Jim Wren, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 4 of 36

Man’s 14K Yellow Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Sunday, June 21, 2026 (Father’s Day), I got a text message just before 5 p.m. saying in part, “Hi Jim, this is Nathan. I lost my wedding ring at the beach yesterday and learned today that you find wedding rings. I was wondering if you are able to search for it. I know the approximate area it fell off my hand during high tide. It was in front of the Island Vista Condos and the ring has an inscription in it. Thank you for your time, and if you’re busy no stress. Its life, it happens and I know this is a long shot.” He also sent a picture of both the area and his ring. I immediately called him to get more details. He said he had been swimming in the ocean and as he moved his left arm to take a stoke, he felt his ring come off. I asked about what time and whether he was swimming towards or away from shore, he stated away. The time coincided with close to high tide, which he said, and he also stated he was about chest deep. Low tide was coming up so I told him I’d come and see what I could do.

He and his wife Abbey had already checked out of the resort that day. So, when I got there, I used the picture he sent to get an idea where I needed to search. I also face timed him to double check where I needed to be. At some point before they checked out, he had built up some sand mounds. He lined me up with a house on the beach and the mounds and gave me a good starting point. Knowing he lost it at high tide meant I didn’t have to get soaked. I still ventured out to about waist deep on my grid search. I started on the north end of the house and his sand mounds and worked south. When I made my turn on the far south end of the house, I hit a solid 17 on the VDI (visual display indicator), exactly the number I was looking for. I dug a couple of scoops, laid it out on the beach; spread the sand out with my foot and BINGO! I saw his ring lying in the sand. Cleaned the sand off, found a shell and took a picture. I sent him the picture and called him. He was so excited he had a hard time talking. Luckily, they were still in the area and having a Father’s Day Dinner with Abbey’s parents. They were just finishing up and would come back to get the ring. I was standing next to the car when they pulled up, stopped and got out of the car. Nathan was still excited and shocked to get his ring back. Great couple with matching wedding bands back where they belong!

Nathan and Abbey – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Take care of yourselves and each other and the very best of wishes.

Jim

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Key Fob Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Friday, June 19, 2026 as I was in the process of doing a grid search for a lost ring, a young lady came running up to me in a panic asking for help. I had my earphones and couldn’t understand what she was asking. When I removed them she said that they had lost their keys and could I please help. I left my scoop in the sand to mark my grid line and followed her down the beach. When I got to the area, I’m assuming her husband Jay said that he had lost his key fob and showed me the area. I made a couple of passes over the area with the coil and got a strong signal. I showed Jay the spot and he reached into the sand and retrieved the fob. All was well and the family could head home. Wish all the searches were that easy.

Jim

 

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Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned Sunset Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On June 10, 2026, just before 4 pm, I received a voice mail saying, “Hi, this is Mark. I’m calling Mr. Wren about finding a lost ring at Sunset Beach, NC. You can call me back at this number. Thank you.” I immediately called him back to get the details. When I called, I talked to Mark’s wife, Annemarie and she stated that she was at the beach and decided to take a swim. When she reached the water, she realized she still had her mother’s engagement ring and her grandmother’s wedding band on. She walked back up the beach, took her rings off and rolled them up in a towel to keep them safe. After a long swim, she returned to her spot and grabbed the towel to wrap herself up in and get warm. She forgot about the rings until she saw one fly out of the towel. She was able to flag down a roving lifeguard who helped find the wedding ring. I asked her if she could meet me, but she wasn’t able to until the next morning. Sunset Beach gets heavily detected, and I told her if we wait until the next day there’d be a good chance the ring would be gone. She finally told me where she had been sitting, which was under the pier. So I grabbed my detector and made the 30-minute drive. When I arrived, a good friend had also decided to hunt Sunset Beach. He always detects under the pier and then moves out east or west. I told him what I was there for and we walked out to the pier. I wasn’t real sure which section of the pier she was under. I ran into the lifeguard that helped find her wedding band and he pointed out the area. I turned my machine on and made a couple of swings and got a solid 9, showing me a yellow gold target. One scoop and I had the ring. I called her and we made arrangements for me to deliver it at 9 am the next day, which we did.

Annemarie – Thank you for allowing me to help find your mother’s engagement ring.

Jim

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2 Special Wedding Bands Combined into 1 in Tribute and Love for his Mother, Lost in the Ocean. Found and Returned on Carolina Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Thursday, June 4, 2026, and just after 6 p.m., I received the following text. “Hello Jim, I found you on ring finders and I am visiting Carolina Beach with my family. I lost my wedding ring at 4:45 p.m. today almost directly in front of lifeguard stand 5. I honestly would replace it if it was just a wedding band, but half of the ring is my late mothers who died when I was in my twenties. Thanks for your time and my name is Damien. I immediately sent him a text to call. I got more details on the situation and told him that we missed the tide for the day. We made arrangements to meet the next day before low tide.

