I wouldn't loose any precious hunting time even though I own another brand water machine, I just can't go without the Excalibur.

Finally after a couple months I receive my first child back with a new coil, and I ran out for a quick hunt. I knew I would only have an hour, but I wanted to make sure the machine was running in top form again. Well, it surpassed that by far, no sooner did I turn it on and a junk ring, followed by a junk bracelet, and then a few coins and then a first ever for me. A wedding set, not only a wedding set, but a platinum wedding set at that. The Excalibur in my book is the only water machine, it just amazes me each time I take it out.

Dawn – Texas, USA

7^th June 2010

Dear Minelab,

I recently purchased an Excalibur II and wanted to share with you a couple of my first finds with it. This is my third water machine and by far the best. I have only had the Excalibur II for a few weeks and have had some incredible luck. I got down to the beach after the holiday weekend and got not one but two 14ct rings. The depth of this machine truly amazes me, I really like the fact that the Excalibur II ignores iron but will sound off on the good stuff right next to it. I think its going to be a great year!

Marty – ME, USA

31^st March 2010

10^th March 2010

Had a few hours before I had to pick up my granddaughter from school, made it to the beach around low tide and what a day. One 14ct gold band with emerald cut diamond, very nice with a total weight of 9 gr, one interesting gold ring with dolphin and two small stones, ring is stamped 14ct Italy and five old silver rings.

P. Walla – CA, USA

31^st December 2009

1^st December 2009

All the gold items pictured were found by 7 treasure hunters with Minelab Excalibur underwater metal detectors in one week on a recent (November 2009) Streeter Caribbean Treasure hunting adventure!

G. Streeter

27^th September 2009

On the last day of my recent Caribbean water-detecting trip, I had a couple of nice finds. I used my trusty Minelab Excalibur II with a 10" Coil the entire trip. The Caribbean water was so warm I could hunt all day without my wet suit. I was only hunting maybe 15 minutes into my final day when I hit my first find of that day. I found a chunky 14kt yellow and white gold “Rolex Ring” in the mild surf. It weighed in at 1/3 of an ounce and had 17 diamond accent stones in circle in the middle. It is called a Rolex Ring because it resembles a Rolex Watch. At size 12 it was also perfect for me to wear as a pinky ring.

Just before noon I had ventured down in front of a major resort and Casino. I was silently wading along when a frantic fellow came out and stopped me. “Hey Mister, would you be so kind to come up on shore and help us find my wife’s engagement ring for a reward?” My response, “Sure, I would love to help you out”. I always ask for a description just in case I find other items. It was a 1.5ct diamond with a white gold setting. It seems the owner had taken it off and placed it on her lap to apply lotion to her daughter. Forgetting the ring, she then stood up and then walked around until horrified she remembered what she had done. They had searched in vain for about an hour.

When I arrived at the scene the beach chairs were all removed to the side and there was a crowd of fifty or so spectators ringing the area. The forlorn wife stood dejectedly to the side. The deep sand was white and fluffy. My “Nose for Gold” must have been well tuned that day. In just three sweeps of my Excalibur II, I heard that beloved deep sweet gold tone. It did not take more than 15 seconds of hunting. I pointed at the blasting target and the husband excitedly dove to his knees to dig but I waved him off. One swipe with my 5” surf scoop and there it was sparkling back at me. I presented my scoop to the husband and said, “Is that it?” The spectators roared their approval and the wife beamed a wide smile as she put her cherished ring back where it belonged. I wish I had a video. Immediately she dug into her bag and presented me with three crisp US$50 bills. This was a WIN – WIN for all. If my math is correct US$150 for 15 seconds works out to US$36,000 per hour. Not bad work if you can get it! This was also the first time I found two diamond rings in one day.

Dan 'Ring-a-Day' Hennessy - Defreestville, NY

28^th August 2009

19^th June 2009

I bought my Excalibur II in February 2009. This is my first water machine and my first year water hunting, so yes I am a rookie at it, but I am hooked. 

I went to the beach with my wife and kids today and right away I started digging coins right off the bat with the Excalibur II. After scooping up a dollar or so I moved to deeper water. I got a nice tone and dug it .It was my first gold ring, I was pumped and I called my wife over to show it to her, she was pumped too. I asked her to hold on to it. 

25^th April 2009

Just a quick update on the new Excalibur II which I purchased on 3 April 2009. In short, the upgrade has been paid for in 3 weeks from the date I received the detector. 

I have found 12 gold rings with the Excalibur II. The total weight found is 41 grams of 9kt and 20 grams of 18kt. With the current scrap gold price at ZAR 95 per gram of 9kt, that comes to ZAR 7,695. The upgrade from the Excalibur I to the Excalibur II cost ZAR 5,700 so already I have made a profit of ZAR 2,000 just on the gold found!! 

Three of the rings found were in wet sand, one in the surf and the other eight while I was diving on the South Coast. I have included a photo of the eight rings found while diving. 

