Most Recent Discovery Category | Page 5 of 493 | The Ring Finders

Lost Gold Signet Ring While Working in Backyard — Found!

  • from Marietta (Georgia, United States)
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John’s Gold Signet Ring Recovery — The Hunt Begins

The call came in around 10:30 that morning.

John had lost something very special in his backyard — an engraved gold signet ring. He had been doing some landscaping when the ring disappeared, and despite searching, he just couldn’t find it.

When I arrived, John showed me the area where he thought he had lost it.

The area was a fairly steep beautiful back yard, terraced bank covered with grass and pine straw, with landscape lights, metal plant stakes, and plenty of other metal throughout the area. I knew right away I was going to be hearing all kinds of signals and would have to carefully work through each one.

I started at the lower end of the bank and began working my way through the area.

High tones.
Low tones.
Iron tones.
More metal.

There was a lot going on underneath that pine straw.

Before I started, I had asked John if he had a picture of the ring. Fortunately, he did. That turned out to be a big help because I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for — and what kind of signal that gold signet ring might produce.

After about 20–30 minutes of searching, I got a signal that caught my attention.

It was a multi-tone signal, and it sounded like there were two pieces of metal sitting right next to each other.

That was enough to make me stop and investigate.

I started digging…

Pulled back the pine straw…

And there it was.

BINGO! 🎯

One large men’s engraved gold signet ring!

After working through all those signals and fighting through the terrain, that moment when the ring finally appears is what makes these recoveries so rewarding.

Most importantly, John got his ring back.

Another lost ring found.
Another happy owner.

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Lost Men’s Gold Wedding Band Recovered and Returned – Charleston SC

  • from Summerville (South Carolina, United States)
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Background:  I received my first TRF call on 15-Oct-26 from Linda that her husband David had just dropped his gold wedding band at a dock on the Stono River at Fort Pemberton Park in Charleston SC.  They were visiting from Indiana and were returning home within a few days.  He was fishing at the dock, which had just opened in September and his ring slipped off and fell in the water right near a piling.  I got as many details as I could and set a plan to meet the next day well before low tide.  Linda estimated the water depth at 4 feet deep during an outgoing tide.  Low tide on Friday 16-Oct was to occur just before 7:00 pm.  Sunset was at 6:46 pm.

On Site Conditions:  No Swimming Signs! Possible bull shark habitat, some chance for alligator encounters (but not concerned about either after searching incident history).  The water depth was about 8-9 feet deep two hours prior to low tide.  The current and water depth made a normal jump in the water and sweeps with the detector virtually impossible.  No access to the water level except for climbing down to the cross-bracing right at the piling where the ring was dropped into the water.  The cross-bracing being at the right spot was a game changer.

Gear:  Minelab Manticore, titanium CKG scoop and carbon fiber shaft, ProFind 40 pinpointer, wetsuit, 16′ aluminum telescoping pole, duct tape.

Approach:  Since the water was too deep and the sun was going down as low tide neared, the only option I could attempt was to duct tape my detector to the 16′ telescoping pole, then climb down the dock structure to sweep with the headphone coil stretched out – effectively creating a 14′ long detector!  After sweeping the probable area, I hit on some good target IDs (and had to raise it up above the water quickly) to see the screen each time.  Once I had some good hits, I had to climb back up, remove the pole from the detector and tape the scoop to it.  After several scoops of clay-like mud and oyster shells, I pulled up a tear drop sinker, hook and leader – classic fake out target ID for gold.  After another climb up to the dock, I swapped the scoop out for the detector and duct taped it up again.  After finding more good target IDs around the spot at the piling, I switched back to taping the scoop to the pole again.  I found another fake out item – a small, open pocket knife.  As the sun was going down and the fatigue of scooping mud and oysters, shaking and sifting for what was now the 20-30th time, I began thinking I’d have to return in the morning.  In the back of my mind, each time I washed the clay off my hand I was expecting a friendly nibble from a juvenile bull shark – or worse.  It was near dark, mosquitoes swarming and balancing on the cross-brace while wresting the leverage of scooping and sifting each time were taking their toll.  Linda was telling me to let her know when I was going to take my last scoop to take pics, etc.  I had taken the last several scoops near the piling, but a little downstream to factor in the drift from the tide.  I figured I would check the scoop I had and then do one more before climbing back up.

