Dave Cartee, Author at The Ring Finders

Ring found on Anniversary, Gulf Shores, AL

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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Dustin texted me yesterday while I was wrapping up in Gulf Shores. Unfortunately, we kept missing each other until I was almost back to Pensacola and already committed to a family dinner.

When we finally connected, he was so kind on the phone that I walked him through a few tricks he could try to find his wife’s ring without a detector. I also told him that even though they were heading back to Indiana the next day, I’d get up at the crack of dawn and come back over if needed.

Dustin gave it a solid effort, but by the end of the night it was clear he still needed some help—so we made a plan to meet early Saturday morning.

When I arrived, Dustin mentioned it was also their anniversary. At that point, there was no question—we had to find that ring.

As soon as I stepped onto the beach, I could see where they had been digging and moving sand the night before. A stick was still in place marking where their umbrella had been. I started there and only made it a few feet before I got a strong, deep gold signal. It was clear the ring had been pushed even deeper during the search.

Two careful scoops later, I had her ring in my hand.

Congratulations, Dustin—this one should make for a much better anniversary trip back to Indiana. 👍💍

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A Good Sign in the Sand – Amanda’s Lost Ring Recovery

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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I love October. It still gets dark late enough that I can get out later in the afternoon without suffering from heat exhaustion. Plus, it’s been a while since I’ve done a recovery, so I was super excited when everything aligned perfectly and Amanda called about her lost ring.

She and her husband were down from near Indianapolis, exploring the area and thinking about moving here. They decided to spend some time on our beautiful beaches. While throwing a football at the water’s edge, Amanda slightly jammed her ring finger. Worried about swelling, she took off her ring and put it on her right hand. It wasn’t the best fit—but it seemed fine for the moment.

When she felt better, she went back down to the water’s edge and started tossing the football again. But when she sat back down in her chair later, she realized the ring was gone—and that sinking feeling of loss and panic hit hard.

She called me, and we went over the details. She wasn’t sure if it had flown into the Gulf or dropped into the sand. I told her it would be a few hours, but I’d bring multiple machines later that afternoon. Like a trooper, she stayed there all day watching and marking the area.

When I arrived, I started at the water’s edge, searching the drop-off zone first. No luck. I worked my way higher into the wet sand—still nothing. I debated whether to head into the water or stay dry a little longer, and I’m glad I chose the latter. After a few more passes, I got an awesome tone and number on my machine. I knew I had it.

I walked over to Amanda’s chair, shaking the sand gently from my scoop and watching her face. You could see the exact moment she realized her ring was back—tears started flowing as she slipped it back onto her finger. She told me she and her husband had the ring custom-made years ago and were afraid it might be a bad sign not to move to Pensacola or Orange Beach.

I told her maybe it was the opposite—a good sign that there are good people here who will help you when you need it. She smiled, wiped another tear, and agreed.

I’m so glad I could help. Welcome to the area, Amanda! If you ever need me again, I’ll be here. 😃

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2 Ring Recovery Day! – Pensacola Beach

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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What a great Saturday!

I needed this. It started with a call from Bryan. His friend Colton had lost his ring while they all played football in the sand. I knew when I got there and it was meticulously staked out with water bottles, sticks and even Crocs that they had a good idea where it might have flown. Sure enough, 10 minutes later and we had the ring back where it belongs.

As I was getting in my car, I got my second call of the day. Branden had a bit tougher situation with the ring being out in the Gulf but he was just down the road so I headed over to help out. A few hours later after a pretty big search, I heard an awesome signal that made the day complete. Branden had his ring back as well while his family watched on.

Truly great people I got to meet today. Thanks for making my Saturday fantastic.

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5 star review in Orange Beach- Found!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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This was one of my all-time favorite returns. Lindsey called Sunday afternoon and explained that she had lost her wedding ring the day before out in the Gulf in Orange Beach. The other problem is that she and her family had already gone home to Louisiana and she didn’t know what to do. I told her not to worry and that I was pretty good at helping people tell me where they had lost their ring. I started asking questions and before long, I was on my way to a condo in Orange Beach.

