Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 15 of 36

This ring find began when I got a text from Ben who was on vacation from San Antonio, Texas and was staying at the Aulani Resort. After going for a swim, Ben was coming ashore when a wave hit him from behind and as he put his hand down to break his fall his yellow gold wedding band slipped off in shallow water and disappeared. He googled, « lost ring in Hawaii » and the ring finders came up along with a recent hunt I had done at the adjoining Four Seasons Hotel. I answered Ben’s text by calling him and letting him know once I finished some personal business I’d grab my gear and head over. I was dreading rush hour traffic but the delay was only about 15 minutes. When I arrived Ben met me down at the beach and proceeded to show me the location his ring fell off. First target on about the fifth leg of the grid was a « No Cash Value » token Ben said the resort uses for their laundry machines. Then only about two feet away I got another tone and in one scoop there was Ben’s yellow gold band gleaming in the setting sunlight. I raised the ring in the air and motioned towards Ben on the beach that I had found the ring. He had a look of disbelief I think because it happened so quickly. Vacation saved. Aloha to Ben!

This ring find began yesterday when I got a text from James who was on vacation from Vacaville, California. While swimming back to shore at Kahanamoku Beach the previous day a wave hit James from behind and his ring flew off into the shore break and disappeared. After texting me a pic of where he was I realized the area was probably detected many times over except maybe the rubble area which was in his picture. I checked with a few friends who hadn’t been detecting so I texted James that I would try the next morning at low tide. James texted me some photos of their day at the beach and I was able to locate some large coral chunks as a starting point for my grid search. It was still dark when I arrived but decided I better beat the other detectorists that would surely be joining me. First two targets were trash and then I got two dimes in a row. I was starting to exit the picture area but James said it was approximate so I decided to move on. Next screaming target was a 14K white gold ladies wedding band. I wasn’t expecting that but this is the rocky area most detectorists avoid. Then another detectorist joined me and asked how I was doing. I showed him the ring and he said « Score ». Continuing on I got a third dime. Then when I was about to call it a lost cause I got another target with a « 16 » on the Nox in ankle deep water and in one scoop there was a White Gold Wedding Ring in the scoop. Quite a ways from the picture area but this could be it. I noticed a date inside the ring which James hadn’t told me about. I went back to the car and gave him a call. They were flying back to Cali today but were still in the hotel and about 15 minutes away. I told James I found a White Gold ring and asked if his had a date. He said yes and asked, « What is the date? » I said, « No, you tell me the date. » He shouted out the date inscribed and we agreed to meet at the Gilligan’s Snack Truck for the return. James arrived with his lovely wife Erin and we had a reunion of the ring with the rightful owner. Vacation ends on a high note! Aloha to James & Erin!

This ring find began yesterday afternoon when I received an email from Rayna who lives in Kapolei on Oahu. While enjoying the day with her friend her Gold Hawaiian Heirloom Ring fell off into shallow water in Lanikuhonua Lagoon near Paradise Cove and disappeared. I immediately looked at the tide chart and because of a high surf warning at that moment I decided to go the next morning at low tide. The lagoon is somewhat protected but during high tide it flows like a river to Paradise Cove lagoon. The monk seals actually use it as a navigation route to get into that deeper lagoon. I arrived around 5:30AM as the sun was coming up and there was enough light to start my search. A few moments later Rayna showed up and showed me the exact location she was in the lagoon. A gentleman named Shane came with her to assist in any way he could. I immediately started my grid search and on the third leg I got a loud « 17 » on the Nox and in one scoop there was Rayna’s beautiful heirloom ring she got from her Grandma. I shouted over to her on the shoreline, « Got it! » She came running over and tears of joy wear falling down her face. She was extremely relieved the precious ring was found and she hugged me in thanks. Her tears certainly turned into a lovely smile! Aloha to Rayna!

This ring find began when I got a text from Krisgel which read « I lost my engagement ring on Friday. I dropped it near the shore of Kailua Beach. I really hope you can help me find it ». I immediately called but there was no answer or voicemail option. The area code was for Dallas, Texas so I knew they must be tourists. I tried a few minutes later and thankfully Stephen, Krisgel’s husband answered and confirmed the ring was still lost and they didn’t tell anyone else. I told Stephen I was heading home and would grab my gear and asked if we could meet at Kailua Beach. He agreed and off we went. Kailua Beach was packed when I arrived and after three laps through the parking lot I left to see if I could find street parking which is a major headache in Kailua and they are cracking down. To my amazement as I turned around a car was loading in front of me so I pulled over and waited. They were quick so I parked and called Stephen. He had to be dropped off because they couldn’t find parking either.
We met at the Kayak Rentals and he took me down to where the ring was lost. As you can see in the picture the conditions weren’t ideal to say the least and I was thinking I might have to return the next morning at the low tide. I entered the water to test the surf and surge and I was able to keep my position so I started a search. First I walked out to chest deep water to see what the bottom was like and it was solid sand. The ring was lost two days prior so I’m thinking it could be anywhere by now. I decided to search the shore break first to see if it got washed up. Only found a child’s small beach shovel and thankfully the beach was fairly sterile otherwise. I moved out to the deepest area Krisgel was and did a search parallel to the shore. First target a pull tab, then a nickel, then another pull tab. I was able to stay on grid so I continued on. Then on the second grid the Nox screamed a 12-13 and on the second scoop I saw the monster rock diamond in the scoop. I barely saw the ring! I yelled toward Stephen  » I think I got it! » By now Krisgel joined us after parking and we all met on the shoreline. They reached into the scoop and exclaimed,  » I can’t believe you found it. » Krisgel immediately put the stunning ring back on her finger and kept saying « Thank you so much! » We had a few hugs and handshakes and then parted ways. Vacation saved! Aloha to Krisgel & Stephen!

