On 7/31/25 and just before 2 pm, I received a text saying, “Hi Jim. My name is Jennifer B and I lost my wedding/engagement ring about an hour ago in front of the Sand Castle Ocean Front Resort South Beach. I was about thigh deep in the ocean and got wiped out by a wave and lost the ring. Sending a picture. Thank you!” I checked the tide tables and figure she lost it about 45 minutes before high tide. By now the tide would have turned. By the time I’d get there it’d be a couple hours past high tide and easily researchable. I called the number attached to the text and spoke with Jennifer. I got a few more details and told her I’d be there in about 30-35 minutes. She agreed and I was on my way.
When I arrived, I easily found a place to park and walked on the beach. I called Jennifer telling her I was on the beach, and she directed me to where she was. When we met, she explained what had happened and looking at the conditions I completely understood how she lost it. Mother Nature wasn’t in a good mood; the sea breeze had picked up enough to blow the waves straight into the beach. There was also a tough at the bottom of the slope which meant the waves were crashing right where I thought her ring would be. I started a grid search both parallel and perpendicular to the shoreline and wasn’t having any luck. Twice, I tried to venture into the tough and both times waves knocked me flat. There were people including Jennifer, trying to help me get up and grab my detector and scoop. I wasn’t having any fun at this point. There were still a few hours before low tide, so I decided to call it for now and come back later. I apologized to Jennifer for not finding it but didn’t say I was coming back at that point. I needed to check the home front and grab some dinner for the wife and me. Just before low tide, I text Jennifer saying I was going back to try again and hit the road. I arrived back right at low tide and the conditions were much better. I started a grid search at the north end of the search area and about mid tide. I was able to make my way out to waist deep. My 3rd line, I hit a solid 11 on the VDI (visual display indicator), exactly what I expected for a lady’s Platinum ring. One scoop and I had it out of the hole, gently shook the sand out and saw her ring. I took a quick picture, sent it to Jennifer and said “Bingo.” I also asked where she was, and I’d bring it to her. I called her and found out her and the 4 ladies she was vacationing with were at a local restaurant, so I was on my way. I met Jennifer and her emotional response was priceless.
Jennifer – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure and get it back where it belongs.
Jim
2 Replies to “Wedding/Engagement Ring Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC”
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Ringfinder….. words can’t describe how grateful we are. The Ringwearer was beyond upset after losing her ring. But not only were you able to find it, you were kind, calm and honest in the process. We are forever thankful!!
– The Ringgiver
No amount of words can express my gratitude for the time and effort that Jim put into finding my ring. A friend did a Google search for « finding a lost ring in the ocean » and Jim’s name showed up. Throughout the whole process Jim reassured me through his knowledge of the ocean that there was hope. My friends knew as soon as they met Jim that he was « the guy » that was going to find my ring. They were not surprised when Jim went back out later during low tide and found my ring. Jim is a very kind individual who is awesome at his job! I will be forever grateful! Thank you Jim!!
Jennifer