Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 18 of 36

This ring find began on 31 August 2018 for me when I was searching the Aulani Lagoon for a Gold Wedding Band. Smack in the Middle of the Lagoon in waist deep water I got a screaming target on my Excalibur and in one scoop I found a stunning Platinum 3 piece Bridal Set ring in my scoop. As with all other rings I find I posted it on my website « Metal Detecting Oahu » and it remained there until 8 April 2020 when I got a text from Guillermo from Whittier, California. In the text he told me his wife lost her ring on 07 June 2017 at the Aulani Lagoon and while in quarantine in California his wife Arlene stumbled across one of my old posts that had a picture of a very familiar ring. They had periodically checked with the Aulani Resort lost & found over the years but with no success. They were able to describe exactly the ring’s details and where it was lost. I only post high quality ring pictures with no details. They also sent me a wedding photo of the ring on Arlene’s finger. There was no doubt in my mind so I texted back, « So happy this ring found its true owner. Blessed. » I included a current shot of the stunning ring. They texted back « A thousand thank yous Sir and that they were crying & laughing » since I informed them with a follow up call. The story doesn’t end there. The Post Office recommended Registered Mail as the safest way to return the ring so I immediately mailed it Saturday morning. It tracked to Los Angeles quite quickly and we were hoping for a Wednesday delivery. Next thing I know the tracking notice says the ring is in New York City. What the heck? Thankfully, the next day it returned to California and it was on Arlene’s finger this evening. Nearly three years since it was lost. This is the longest ring find in my book. Blessings and Aloha to Arlene & Guillermo!

This ring find began when I got a call from 4 Seasons Security. Security wanted to know if I could come out to the resort and look for a guest’s ring in the lagoon. Since it was getting late I told them I’d be there at first light. The next morning Security met me on the beach and showed me the general area to hunt and if I found the ring to let them know. I went back to my car to get my Equinox & scoop and when I returned to the beach I met Sean from Sydney Australia. He told me he was the person who lost the ring and confirmed the search area. He told me the previous day after applying sun lotion he walked into the lagoon and in waist deep water his Southern Hemisphere white gold ring fell off. He saw it hit the water then disappear. He told me his wife who would be arriving later today had the Northern Hemisphere ring and they went together to complete the Earth. I had to find it PLEASE!!! I swept this area the previous day so their weren’t any targets until about the fourth leg of the grid search and boom the Nox is screaming. One dig and there in my scoop is half the world in white gold. I motioned to Sean who was on the shoreline that I found it and I swear it looked like he burst into tears. So happy to help reunite these magnificent rings. Aloha to Sean!

This ring find started back on October 10th 2019 when I met Ian from Roseville California. While enjoying his vacation at 4 Seasons Resort his Titanium Wedding band came off somewhere in the lagoon. My initial search didn’t find Ian’s ring and the search area would include scuba as Ian was swimming in a large swath of the lagoon. Then there was a spell of bad weather and surf. A few scuba dives still yielded no ring. Finally on Friday March 6 on a dive outside of Ian’s grid I found a Black Titanium Ring with « Modern Gents » engraved on the inside. I immediately texted the picture to Ian to confirm the recovery. After consultation with the Jeweler it was looking like this might not be his ring. Then the Jeweler confirmed it was possible as they work with other vendors. I told Ian I would mail the ring to him so he could confirm himself once and for all. Ian confirmed it was in fact his ring by sending me a pic and a « Shaka ». Glad to finally get that ring find settled. Aloha to Ian!

This ring find began back on 25 January when I received a call from Reeve from Hong Kong who works as a Mechanical Engineer at University of Hawaii’s Makai Pier. While playing in the water along the Pier with his dog at some point his ring came off. He snorkeled around looking for the ring but no luck. The area had a sandy bottom and looked like an easy hunt. When I arrived the next morning Reeve described the area he was in. As I entered the water with my Equinox to start the grid search the detector started going off. The area along the pier is littered with coins, fishing weights and can slaw. To make matters worse just a few inches under the sand were rocks, coral and stones and that made it practically impossible to scoop targets. I told Reeve I would have to return on scuba but my gear was at the shop getting annual checks. When I finally got my gear back the weather played havoc with gale force winds & torrential rain. So finally this AM Reeve and I saw an opportunity and I took off a few hours from work to hunt. This time on scuba with my Excalibur I was able to eliminate many targets by their tone. Then about 20 minutes into the dive I got a nice low tone and in one scoop with my hand there was Reeve’s Gold Wedding Band glistening in the Sunlight. Six weeks in the ocean and it was within an inch of the surface. Reeve texted a picture of himself wearing the ring and his wife was elated and very gracious to me for finding it. Challenging hunt with a happy ending. Aloha to Reeve!

This ring find began when I received a text from David on his honeymoon from Switzerland. While enjoying the cool waters of Ala Moana Beach Park and discussing with his lovely wife Corinne that his Wedding Band felt loose and in his next breath the ring fell off in waist deep water. He tried fruitlessly for over an hour to find his ring in the shallow water but the sand consumed it. I told David I would grab my Nox and gear and head straight down. It was only 15 minutes away and surprisingly there was parking adjacent to where David lost his Wedding Band. When I arrived David helped me draw some grid lines in the sand and then I entered the water to hunt. First target was a 20-21 Lincoln Cent. Then on about the fifth grid line I got another 20-21 signal and after missing the target three times I looked in the scoop expecting the penny when low and behold there was David’s 18k Gold Wedding Band. Got to dig those pennies folks. After a few hugs and Mahalos David and Corinne graciously thanked me for saving their honeymoon. Aloha to David & Corinne!

