I have been detecting for a number of years now. I started out with the Xterra705 and now own the Equinox 600. I am loving the hobby and the reason I do is because we never know what is under the ground waiting to be found. In this case, I had done some research on an area that I know had some history around it. From that research I knew of activity there from late 1800's to mid 1900's. There had been quite a few changes to the area within that time and it was going to be a case of find as much out about it as possible. So that done, I headed out there last weekend and started searching. Trying to picture the place as it was many years ago I set about swinging in the spots I thougth were close to where buildings and people would have been. I got lucky within 10 minutes, finding my first coin, dated 1934. I was on the right track. I had my Equinox on all metal, park 1 setting. I like those settings when in a historic area. I like to 'hear' more so than read the display. Generally if there is a solid signal, I am going to dig it. As was the signal for this find. It was a definite signal, but not a high one. Hand spade came out and I dug a plug around it. Got out my pro-find 15 pin pointer and was told what ever it was was still in the hole. I dug deeper. Pin pointer out again. Its getting closer. Dug some more around the signal and then I see it. I see a thin silver chain. Then I see the chain attached to something with a glistening stone on it. OMG!!! I am now seriously excited. I know this is old as it in an oldish area and its quite a way down. Its been there for a while. My brother is also a keen detectorist and we send each other pics of our cool finds. I grabbed my camera out and took a pic of it in the hole before i kept digging. I look down again and see the chain is further into the side wall. I carefully dig it free. Its incredibly in one piece. I now have the chance to bring it out and what I see blows me away. In my hand, staring back at me, I see through the dirt covering it, a possible broach or something with lots of shiny stones on it. What!!!!!!! It looked seriously good whatever it was. I was not in shock, but I was entirely taken aback from this find. I was just staring it it in my hand. It was stunning. I did not want to ruin it in any way. I knew not to clean it on the spot, so I carefully put it in my finds bag so I could clean it at home. That wasnt long after. I couldnt help myself. I had to get home to find out what it was. A quick hello to my family as I shot to the shed, a bucket was found and a toothbrush. After soaking it for a bit in water I gently brushed the dirt away with the toothbrush. What was exposed was one of the most striking pieces of jewellry I had ever found. It was gorgeous. Stunning. So many sparkling stones! Could they be?? They like they were all set professionally. I turned it over looking for a makers mark. None to be found. But that wasnt taking any of the satisfaction away. I had found this in a place I had researched. It had been there for many years. I was the lucky one swinging my 600 over it that day. Over that little spot where someone had lost it, much to their sadness I would assume. And that is why I love detecting. You just never know what you are going to uncover.