On Friday, low tide wasn’t until 5 pm, giving way to stronger winds with higher and harder waves. Damien was waiting in his driveway when I arrived, and we made our way to find a place to park. We got lucky and got permission from one of the rental owners to park in his space. When we hit the beach, it was as I expected with lots of wind and good size waves. Damien pointed out the suspected area, which was between the #5 lifeguard stand and maybe 30 yards north. I started an east/west grid line getting out as far as I could with no luck. After close to a couple of hours and getting pounded by waves, I called the search off. I knew I’d be back; it was just a question of when.

Looking at Saturday morning’s low tide, the tide tables showed it was going to be around 5 am. That would mean I’d have to get up at 2:30 am to make the hour and half plus drive. I opted to wait until Sunday and hit the 7 am tide, leaving the house a little after 4am. On Sunday, everything went as planned and I arrived at the beach before 6 which gave me a little over an hour to search.

When I walked out on the beach, the wind and waves were as good as they were going to get. I started west of the lifeguard stand and got out about chest deep; farther than I expected to search for his ring. About halfway across the search area, as I made my turn to head back to shore, I swung the coil out and got a loud, solid signal. As I stuck the scoop in the sand, I noticed the target had settled inside the trough. The trough is what causes the waves to crash, which is exactly what was happening. Two scoops and I had the target out. I washed the sand out of the scoop in the waves and heard the clatter of the ring. Looking inside the scoop, there was Damian’s very special ring. While I was admiring the ring in my scoop, the coil was getting covered in sand that was washing into the trough with the waves. As I pulled the coil out of the sand, I broke the coil ears that connect the coil to the shaft. This flaw is one of the very few pitfalls of the Equinox 800s.

I took a picture of the ring and made my way back to the car. I headed to the rental Damian, and his family was staying in to give them a good morning surprise. Unfortunately, they had left the night before and had driven home. So at 7:13 am, I sent the picture along with a text saying, “You awake?? Yours?” At 8:39 am on my drive home I got a response, “That is it! Give me a sec, literally just woke up.” I called him shortly after and he was truly surprised his treasure was found. He texted me a little later saying how grateful he was that his special ring was found. He also stated in the text, “Half of that gold in the ring was from my mom who passed away in 2011. You can see the line in the ring where it separates it.” He sent me his address, and I got the ring in the mail Monday.

Damian – Thank you for trusting me to help find your very special and sentimental wedding band.

Jim

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2 White Gold Rings – Wedding band and Engagement Ring Lost in the Yard, Found and Returned Galivants Ferry SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Around 5 pm on Tuesday, June 3, 2026 after finishing up another search, I saw a text message on my phone. The text read, “Hi is this Mr. Wren? I found you on Google. I’m in Galivants Ferry SC, but wanted to see if this is too far out for you to help find my wedding ring and band.” I called the number attached to the text and talked with Sophia. She explained that she had lost her rings in her front yard. She gave me her address and I plugged it into my phone map. Told her I’d be there in about an hour and 20 minutes and was on my way.

When I arrived, I saw Sophia and her husband   Hunter sitting on the front porch. I met both in the front yard and Sophia showed me the area she thought the rings would be from the day before. However, she also said that she and Hunter had been out until late in the night with flashlights with no luck. She also said it had rained hard that night and was afraid the rings may have washed away. I assured her the rings were still where they fell. Although I had my Equinox 800, this was going to be a completely visual search. After searching the majority of the front yard, I decided to move my car out of the driveway. Hunter followed suit and moved their vehicle as well. I extended the search out and by now Hunter, Sophia, a neighbor and her son had joined in the search. Shortly after moving the cars, I spotted the wedding band and handed it to Sophia. A few minutes later Hunter spotted the engagement ring. Both rings had been hiding under their car the whole time. Another great ending!!!

Sophia – Thank you for calling me to help find your treasures and get them back where they belong. I wish all the best to you and Hunter!!

Jim

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White Gold w/Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring lost in the Ocean. Found and Returned Wrightsville Beach, NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Friday, May 22, 2026, just after 8:30 am, I received a call from the Oak Island, NC.  Ring Finder, John Finnerin. He asked if I could take a call from a young lady, Amanda, who lost her engagement ring on Wrightsville Beach, NC. I told him I’d be glad to and we hung up. Amanda called me and explained that she had lost her ring the day before. I told her I’d be there in about an hour and 30-40 minutes. On the way, I ask for an address where we could meet and a few more details. In some of her response she stated she probably lost it around 2 or 3pm and wasn’t sure if she lost it in the water or where they were sitting. She also said that they were in the water and did go out to chest deep around 2pm. I looked at the time I’d be there and where the tide was going to be and it didn’t look promising.