When I got in the water and checked my landmarks, I decided where to start based on our conversation. Immediately I noticed a man making a beeline for my position. I smiled and waved hello as he got within speaking distance. As soon as he asked me if I was there to help the lady from the day before, I noticed another man and woman headed my way as well. I had no idea just how popular Lindsey and her family had become, but I was about to find out.

The three of them asked several questions and I told them who I was. I then asked if they had been helping look the day before and what had happened. They told me that a lot of people had been combing the area but had no luck. One gentleman told me that I was in the right area but I needed to move forward a bit. I explained that I had decided to start there based on my conversation with Lindsey and I had asked her which way she was facing when she went to catch the football they were throwing. I said that it looked like I was too far away, but I promised them that I would grid search the whole area and invited them to watch.

The same man asked me how successful I was in the water. I told him that I didn’t want to jinx myself but I had a pretty high recovery percentage. I went about two more feet and heard that gold tone in my ears. I told them all that I thought I found it, and they incredulously inched closer. It took several gentle scoops, but finally, I held out the scoop with the beautiful diamond ring in it. One man asked if he could take it out, and I told him yes. He turned and held it up and yelled to the beach, “He Found The Diamond!!!”

As we walked in, the beach went crazy and people came out of the woodwork congratulating me and looking at the ring and explaining that they had been amongst the dozens who helped look for Lindsey’s ring the day before. Somebody suggested that we FaceTime Lindsey and I said that sounded like a great idea. I wish I had a screenshot of my phone because when Lindsey answered, there were upwards of thirty people behind me yelling, “We Found It!!! 😃” and shouting their congratulations. It was too loud to hear Lindsey, but I could see that she was emotional and happy. I held the ring up and told her that it was safe and that I would call her soon.

Wow! I made my way off the beach and had the chance to speak to a very happy Lindsey and sent her a photo of her ring. I ended up meeting her in Mobile today at lunch as she and her family drove over from Louisiana. The best part of this entire recovery is when their daughter insisted on making me a beautiful sign for the recovery photo. As you can see, she gave me five stars and that makes all of the effort worth every ounce of hard work.

Thank you, Lindsey, for trusting me with such a special ring!

-Dave 😃💍

 

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Ring recovery I won’t forget- Pensacola Beach

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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Yesterday afternoon, as I was heading home from work, I got a call from Devon. The week before, I had been away for the holiday and had to turn down several people needing help, so it felt especially good to be available — and to have my gear in the car — when Devon called.

Devon had lost something incredibly meaningful over the weekend: his grandfather’s ring. It had been passed down to him to wear on his wedding day and had been in the family for 55 years. He lost it while throwing a football in the Gulf late at night, and he said one of the hardest things he’s ever done was call his grandfather to tell him it was gone.

Thankfully, a coworker who heard him talking about it at work knew what I do and suggested he give me a call.

We met at the beach, and Devon was clearly anxious as he explained where he’d been in the water. I started making passes with my detector, pulling out some trash at first — each time hoping it might be the ring. I reminded myself that God’s will would be done either way, and I settled in for the hunt.

Eventually, I pushed out deeper into the June Grass — and that’s when I heard it. The unmistakable tone of gold.

I scooped up a mix of shells and sand — and there it was: Devon’s heirloom ring.

He hadn’t seen me find it, so I walked over and joked that I was taking a break because there was just so much random metal out there. I held out the scoop casually and said, “Take a look at the stuff I’m finding.”

Devon leaned in… and then saw it. His expression shifted from worry to absolute joy. He grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a hug.

He called his wife right away with the good news — but the best moment came when he FaceTimed his grandfather. The shock and joy on his face said it all. He said, “I can’t believe it,”!

I was thrilled myself. Moments like this are exactly why I do what I do. I’m incredibly grateful I could help continue the story of this special ring.