Closure:  After two hours, I sifted the scoop that I knew would almost be the last – only one more would be all I could handle by then.  After a little sifting and using my hand to feel the clay, in near darkness, I barely saw the unmistakeable shape and shimmer of a gold wedding band!  I kept quiet and carefully put the ring on my finger, clenched my fist and yelled « I think I’m gonna come up ».  Linda said « You should »…. I responded « I’m coming up because I found the ring!! ».  Screams erupted everywhere.  What a great moment and I was so glad to recover this ring for Linda and David!  A little luck, a nod from God, and some ingenuity to use the detector and scoop in 8-10′ of water all paid off!  This could not have been a better ending as they reach their 30th anniversary soon!

More pictures showing the level of difficulty for this recovery: https://photos.app.goo.gl/csnN9fJEUfibGx1P9

 

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Lost Yellow Gold and Gemstones Ring at Four Seasons Hotel Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Dylan on Wednesday October 7th who was on vacation from Riverside, California.  Dylan texted, « Hey, my girlfriend lost a ring in the lagoon right outside the Four Seasons Oahu Ko Olina.  We were basically on the shore but it slipped off her finger probably when we were a foot deep in the water. »  I agreed to meet them on the beach for a hunt.  Dylan had me search one area and when it wasn’t found Samantha arrived and thought it would be more to the South.  No ring was found.  I told them I would do another hunt on Saturday morning.  After looking at their pin drop more closely, if it was accurate, the ring should be further North.  So that’s where I started my search.  So sure enough, about 20 minutes into the hunt, I got a nice tone in shallow water and in one scoop there was Samantha’s pretty ring in the scoop.  I texted them a pic and we arranged for a mail return as they were back in Riverside.  Got a pic today with smiles and the ring back on her finger where it belongs.  Aloha to Samantha & Dylan!

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39th Wedding Anniversary to Myrtle Beach S.C., foiled by mishap with Man’s Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started when I got a voice message on October 12, 2026, at 9:23 a.m. saying in part, “This is David calling. I lost a ring in the ocean. We’re staying at the Dayton resort in Myrtle Beach. I’m wondering if the ring can be found or we can at least try.” I answered the call mid-sentence and talked with David. He advised me that he lost the ring last Wednesday, which was 5 days ago around 12 to 1 p.m. in waist deep water.  A quick look at the tide table for last Wednesday showed he lost it right at low tide. He also said he was between waist to chest deep and wasn’t really sure of the area. There were a whole lot of bad possibilities with this search. One, waist to chest deep at low tide, Two, not real sure of the area, Three, we just had hurricane Isaias that brought in lots of sand and heavy surf, Four, lost 5 days ago, and Five that part of Myrtle Beach is heavily detected, especially after a storm. Ok, it was worth a shot, plus I have a hard time saying “no” to someone asking for help. Looking at tide tables again, I saw today’s low tide was going to be around 3:30 p.m. I asked David if he could meet me there about 2:30 to show me the area. He agreed and we set the time for 2:30 p.m.

When I arrived on the beach, I met up with David, his wife Donna and their two daughters Janaya and Aundrea. Aundrea was the one that found me through Google and referred me to her dad. Janaya is the one that first realized her dad had lost his ring. They were sitting around the pool and Janaya asked her dad, “dad, where’s your ring?” Guess things went downhill from there, because he had been in the ocean and really had no idea where the ring had come off. Janaya had told me that her dad had gotten knocked down by the waves and used his left hand in the sand to push himself back up. So, I suspected that’s how his ring came off. I asked David where I should start the search and how far over I needed to go. He set me up at the corner of a resort that was getting remodeled and had cranes next to the building. His end point was the third resort down from there. All told, it was about a football field size area.  I started an east/west (shore to ocean) grid search out to where the waves were hitting the breakers and was about stomach deep. In the process, I ran into another three guys detecting. One, a friend said he had been out there Saturday and there were 7 other people with detectors. Something I’ve noticed though, is most people detecting stay in the wet to dry sand, I rarely see anyone in the ocean detecting. After about 2 hours with no success, I met up with David. He asked if I’d mind starting at my original starting point and work a little more to the north. I was probably 5 or 6 lines north of my starting point and waist to stomach deep when I hit an iffy signal. Knowing I was looking for a man’s thin gold wedding band, I was expecting anywhere from a 13 to an 18 on the Equinox VDI (visual display indicator). This target was jumping from 13-15. It took me 3 full scoops of sand to finally get the target out of the hole. On the third scoop, I washed the sand out and heard the distinct sound of metal rattling in the metal scoop. I looked in and saw a thin yellow gold wedding band that matched David’s description perfectly. BINGO! I walked out of the ocean trying to figure out a good surprise for David and Donna when I ran into Janaya and Aundrea walking up the beach. I put myself between them and David and Donna, who were sitting up in the dry sand and told them, “Don’t show any excitement, but is this your dad’s ring,” as I held it up. Their eyes got big and both said “yes” at the same time. I told them, “Let’s go surprise your mom and dad.” We walked up to David and Donna, and I don’t remember how I did it, but they were both shocked and amazed that his ring was found. We took lots of pictures and their Anniversary vacation was saved. I love returning people’s special treasures when they thought they were gone forever.