When I got to the meeting area, Blaine, her fiancé was waiting at the corner to direct me to parking. We walked up the street to the beach access and I met Amanda. We walked out on the beach and over to the area they had been sitting, Blaine thought it was another 30 yards south. Looking over the situation, it was very close to high tide, and the sea breeze had picked up and blowing some pretty good size waves up on the beach. About the only thing I was going to be able to accomplish then was going to be a grid search of the beach down to the water’s edge. I did an east/west grid search and eliminated the entire beach area. At that point, I was stalling for time hoping that the sea and wind would calm down, didn’t happen! I did try and see how far I could get out in the water. Unfortunately, when a wave hit me and knocked me down, causing me to break the cuff on my detector, my day was done. I came to the conclusion that I’d have to come back and hit the morning low tide for calm seas and before the sea breeze started. I don’t remember if I told Amanda and Blaine that I was going to come back or not. This was Friday, and because of the Memorial Day weekend, I wasn’t able to get back out until Tuesday morning around 9 am. I called my good friend Burwin, who has helped me numerous times and asked him if he was up for an adventure. I don’t think he’s ever told me no.

We showed up a little after 9 am on Tuesday and I asked him to start on the east side, and I’d start on the west side, and we’d meet in the middle. Both of us were doing a north/south grid line. Since I was down a detector, I broke out my Surf PI. I haven’t used that machine in years; it just gets heavy. I was probably a quarter of the way across my area and maybe shin deep when I got a hit. I pulled out 3 scoops of heavy wet sand before I got the target out of the hole. Spread the sand out and ran the coil over the area. Boom! I saw a round object packed with sand and reached down to pick it up. I had Amanda’s ring in my hand. I cleaned it off and took 3 pictures of it. I called Amanda, who was working, and asked her what her ring looked like. I knew I had it from the description she gave me on day one.  I also sent her the 3 pictures. As she’s explaining, she stopped and said, “My Ring!” I know there were tears flowing down her cheeks, and she couldn’t talk. I love the surprise reactions, makes it all worthwhile!! I was able to make it to the Post Office and get it in the mail. She should get it Friday.

Today, Saturday I got a text message with a picture of Amanda attached. The text said, “Officially got my ring back! We’re beyond grateful for your help Jim!!”

Amanda and Blaine – I’m so happy I could find your treasure. Thank you for trusting me to help.

Jim

 

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Man’s Tungsten Wedding Band Lost in the Soft Sand – Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On May 26, 2026, just before 6 pm, I received a call from Olivia about a lost ring. She said her husband Tyler had put his Tungsten wedding ring in a bag along with some towels and kid toys. Throughout the course of the day, things were removed and replaced in the bag. They suspected that at some point his ring had been accidently pulled out of the bag and fallen in the soft sand. She also said they had been sitting in the upper part of the beach and left the beach around 4 pm. This would have been right at high tide. To complicate matters, we’re in the King tide cycle, meaning excessive high and low tides. Olivia also stated that the high tide had come in and covered the upper beach, including the rental house stairs to the beach. I told her the best thing would be for me to come out around 11 pm to ensure the tide had gone back out. She agreed and we hung up. Around 7 pm, Olivia called me back concerned that I might have too late of a night. So, I asked her how about 9 pm and she agreed.

I showed up at 9 at the address she had given me. Tyler and Olivia’s uncle met me in the driveway. We walked about a block down to the beach access and out on the beach. We walked about another 30 yards east and they showed me the suspected area. Tyler confirmed his ring was silver Tungsten. I turned my Equinox 800 on, took a step and hit a solid 20 on the VDI (visual display indicator), definitely in the Tungsten ring range. I took a shallow scoop of sand, dumped it on the beach and took my foot and spread it out. With my headlamp on, I could see the outside of sand around a round object. I reached down and pulled Tyler’s ring out, turned around and handed it to him. He and Olivia’s uncle were both caugt off guard and completely surprised. We walked back to their house, enjoyed some conversation with Olivia and then I was on my way.

Olivia and Tyler, thank you for calling and trusting me to help find Tyler’s treasure. Best to both of you!

