Rings dont set off the metal detector?
 

I just realized that my ring hasn't been triggering the metal detectors. How is it that something in my shoe can set those things off but not a ring? :confused: :confused:

Some shoes contain steel shanks, which are usually at least somewhat ferromagnetic and therefore disrupt a magnetic field.

Rings are usually made of materials like gold and silver that are diamagnetic and therefore have little effect on a magnetic field.

I think it also depends on the amount of metal...some women I work with, who wear very large silver cuff bracelets or quite a lot of jewelry, have to take their items off as they will set it off.

But on the other hand, I walk through with a small metal mini-maglight, metal key ring, metal disc-shaped screwdriver, and metal cabin key - plus my 'security-safe' shoes. And I never beep. I have metal in my pockets, but the cumulative amount isn't enough to trigger the alarm.

The alloys of the metal, rather than the total volume are more likely to set off the WTMD.

While it is true that the net volume of the ferro/ferrimagnetic material will play some role, usually that total volume is less deterministic than the metals themselves.

FWIW, I wear surgical steel jewelry in my ear, nipple (both), and navel piercings. They won't set off the WTMD or HHMD used by the TSA, but when I attended a Bill Clinton book signing, my nipple and navel rings set off the Secret Service agent's HHMD. Perhaps their HHMD's are more sensitive?

Could very well be.

Everything disrupts a magnetic field to some extent. Most materials don't disrupt it to the point where it is very noticible. Ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, and paramagnetic materials will be more readily detected than diamagnetic materials and antiferromagnetic materials.

The style of the jewelry seems to make a difference as well. I've noticed a woman can come through with several chain bracelets on and not alarm but a woman with one tiny solid bangle will alarm every time. Even more intriguing are the Cape Cod bracelets. They alarm when they're closed, but don't when they're open.

You are quite right, though all those pieces of jewelry may be composed of different metals.

An item that is oriented in the direction of the field (perpendicular) is less likely to have a detectable effect than one oriented parallel to the direction of the field.

Spiff knows his stuff in this matter. He is right on target.


While conducting business at the checkpoint I have been asked by passengers if their Jewelry will alarm. I usually jokingly respond "If it is real it won't". I usually get a response "It better be or my husband is in trouble".