Do an ebay search for the little VA tags. They are somewhat collectible. I found 6 sets in a delinquent storage locker auction. Sold for $12 a set.
A little better anyway. One ring has a counterfeit S-925 stamp as there isn't even any plating left on the copper.
The metal detector find in England on the beach of a 14" spearhead, that turns out to be bronze age 3,000 years ago, is fantastic.
Pretty much a bust. But then this Hershey's Kiss charm is stamped 925 (China). GF thinks it's real, but I will get it tested to see.
She takes it to a place where she buys beads/silver etc. And sometimes she has scrap silver to redeem. So they will test anything she brings in free. I have had a number of pleasant surprises from them, and a couple of bummers. So often I think something is fake and it comes back real and a few times I thought something was real and it came back fake. I have 2 things to test, I am hoping one of them comes back good.
Found some silver we will have to test. The Avon tag on the ladybug says 925. Net says it is good. The jump ring/clasp also says 925 that is good and maybe the silver chain.
Test results. The Hershey's kiss is stamped 925 but it's from China, so I wanted to make sure. The ladybug has a tag next to it that says 925 and the clasp says 925 so I wanted to test the chain. The other piece is the top part of a ring with I assume amethyst. Everything came back silver.
I'm not very handy. But I was able to take apart the box from my old rig, to get to the wire I couldn't reach from the other end, hook up the new battery lead and feed it through the hole, put everything back together, connect the batteries and it's working.
I have only gone out a dozen times but it’s definitely a fun experience. But definitely a few cool finds ( 17 penny’s, 5 dimes, 8 quarters, 2 nickels, and a Andrew Johnson $1 / 2 shotgun shells, and 2 ancient nails found. This are just my good finds. I have about 100 nails also