12 August 2026.
Dianne called this morning to ask if I could search for her ring that she lost in the water at the beach two days ago, on Monday. She was referred to me by fellow Ring Finder Luke who lives on the outer Cape. After I got some basic information from her about the loss we arranged to meet at the beach at 4 PM. This would be about an hour before low tide, roughly in the same part of the tidal cycle as when she lost her ring.
When we met at the beach, Dianne showed me an AI-generated picture of a ring similar to hers. Her ring was a beautiful engagement ring that she’d received some 31 years ago from her fiancé (and now husband). It was her intention to pass it on to her daughter, and she naturally was quite upset. She described how the ring slipped from her finger when she was blind-sided by a sizeable wave in chest-deep water. She had slimmed down recently, so the ring was loose, and she actually felt it slide right off her finger when the wave hit. Fortunately she and her son, who was accompanying her, were able to constrain the area where the ring dropped, not far from a rock jetty.
I headed into the water and made a pair of swaths through the likely area of the drop, working in- and off-shore out to neck-deep water. The waves were a bit troublesome but I generally was able to keep my footing. Each of a couple of good-sounding targets had me ready to declare victory, but they proved to be aluminum pop-tops from beer cans (the scourge of detectorists!). I went ashore for some further consultation, then moved west just outside the ‘prime’ area. Within a swath and a half I had a nice clean signal that proved to be Dianne’s ring. I left some gravel in the scoop with the ring, waded ashore, and asked Dianne if she could find anything among the debris. It took her a bit of time poking around before she found the ring, but the suspense and the final ‘reveal’ were great fun to see!
We wrapped up with conversation with Dianne’s family, who’d arrived to see the search, and with a promise from Dianne to get that pretty ring sized. A nice ending to the day!
Dianne’s beautiful ring.
Celebrating success!
Brian,
I am truly shocked and incredibly grateful. I honestly thought my ring was gone forever. I was hesitant to post on Facebook, but someone recommended that I contact you based on my location.
You were professional and thorough from the start. You asked detailed questions about when, where, and how I lost the ring, then checked the tide schedule for that day. We had been in the water around the same time, and within a half hour, you found it!
Given the tide and conditions, I was convinced the ring had traveled far down the beach and would never be found. I was amazed by how quickly you located it.
I also greatly appreciated that you didn’t charge a set fee just to come out. You simply asked for whatever I was comfortable giving, which meant a lot.
You were professional, knowledgeable, accommodating, and confident throughout the entire process. I cannot thank you enough for finding something I had already accepted was lost forever.
It was a pleasure meeting you, and I am incredibly grateful!
Dianne, thank you so much for the kind words. I feel very fortunate that I’m able to help folks in situations such as yours. I enjoyed meeting your family and I hope you all have a great summer!