David, Donna, Janaya and Aundrea – You are an amazing family, and I am so glad I could help find David’s treasure back where it belongs. Plus, I got a chance to meet you all. Thank you for trusting me to help find his ring.

Jim

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Lost Wedding ring at Underwood Farms in Moorpark CA found by Dave TheRingFinder

  • from Santa Barbara (California, United States)
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If you have lost your wedding ring, a bracelet, golden grill, or a necklace, don’t waste the time or the money buying or renting a metal detector. Instead hire an expert metal detecting professional like Dave The RingFinder! Dave is the “metal detective” and knows how to stack the odds in your favor to get your precious jewelry back. Call or text Dave at 805-290-5009 so he can create a plan to get your ring back!

Last night I got a call from Lori who is the supervisor at Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark about a lost ring. Lori is also my boss several days a week as my wife and I work during the various festivals the farm puts on throughout the year. This time it is the Fall festival and a recently married young lady had lost her wedding ring somewhere in front of the produce stand while picking up pumpkins.

I told Lori that I would come in early before my 9am shift and detect the area and determine whether or not the ring was there. I arrived a bit before 8am and the farm was already buzzing with activity. Underwood Family farms is the place to be in SoCal if you are looking for a real and unique farm experience and also if you need 1 or a hundred pumpkins for the fall. I immediately began to work the areas in-between and around the hay and pumpkins in front of the produce stand. Pennies, dimes and nickels were everywhere but a gold ring was not. That is until I got around one of the cashier booths. I got a nice, tight 13 signal on my Manticore that was easily distinguishable between the coins. I turned on my pinpointer and located the target and up came the wedding ring. Even though I had to still go to work at the farm my job that day was finished! Dave The Ringfinder with another wedding ring saved!

Wait — Time Is Critical After a Ring Loss in Ventura or Santa Barbara County

Whether you lost a ring, necklace, bracelet, or other jewelry on a Ventura or Santa Barbara County beach, in shallow surf, in a backyard, at a park, or in an open field — the clock starts the moment it’s gone. Shifting tides, moving sand, and other detectorists can all work against recovery the longer you wait. Skip the metal detector rental and trust the expert — Dave The RingFinder.

Dave The RingFinder proudly serves:

Ventura County: Ventura · Oxnard · Port Hueneme · Camarillo · Thousand Oaks · Moorpark · Simi Valley · Fillmore · Santa Paula · Ojai

Santa Barbara County: Santa Barbara · Carpinteria · Goleta · Montecito · Summerland · Lompoc · Santa Maria · Solvang · Buellton

Notable beaches and recovery locations: Mondo’s Beach · Surfer’s Point · San Buenaventura State Beach · Rincon Beach · Carpinteria State Beach · East Beach Santa Barbara · West Beach Santa Barbara · McGrath State Beach Oxnard · Silver Strand Beach · Mandalay Beach

Dave also occasionally takes on recoveries in nearby Malibu by request — reach out if your loss happened outside the core service area above.

About Dave The RingFinder — Ventura County’s Metal Detecting Specialist

Dave The RingFinder has been recovering lost jewelry with a metal detector since 2011 and has operated full-time as a professional ring and jewelry recovery specialist since 2017. Also known as The Metal Detective, Dave brings professional-grade equipment, deep local knowledge of Ventura and Santa Barbara County beaches and tides, and a genuine passion for reuniting people with their most treasured possessions. Every recovery is personal.