Congratulations, Devon — and thank you, and your colleague, for trusting me.

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Lost Wedding Band Recovered in the Gulf – Orange Beach, AL

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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I got a call this afternoon from Madison who was vacationing with her whole family in Orange Beach, AL. Madison’s husband, Chris had been out in the Gulf throwing a football in the rough waters when he realized that his wedding band was missing.

I talked with Madison on the phone and she was so nice that I decided I would make the drive in traffic to help out. When I got there, the whole family was ready to watch, help and cheer me on.

The Gulf was pretty choppy but I was able to do several passes with no luck. I decided to switch angles and adjust the area a bit based on the tides and some extra input from others who were vested in the outcome.

Sure enough I only went a little farther until I heard a beautiful gold sound in my headphones and scooped up Chris’ wedding band.

In the celebration with the whole family I quickly learned from Madison and Chris that they had only been married since November. I told them that I was so happy that I could give them an awesome story to share for years to come.

Congratulations Chris and Madison and thank you for trusting me with your ring!

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Memorial Day Lost Ring – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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I made some new friends today while helping Grant find his wedding band in the Gulf. He and his wife, Kelly, were staying in Perdido when Grant’s ring slipped off while floating in the waves yesterday afternoon. By the time he realized it was gone, he knew it was about waist deep, but that was about it. This morning, I joined Grant in the water, and he showed me roughly where he thought it might be.

A few hours in, I started getting concerned. I had thoroughly searched the area but decided to push a little deeper, just in case the tide had moved it. I ventured out as far as my shoulders, and on the very first pass, I got the unmistakable tone of gold. I scooped it up on the first try. When I came in, the crowd that had been watching gave me a round of applause, and Grant gave me a big hug. What a special moment—definitely one of the best returns I’ve ever had.

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2 Rings Lost in the Wet Sand – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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I love starting the day out right!  Jenny has been in town from Minnesota visiting a friend and they went to watch the Blue Angels practice a few days ago. Unfortunately, Jenny took off her wedding ring and a Memorial ring she had made and put them where she thought they were safe. It was only after she got back to her friend’s house that evening that she realized they were gone and reached out to me. I got the info from where all they had been and agreed to go in the morning so I would have plenty of light. I ended up finding them about 4 feet apart very deep in the sand because the wind had blown the water in over them on the beach when the tide came in after they left. I was actually impressed again how deep my equipment can find a ring when set right. Jenny and her friend were both thrilled when I drove over and met them to return the rings. Thanks for trusting me Jenny and congrats on getting your rings back.

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Lost Ring on Navarre Beach – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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With all of the beautiful weather, the first ring recovery of the year came in February. Sarah called and explained that she had lost her Tiffany wedding band out on the beach somewhere. She wasn’t positive where and was concerned that it might even be in her van. After a few questions I decided that it was probably in the sand and grabbed my gear and drove the hour over to Navarre. I ended up finding it very quickly and I think Sarah was shocked how fast she had her beautiful ring back on her finger. I made good on my promise from earlier saying “if it’s there, I can find it.”  😃👍. I look forward to a great year of helping people get their precious items back.

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Lost 48 year old wedding ring – Found!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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Charles and Marty were visiting all the way from Seattle. When you have worn your wedding ring for 48 years and it goes missing on the beach, you can’t just let it go. Luckily Charles’ and his wife Marty tracked me down and asked me to give them a hand. They weren’t sure exactly where it had come off but they had good directions to where they had been sitting with their family the day before so that was a pretty good starting place. Marty and Charles weren’t able to be there for the search but I could hear how important this ring was to them in Marty’s voice when we spoke on the phone. I was thrilled when I called back later and asked where I could meet them to drop off Charles’ ring. They were almost in disbelief and the entire family cheered in the background. I met them later and got some fantastic hugs as we put the ring back where it belongs. Congratulations Charles and Marty!

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