Andy - South Africa

First detector was an Excalibur submersible. It was always in the back of my vehicle but never much used. That was until I was in Port Headland, WA and I wasn't having any luck picking up a job. I was down to my last AU$50 and no dole. I saw a small side show on part of an oval and started thinking about money they might drop around the stalls. 

Two days later they were gone and I was there Excalibur in hand. I had a smile on my face from that day on $40 for 4 hours. My first time, trying to learn as I go. 

From that day on the days just got better. For six weeks I detected 2 beaches, 5 sports grounds, 2 parks and 2 race tracks between Port Headland and Karratha. I found a total of just over AU$3,000 in $1 and $2 coins, 17 rings, 22 pendants and 20 odd dollars of 1 and 2 cent pieces. Approximately $50 in silver, mostly 50c pieces (once I got the hang of the discriminator). Plus 34 pre-decimal coins, lead sinkers - I stopped counting at 150. 

I have been an active metal detector enthusiast since 1979 and have used every brand of machine that has been made. BFO, TR, VLF, Pulse and others. For the majority of that time I was convinced that I was using the "best" brand available. In July of 2001 I decided to invest in a machine that would be primarily used in the water. I've been a scuba diver since 1981 and my most valuable discoveries had been found in the water.

After much research and actually speaking with other detector owners I purchased the Minelab Excalibur 1000. Since that time I have recovered 486 rings and literally thousands of coins. Many are pre-1900. The best ring found was a 1/3ct VVS1 Diamond Solitaire in 14kt. That was a sweet surprise for my lovely wife! My favorite coin recovery would have to be the 1854-O Half Dime in EF-40 condition. Not really that valuable but a wonderful looking Seated Variety coin. 

My friends all have hobbies like golfing, fishing and hunting. That's fine, but my hobby is the "Greatest Hobby in the World!" I leave home broke and come back with diamonds, gold, silver and some pocket change! Get yourself a Minelab Excalibur and find out what I'm excited about. 

There is WEALTH in the WATER! 

Doug B - Minnesota, USA

This is part of the treasure that I have harvested with my Minelab Excalibur and Sovereign. I have 12 more jars of rings, chains, bracelets and watches just like this. Before I discovered Minelab, I would find an occasional piece of jewellery. With Minelab detectors, it is not unusual for me to find five or six a day. My best day with the Excalibur produced 35 rings and almost 200 coins from a swimming hole. Recently, I started fresh water diving and I hope to repeat that experience many times.

John Devine - Australia

I have been scuba diving and fishing under water since I was 16 years old and metal detecting since I was 12 years old (for 34 years!). What's the point to this you may ask?
 
During a recent diving trip I found myself at a depth of roughly 12 metres, in pursuit of a big fish trying to hide itself in a rock, approximately 100 metres from the coast. However, my attention was quickly distracted by a round object, which looked to be covered in white sand. I abandoned the lucky fish and swam towards the base of the rock only to find an amphora neck (a type of ancient ceramic vase) resting on the seabed! I marked the coordinate and quickly swam back to the surface to get my breath back. I dived again, excited by my discovery, however, as I began to pull the amphora clear of the sand, I was disappointed to retrieve only a fragment of a broken amphora (the neck and its two handles). I picked up my treasure and put it on the Zodiac and dived back again. After several dives, I discovered another fragment of a broken amphora, smaller than the first find, in addition to, some pottery remains. 

The next day, armed with my faithful companion, the Excalibur 1000, I set out again for an adventure. Prospecting under water, without the luxury of an oxygen tank is a real sport, as you can only afford a minute or so under water before returning to the surface for air. In addition to this, the excitement affects your concentration and ability to go without oxygen, reducing your time under water. After fifteen counts of self-induced apnoea, allowing time only for few coil sweeps each time, the Excalibur 1000 began singing a melodious tune at approximately 1 metre above the seabed. It was indeed a strong and clear signal of a non-ferrous metal target. 

The target appeared to be enormous, but by decreasing the threshold and by setting the Discriminate / Pinpoint button on pinpoint mode, I was able to locate the target and mark its position with my dagger. I put back my Excalibur 1000 on the Zodiac and immediately dived again. Having neither a water sucker nor tools to dig the target, without the risk of damaging my find, I made fast movements with my hand around the top of the target, like a fan, to create a water flow to drive out the fine sand. Further movements of the hand uncovered a greenish object that appeared to be made of copper or oxidized bronze. 

Once I had returned to the surface, I found myself to be holding a bronze dish with engravings on its edge, which reminded me of a Greek style dish dating back to the early centuries A.D. After further investigation this under water location didn't bestow any further finds. It would seem that this particular place was in fact an occasional anchoring area for boats in the antiquity. Concerning this particular bronze dish, was it an ancient piece of work poorly made by a common cook? We will never know. We can say, however, that in the past navigators of sea vessels were not terribly concerned for the environment, although, to the contrary they make some fellows very happy today! 

Mr.OUZO - France