Beginer's Luck

I purchased a Minelab Safari in April 2009 and spent the first three of four weeks hitting the playgrounds around town to practice.  At first I felt like I was doing alot of work for little change, all current pennies.  I live in Florida so I thought I would go out to the beach and try my luck there.  It's hard to find a really good beach due to over searched areas and alot of the beaches down here have been referbished (sand pumped on them).  I did not do any research before I went, I just wanted to go to a beach where I knew alot of people have been.  I rigged up an old military "war belt" and loaded it with water and a few snacks and took off.  Feeling as though I was crazy or maybe just feeling like one of those "old guys" that I use to make fun of when I was younger, I "bit my cheek" and took off.  I seached a very busy area of the beach where alot of people were enjoying themselves.  I was wearing my headphone so I couldn't here the younger kids making comments about me or the way I looked.  After about 3 hours of strait searching and digging everything that made a "beep", my Minelab detected something that from my short experience told me that I had found a big piece of alluminum close to the surface.  It registered about an 8-10 on my Safari.  I wasn't even going to dig it up because I was tired and all I had to show for my efforts was about $4.00 in change and at least that in recyclable alluminum.  Well anyway, I thought ok one more before I go, I scooped the soft sand off the area that the signal came from and instantly fell to my knees.  Was I looking at something that was real or fake?  I had no clue but I thought to myself that if it was real, it must be worth alot of money.  After securing the ring I found and covering my hole off to the truck I went.  The next day I went to the local jewlers and asked them to tell me exactly what it was.  Would you believe it is a 1.52ct diamond ring and the ring itself is platinum!!!  I have went back to the same beach a total of five times so far and I have walked away with 5 rings total.  All the other rings are silver, two newer and two older.  Needless to say I am hooked for life!!!  I am keeping the beach location secret for now.  Let me tell you when I say that I did not purchase a metal detector, I INVESTED in a metal detector, I'm telling you the truth.  My Minelab Safari paid for itself in 7 WEEKS!!!!!!! 

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What kind of scooper do you use? I need to purchase one for the lakes near my home.  Thanks for your help!

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That must've been fun!  No pics? 

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 [detecting]Sweet finds

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Well I just retired from the Marines so I don't work.  But it is hard for me not to think about all those poor tax payers out there at work while I'm metal detecting. lol
Shawn

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i think that would buy alot of fries

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wow kool story and congrads on the finds.

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