Before you spend an afternoon chasing down a metal detector rental in Ventura or Santa Barbara County, make one call instead. Dave has the equipment, the experience, and the track record — and he works on your behalf from the moment you contact him.

📞 Call or text Dave 24/7: 805-290-5009
🌐 davetheringfinder.com

Lost something? Don’t rent — trust the expert. Dave The RingFinder is here to bring your jewelry home.

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White Gold Wedding Band and a University of Virginia (UVA) Class Ring Lost in North Myrtle Beach, Found and Returned.

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Sunday, October 11, 2026, and just after 12:30 pm I received a text saying, “Hey Jim, this is Marc. I’m currently staging in north Myrtle Beach and lost my wedding ring and class ring at the beach. Are you working today with your detector?” I checked the tide tables in case this would be a water search and then called Marc at the number that was attached to the text. First question I asked was if the rings were lost in the water, and Marc replied “no.” He went on to say that he had placed his rings on a towel and forgot about them until after he left the beach. I told him to send me an address where I could park and told him I’d be there in about 10 minutes.

When I arrived at the rental where Marc and some friends were staying, I met Marc in the driveway. We walked down to the beach, and he pointed out the area where they were sitting and his towel was. I started a north/south grid line from the suspected area to the slope and wasn’t having any luck. I stopped and talked with Marc to make sure I was in the right area. I asked him which way he was facing when he picked up his towel, and he said he was facing towards the dunes. So, I moved a little farther up towards the dunes and continued my grid search. It wasn’t long until I hit a solid 11 on the VDI (visual display indicator), telling me I hit white gold. I dug a few scoops and then saw his wedding band lying embedded in the sand at the bottom of the hole. I reached down and picked it up, cleaned the sand off it and held it up for Marc to see. He confirmed it was his wedding ring. Now I needed to find his UVA class ring. I continued with the grid search and couldn’t find it. I started over and did a cross grid and still no ring. About the only place left to search was the beach access route. As I’m finishing up with that, I noticed a gentleman come up and talk with Marc. As Marc caught up to me, he told me the gentleman told him he had found a UVA ring and turned it into the beach patrol about 11:30 a.m. I called the beach patrol number and gave Marc my phone to leave a voice message. Shortly after I got home, I got a text message from Marc saying, “I just got the second one a bit ago from beach patrol!” Both rings are back where they belong.

Marc – Thank you for calling and trusting me to help find your lost rings. So happy you got them back.

Jim

 

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Lost Gold Wedding Band Recovered in Broomes Island, Maryland!

  • from Baltimore (Maryland, United States)
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I received a call from Matt back on October 4th about a wedding band that was lost the day before. I’ll just let him tell you the rest. Thanks for the kind words, Matt!

After you read his testimonial, take a look at the one picture! You can see how easy it would be to overlook it in the grass with the naked eye!

 

I can’t recommend Jim Wagner highly enough!

My sister got married last weekend, and sometime during the wedding my dad lost his wedding band in a grassy area that had been used for guest parking. He had worn that ring for 52 years without ever losing it, only to have it disappear on the day of his daughter’s wedding. Needless to say, both of my parents were extremely upset.

I spent about an hour searching the area with a flashlight but had no luck. Since the wedding was in a coastal area where metal detecting is fairly common, I started searching online for someone who specialized in finding lost rings and jewelry. Jim was by far one of the most highly recommended people I found, so I left him a voicemail.

Within about 10 minutes, Jim called me back. As luck would have it, he was already driving relatively close to the area on his way home. After I explained what had happened, he asked me a few questions and had me send him a photo of the area where I thought the ring had been lost.

When Jim arrived, his experience immediately showed. Using his equipment and expertise, he was able to locate my dad’s wedding band remarkably quickly. Finding a ring that had been worn for 52 years—and that happened to be lost on such an emotional and important family occasion—was an incredible blessing. We were all so relieved and grateful.

I also really appreciated how fair and straightforward Jim was about his fee. Because the location ended up being a little farther out of the way than originally anticipated, there was a very reasonable $40 call-out fee. Beyond that, there wasn’t a predetermined reward amount. Jim simply suggested considering what you might tip for good service along with the monetary and sentimental value of the item he recovered. I thought that was an exceptionally fair and reasonable approach, especially considering the value of what he helped return to our family.

