> > > Can a metal detector find gold?
> >
> > Yep. That's what metal detectors do best.
> > Howard
>
> Okay, second question: can metal detectors
> be set to find *only* gold?

Well, depending on the model, you could probably reduce the sensitivity until it only found dense metals such as gold, but you might dig up a little lead. You probably wouldn't want to search just for gold, because you would pass up silver, and lots of coins.
>
> And, third and final question: how much does
> it cost to rent one?

Beats me. I never heard of anyone renting one. You can buy them in the $100 - $500 range. The one Chris has is a $400 deal that makes most of it's own adjustments. It has a point on the scale that says "gold" but sometimes it isn't gold after you dig it up. It also has "trash" on the scale and that will usually be aluminum foil or a pull tab from a soft drink can.

We used it at Myrtle Beach last summer, and came up with lots of change and a few items of jewelry. The only gold we found was a tiny ring that somebody said was a toe ring. I didn't make that up. We also heard a story that might have been a tall tale. It seems somebody once found a cigarette pack with over $400 in it. The detector picked up the foil. People sometimes leave their wallet in the hotel and hide some cash in the stuff they take to the beach. But $400!! I doubt that anyone would need that kind of cash on a beach.

One thing you can be sure of. If you use a metal detector, everybody you meet will have a story to tell about somebody who made a big find.
Howard