Jim

 

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White Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started at 9:30 am on Memorial Day, 2026 when I received a text from Maureen saying, “Hi, is this the ring finder gentleman? She went on to say, “I apologize so much, I know it’s a holiday, but I was told the sooner I try to get help finding it the better.  We were in front of the Carolinian Beach Resort on 25th Ave in Myrtle Beach with some friends yesterday and I lost my wedding band. It’s just a straight band with 5 diamonds across. It was given to me by my husband by his mom to give to me and I’m just devastated. I’ve been out with my dad’s metal detector once, and we are going to try and go out with it again today. Do you think there’s any chance in a million of finding it?” I immediately called the number, and it went to voice mail, so I text her to call me. When she called, I asked her if she could meet me and told her I could be there in about 30-40 minutes. She agreed, and I told her I was on my way.

When I got there, I texted her and she responded their GPS said they were about 16 minutes out. I asked her if she could give me a location on the beach with some landmarks, which she did. Luckily the beach wasn’t crowded yet, but there was a family just getting ready to set up their spot and it was very close to where I needed to search. I explained what I was doing and asked nicely if I could check their area really quick. They agreed and I quickly went over the area and got a solid 26 on the VDI (visual display indicator). Well, the 26 told me the target was in the silver range. This was way outside the single digits I expected for a white gold wedding band, which was what Maureen’s wedding band was. I dug the target and found a ring, it was nice looking, but one of the cheap rings people buy at the beach shops for $10 bucks. I thanked the family and waited for Maureen, her husband Miguel and their children.

Maureen and her family showed up a short time later and met me on the beach. Maureen walked to the south side of the area where they had been sitting. She said that she had taken her rings off and put them under the strap of her swimming suit top to put sunscreen on her and the kids. After she was done, her engagement ring was there but the wedding band had fallen out. I turned the Equinox 800 back on and started a north/south grid. Within just a few minutes, I got a booming 6 on the VDI, Bingo!! This was exactly what I was expecting for her white gold ring. Took a scoop of sand, shook out the sand and saw her ring in the bottom of the scoop. I held the scoop out to her and let her pull her treasure out. She was so excited, and some tears started to flow. Perfect ending and another chapter to add to her ring story.

Maureen – Thank you so much for calling and trusting me to help find your precious ring, so glad I could help. I wish all the best to you and Miguel.

Jim

 

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Man’s Wedding Band Launched from the 7th Floor Balcony Towards the Beach. Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Monday, May11, 2026, at 9:45 am, I got a call from Cory asking if I could help find his wedding band. I asked him when he lost it, whether in the water or soft sand, and if he was still in the area, He filled in the details for me, and I told him I could probably be there in an hour after I finished a couple of errands. I asked him to send me the address and that I’d text him when I was on my way. He text me the address of the hotel, I finished up my errands, and I text him that I was on my way.

When I arrived at about 10:40 am, I met Cory on the beach behind the hotel. I got a few more details on what happened and about where he lost his ring. Turns out, he lost it last night and there was a little alcohol involved, combined with a lover’s spat, and a heck of a throwing arm. He tossed the ring from the balcony on the 7th floor and said he thought it made it to the beach. He also said that he saw the beach cleaning truck go by about 5 am right over the area. The truck claws they drag in the sand usually don’t pick up rings but can pick up chains. I started an east west grid search from the hotel beach entrance and found nothing but bottle caps. I moved to inside the entrance and checked around the undergrowth and along the sand path. I finally hit a solid 10-11 on the VDI (visual display indicator). Cory said his ring was silver, so I was expecting a number in the low 20s. I was digging everything, so I dug the signal – Bingo!!! I picked the ring up, put it on just over my first knuckle and walked out to where Cory was. I held my finger up and asked, “Is this yours?” A huge smile appeared on his face, he said yes, I handed him his ring, and I got a big bear hug. Nothing beats returning someone’s treasure.

Cory and Nikki – I wish you all the best. Thanks for calling me!

Jim

 

 

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3 Property Markers Found – Conway SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got a call from Terri on Thursday, May 7th asking if I could help find the property markers in her yard. We agreed to meet the next day on Friday. Unfortunately, Terri called me Friday and said something came up and she’d call me to reschedule. Today, Saturday, she called back and said she was available. Neither one of us had anything going on, so I jumped in the car and made the short trip.

When I arrived, I met Terri and Joe in the driveway, and they showed me the area of the front marker. They told me the first marker was directly off a sign posted on the side of the road. I turned on my Equinox, checked the area and got nothing. They were positive on the area, so I changed to my Gold Bug II detector. A few sweeps of the area and boom, I found the first marker. We moved to the back of the yard, and I lined up with the neighbor’sH fence and the first marker. Couple of swings and found the second one. Joe and I walked across the back of the yard to find a third marker. As we’re walking Joe mentioned that he had bought both lots, so we were looking for the back marker in the second lot. Luckily that marker had a white survey pole stuck in the ground just inside the wooded area. Bingo, all 3 markers found and marked.

Terri and Joe – Thank you for calling me to help find your markers.

Take care – Jim

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