This ring find began when I got a text last evening from Jim who hails from Santa Cruz, California. While playing football with his son at some point his white gold wedding band came off. After ensuring no one else knew about the lost ring I told Jim I needed to get there immediately before another detectorist finds his ring in the dry sand. I stopped what I was doing and circled home to get my gear for this dry sand hunt. Jim texted me a pin location on google maps and when I arrived I called him to confirm. Jim was able to recall a significant amount of location data that I was able to draw a grid in the sand of about 100 by 75 feet. I started the hunt and after two beaver tails and a quarter I got a nice beep on the Nox and in one scoop there was Jim’s white gold wedding band. I texted Jim a pic of his found ring and he said he would be right down to retrieve it. Thankful the night detectors hadn’t started yet. Aloha to Jim!!!

This ring find began when I got a text from Janet who was on her Honeymoon with her husband Brian from Toronto Canada. While enjoying a swim at Kuhio Beach Brian’s Gold & Silver wedding band fell off in waist deep water. A quick look around in the water and of course the sand swallowed the ring from view. Brian took careful notice to where he was in the water and his new bride Janet found the ring finders on a Google search. It was near the end of my work day so I called Janet and we were able to arrange for them to meet me on the beach in about 45 minutes. Thankfully the weather was cold and overcast so other detectorists were no where in sight of this heavily detected Beach. When I arrived Brian & Janet took me down to the beach to set the grid. Brian actually modified the grid 5 yards to the East and it was a good thing he did as on the third leg of the search in thigh deep water I got a nice 11-12 on the Nox and in one scoop there was Brian’s Wedding Band. The Newlyweds erupted into cheer and clapping and the tourists around us joined in. I love these moments. After a few handshakes and hugs Brian & Janet were off to enjoy the rest of their Honeymoon. Aloha to Janet & Brian.

This ring find began when I got a call from Tanya who was on vacation with her family from Fresno, California. While her husband John was playing catch with a football in the lagoon at some point his Gold & Diamonds Wedding Band came off. He wasn’t positive it was in the lagoon as he only recognized it missing when they got back to their lounge chairs…but that would be the most logical place. The tide was high and it was late evening so we decided to meet at the lagoon the next morning at low tide. John & Tanya met me and John showed me the area he was sure he was in when they were playing with the football. I told John to go have a breakfast and be sure his phone was on in case i got good news. On the second leg of the grid BOOM on the Equinox. After two scoops there was a gold & diamonds ring in the scoop. But wait, that’s not his ring it doesn’t have the distinctive curve that was in the picture he sent me the night before. On with the grid search. Then when I was exactly in the middle of the grid box and at about the deepest walking depth I got another BOOM on the Nox. One scoop this time and there was John’s amazing ring in my scoop. I called them with the good news and we met on the beach again for the return. Hugs and grateful thanks from the entire Family. Warm way to start the 2020 New Year. Aloha to John & Tanya!

This ring find began when I got a message on my Metal Detecting Oahu Facebook page. Stephen from San Diego lost his Titanium Wedding Band at Kaimana Beach on Monday November 18th. He wasn’t sure if it was in the water or sand he only noticed it missing after playing with his children on the beach. Thankfully the tide and surf was up that evening so other detectorists would stay away. I was going to wait for a low tide so I could get into the water at least chest deep to cover all the area Stephen could have been. He knew he didn’t go past the lifeguard shack so I started my hunt off the Natatorium Wall and worked toward the shack. I found a few coins which was an indication the ring was probably still here. After about 30 minutes and 2/3s of the way to the shack I got a strong hit on the Nox and in one scoop there was Stephen’s wedding ring. I texted a pic of the ring to Stephen and he responded immediately, « Wow! Just landing in San Diego!!! What a Blessing!!! I arranged to pass the ring to his friend Karl on Oahu and he got the ring back to Stephen a few weeks later. Respecting Stephen’s wishes I only posted a picture of the ring back on his hand with the Hawaiian Shaka! Aloha to Stephen!

This ring find began when I got a text from Anika who lives on the North Shore of Oahu. While throwing a ball to her dog at the beach Anika felt her Grandmother’s heirloom ring come off and she wasn’t quite sure what trajectory it went. She thought it could be in the dry sand to the shallow water. We decided to meet early the next morning at Kaiaka Beach. When I arrived Anika pointed out the area between two trees and out towards the water. I started my search on the dry sand and worked towards the water. Thankfully the beach was fairly sterile of metal trash. I finished the dry sand area quickly and was working down the steep slope to the crashing surf below. Please God don’t make me go in there. About a third of the way down the slope I got a 17-18 nice solid tone on the Equinox and in one scoop there was Anika’s precious ring. She burst into tears when I showed her the ring. She had mentioned that their was a rainbow on the water when she arrived at the beach this morning and she thought that was a sign for a successful recovery. A little prayer went a long way too. Aloha to Anika!