If you ever lose a ring or another meaningful piece of jewelry in the area, I would absolutely recommend calling Jim before attempting to buy a metal detector and search for it yourself. After watching how quickly he worked, it was obvious that successfully finding lost jewelry involves much more than simply owning the equipment—it takes experience, skill, and knowing how to use it.

Jim clearly has that expertise. He turned what could have been a heartbreaking permanent loss into a wonderful ending to a very special family weekend. We are incredibly thankful, and I would highly recommend Jim Wagner as the person to call if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.

Matt

 

 

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Gold Jeweled Ring Lost in Volleyball Court at Santa Monica Beach…Found and Happily Returned.

  • from Redondo Beach (California, United States)
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Professional Metal Detecting Service if you lost a ring or something precious to you. Please don’t wait until tomorrow, time will work against a successful recovery. PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  310-953-5268

Sahil called having lost his ring in the sand volleyball court at the beach. This had been given to him, so it had great sentimental value. I was available, so I left to go help him right away.

When I got to the beach, we found each other quickly. Sahil then took me to the area he believed the ring had been lost in, so I got my equipment ready, and began my grid. Well this search did not end quickly, as I went over the entire area he showed me finding a lot of trash metal, but no ring. He then showed me another area he thought might have the ring, more trash metal, but not that one either. Once more there was another possibility, so I began a new grid, and then about 8 passes in on that area, I « struck gold »! There it was in the scoop, a beautiful gold and jeweled ring which I was able to give back to Sahil who was very grateful.

Don’t let the County beach cleaning machines take your lost valuable, call as soon as possible! I will work hard, searching beaches, parks, and yards, using the most up to date metal detectors, to help you find what you thought might never be found again. I search, Beverly Hills, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Northridge, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Seal Beach, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Venice Beach, Zuma Beach, and all parks, yards, gardens, and ponds (to 5 foot depths) in all of Orange County, all of Los Angeles County, Southern California, and Ventura County.

AGAIN, PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! 310-953-5268

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Gold Wedding Ring Lost at Santa Monica Beach

  • from Redondo Beach (California, United States)
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Professional Metal Detecting Service if you lost a ring or something precious to you. Please don’t wait until tomorrow, time will work against a successful recovery. PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  310-953-5268

Aron called after he lost his wedding ring at the beach. I was ready to go, and left right away to help him find it.

When I got there, it took a few minutes to find the area where he was. Aron had to leave before I arrived per a business schedule, but his friends were still there to show me where to search. It took only a few minutes to find the ring, but had to include my picture with it because his friends got it back to him.

Don’t let the County beach cleaning machines take your lost valuable, call as soon as possible! I will work hard, searching beaches, parks, and yards, using the most up to date metal detectors, to help you find what you thought might never be found again. I search, Beverly Hills, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Northridge, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Seal Beach, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Venice Beach, Zuma Beach, and all parks, yards, gardens, and ponds (to 5 foot depths) in all of Orange County, all of Los Angeles County, Southern California, and Ventura County.

AGAIN, PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! 310-953-5268

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Gold Cartier Nail Bracelet Lost in Sand at Will Rogers Beach…Found and Joyfully Returned

  • from Redondo Beach (California, United States)
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Professional Metal Detecting Service if you lost a ring or something precious to you. Please don’t wait until tomorrow, time will work against a successful recovery. PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  310-953-5268

I got a call about a lost bracelet at the beach. Carla had been enjoying her day with a group of friends when she noticed her bracelet missing from her wrist. She and her friends searched all over for it, and then called me. I was available, and left right away to do the search.

I got to the beach and found them quickly. Carla showed me the area they had been in, so I began a grid search in order to make sure all ground was covered. After about 6 passes, and a few pieces of trash metal findings, I was able to find Carla’s bracelet, and what a beauty it was. She and all of her friends were highly excited about the recovery, which made for a great group shot.

Don’t let the County beach cleaning machines take your lost valuable, call as soon as possible! I will work hard, searching beaches, parks, and yards, using the most up to date metal detectors, to help you find what you thought might never be found again. I search, Beverly Hills, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Northridge, Pasadena, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Seal Beach, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Venice Beach, Zuma Beach, and all parks, yards, gardens, and ponds (to 5 foot depths) in all of Orange County, all of Los Angeles County, Southern California, and Ventura County.

AGAIN, PLEASE CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! 310-953-5268

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