Can You Make Real Money Detecting Metals?
There has been a lot of sensational news about people using metal detectors to find valuable artifacts – ancient coins , precious jewelry , gold nuggets , maybe even a piece of Charles I’s crown. (The British always have the best finds.) As exciting as these discoveries are, the chances are Finding such items is small and it may depend on your experience, the metal detector you use, the locations you explore, and most importantly, your dedication. You can make a little extra money with a metal detector, but don’t expect to make a living with it – maybe as little as $ 20 a week . Again, the prospect of a big find is tempting too, but you’ll have to invest time and money and develop some know-how if you hope to do so – and be prepared to discover lots of old rusty nails along the way.
How a metal detector can pay off
If you are lucky enough to find valuable items while searching for metals, just remember that they should offset the expense – your time is money, metal detectors cost thousands of dollars and you may have to spend money on travel.
In addition, you may not be able to save the treasure even if you find it. While most states have treasure hunters and guardians law , some states require items found worth $ 100 or more to be reported to the police.
In fact, you are likely to make more money working as a professional detector looking for people’s lost jewelry. You can join sites like Ring Finders , which will allow people in your area to hire you as a local metal detector. Note, however, that professional detectors generally only charge money for gas and a $ 25-50 “call charge” (for disturbing if nothing is detected) and usually operate on a “fee” (pay what you can). … The pleasure of finding someone’s lost wedding ring may be a reward in itself, but you probably don’t want to see it as more than a hobby.
Another earning option is to launch a popular YouTube channel for metal prospecting , but you really need to put in the time and some money first (for more on making money on YouTube, see this Lifehacker post ).
Besides, who knows – maybe you will find some treasure hidden under the porch after all?
Ethical considerations
There are many federal, static and local shops, orders, and ordinances restricting where you can do metal detection. Don’t try it in national parks, near monuments, on historic battlefields, or on Native American lands. People who ignore the rules tend to put a hobby in a bad reputation, which is why many detectors follow a code of ethics .
For more information on legal considerations, check out this blog post on Metal Detection Tech Metals Research.