This ring find began when I got an emotional call and plea to come down to the Moana Surfrider Beach in Waikiki to find Dinah’s Platinum & Diamonds Engagement Ring that she just lost in the water. Dinah told me the lifeguards hunted with detectors but couldn’t find her ring in waist deep water. I told Dinah I usually won’t hunt after a lifeguard search for reasons I don’t like to discuss. Let’s just say it’s not always on the Up and Up. She was so distraught I went against my instincts and told my wife Wendy I had to go give it a shot. Waikiki is finally experiencing an onslaught of tourists and parking is non-existent so my wife said she could drop me off then deliver a few items to her brother that lives nearby Waikiki. Perfect! I told Dinah I’d grab my gear and meet her in front of the Moana Surfrider in 20 minutes. When I arrived Dinah was so grateful and she and her fiance’ Vince walked me down to the beach to show me where the ring was lost. Dinah and Vince are from Northern California and on vacation in Waikiki. Dinah decided to go for a swim and when she was returning a wave pulled her out to sea then the next threw her to a seated position in the water and her ring popped off and disappeared. It’s like soup with zero visibility and she tried to locate the ring but only a detector could do it now. I was pleased to see the lifeguards that attempted to search were two of the good guys so I was sure the ring was still here. They also added some clues as to the location due to tide changes. Every piece of information helps and they suggested I try the low tide trough first. I did just that and got a pull tab and a beaver tail. Each took several scoops to retrieve as the surf was going from thigh to neck deep constantly. After no luck in the trough I decided to go up the wet sand slope and then back into the water neck deep. On the third up slope I got a screaming « 16 » on the Nox and in one scoop of the wet sand there was Dinah’s stunning ring glistening in the sunlight. Dinah initially told me her ring was white gold but this ring was platinum but looked exactly like the picture she showed me when I arrived. Sure enough it was her ring and Dinah was so overcome with joy she couldn’t stop hugging me. She had just Googled how to pray the Rosary when I called over to her to tell her I found it. The Lord works in mysterious ways and I feel blessed to be able to enjoy this hobby so much. We all embraced and shook hands and the folks on the beach were clapping and shouting « Congratulations ». I Love this and Aloha to Dinah & Vince!

This Ring Find began yesterday when I got a text from Nick whose on vacation on Oahu from Palm Springs California. While rinsing the sand off his hand in the water his Damascus Steel & Koa Inlaid Wedding ring fell off and disappeared in the sand. The family searched as thoroughly as they could but the ring wouldn’t reveal itself. I told Nick I had a hunt in Waikiki the next morning but as soon as that was complete I’d head his way. Thankfully the east side was as calm as it gets and when I arrived Nick led me out behind the house to where the ring fell off. The depth when the ring came off was only calf deep but that would be waist deep now. The first target was a #7 lead sinker. A few feet further and the Nox went off on a mixed number target and in one scoop their was Nick’s Unique ring in the scoop. I shouted up to the house got it and the response was « WOW! » That was quick. This could have been a very painful hunt as Nick told me there is plenty of fishing weights in the water. Awesome short hunt and Nick and his lovely wife Katie were so grateful. Aloha to Katie & Nick!

This ring find began yesterday when I got the following message on Metal Detecting Oahu face book page. « Hello,
I’m here on my honeymoon and lost my wedding ring on my one week anniversary (yes I’m they guy… very upset about it). it’s a 7mm platinum ring with a brushed middle portion and shiny edges on a step-down. it was lost about 100 yards to the east of the pier at the end of Kapahulu Ave. » I immediately called Anders whose from Washington DC and we decided to hunt right away because it was a low tide and I feared the Night Detectorist’s would find this Treasure. We met on the beach 20 minutes later and Anders placed me in the area he thought the ring fell off which was straight down from the volleyball nets. After a thorough search with no find, Anders started questioning his location and thought we should look more towards the pier. Funny how we can lose our perspective when the sun goes down. It was dark and I was hunting with my head mounted spot light. Anders also thought the ring would be close to shore near the low tide mark. Still no ring found. I told Anders since the tide was coming up and it was getting pretty rough no one would want to detect there over night. I told him I’d return at the early morning low tide and try again. As I was leaving I ran into another detectorist who was working his way towards the area and he said he was only doing dry & wet sand that night. I told him if he found a Platinum Ring to give me a call. I arrived at the crack of dawn and the tide was down and surf minimal from the night before. I decided to start close to the pier and work East. Since there were two rows of volleyball nets I decided to cover them both and beyond. I also decided to go out to the reef’s edge just in case. First target was a Men’s Tungsten Ring which had been in the water a long time. Then a few coins. After about 45 minutes I was on what I figured would be the last leg and well out of the zone Ander’s had provided the night before when the Nox screamed on a « 17 » tone near the reef and after one scoop to my surprise there was Ander’s shiny platinum ring in the scoop. I looked skyward and said, « Thank you Jesus ». I cleaned up my gear and when I was able to take a pic I texted it to Anders. I tried calling but his phone went to voicemail. Then I saw an OMG on my phone and Anders called. Him and his lovely wife Rebecca were on scooters and would be there in a few minutes. Smiles all around and Honeymoon saved. Aloha to Rebecca & Anders!