New Members Category | The Ring Finders

Lost Gold Pendant in Public Park-Found!

  • from Chattanooga (Tennessee, United States)

I got a text from Jae late Thursday evening and she said she had lost her gold pendant in a local public park.  She and her friend had looked all evening until around midnight that night.  The pendant was made from the engagement ring her grandfather had given her grandmother in 1942. So it was very sentimental to her and all she had left of her grandparents.  The grass in that area was pretty deep, so finding it by sight was nearly impossible.  I got there by around noon the next day on Friday.  She had the area marked where she noticed the broken necklace.  I had marked out a block for my search that was about 75 feet by 50 feet.  That search area bordered a sidewalk on one side.  Being a public park I assumed the ground there would be very contaminated with metallic trash and other items, and it did not dissapoint.  Fortunately, with the Manticore metal detector I was able to differentiate between what was on the surface and what was deeper.  That still lengthens the search time because every target has to be inspected before moving on.  I completed the grid search in the block I had marked out and found nothing except pull tabs and a nickle.  So I moved down a little and marked out another block, this one a little smaller.  About halfway through that search area I was about 12 feet from the sidewalk and I got a 41 on the Manticore that was on the surface.  The grass there was about 3 inches deep so I pulled out my pinpointer to locate whatever it was.  The pendant was there, completely covered with grass and was not visible to the eye.  My total search time was about 2 hours.

 

Clucking Success: Finding a Wedding Band in a Brooklyn Chicken Coop!

  • from Orchard Beach (New York, United States)

Sometimes, metal detecting takes you to unexpected places—like a chicken coop in the heart of Brooklyn! When I first got a text about a lost gold wedding band in a backyard chicken coop, I thought someone was playing a prank. But as it turns out, this was no joke. The gentleman had been tending to his chickens when his ring slipped off, disappearing into the dirt, hay and feathers.

Armed with my trusty detector and a lot of determination, I set out to find that ring.

It was discouraging, all the metal in the chicken coop walls and various sections was making my equipment less than optimal..

Navigating around curious chickens, it was definitely one of the more unusual searches I’ve been on! After carefully scanning the coop, first, I found a wrench that probably hasn’t seen sunlight for 50 years, then at the entrance of the chicken coop, technically outside of the chicken, I used my pin pointer and found the ring!

I heard that unmistakable tone—and there it was, buried in the ground, shining gold.

The look of relief on the gentleman’s face and the feeling of shaking his hand while looking in his eyes, genuinely feeling happy for him, was priceless. Besides chickens, he keeps bees! 🐝. Along with my come-out fee and reward he gave me eggs and honey! Major win for both of us!

It’s not every day you find yourself metal detecting for gold in a chicken coop, but it’s moments like these that make what I do so rewarding. Whether in sand, snow, or—apparently—chicken coops, a lost treasure can always be found!

Lost Platinum Trio Bridal Set Rings Found in White Lake Michigan

  • from Detroit (Michigan, United States)

Out of Pocket…..

….. Is a phrase that’s been around awhile and usually the first thing that comes to mind of what it is, is perhaps paying your upfront share for a script, or an auto/home deductible claim. But none of these examples were on Curt’s mind other than wondering if he would need to pay for another ring out of pocket for his wife’s ring that went missing. It all started when his wife Kat took the dog out for an evening walk. Planning a long walk, she took all the things to clean up after the dog and put them in her pockets. Strolling across the wet grass in the yard they set out onto the pavement. Upon returning it started to rain so she started to jog and nearing the house she pulled her keys out of her pocket. After drying off she noticed her ring missing. Checking the pavement areas after the rain stopped brought no luck. I decided to grid search the front yard with my MXT metal detector where she thought they cut across upon leaving and returning. The grass was thick, but no junk signals were detected. Out near the edge of the grass I got a loud signal and meter read that I knew was something good. Pinpointing the signal and pushing the grass out of the way revealed Kat’s ring! Curt and Kat came running over and couldn’t believe that’s where it was! For the first time in their lives this out-of-pocket loss had a 100% return!

Jonathan

Lost and found Rolex watch in Rideau river Ottawa

  • from Cobourg (Ontario, Canada)

Today was a very special recovery and a four weeks in the making. Chris was swimming in the Rideau river. As he slowly let himself go from the ladder off the back deck, the clasp of his heirloom Rolex watch came undone and watched in horror as the watch slip off his hand and sank into the water. This special watch was purchased by his mom, and given to his dad to celebrate his retirement after 33 years of loyal service with the Canadian Navy. It was given to Chris when his father passed. After having Scuba divers try to find the watch, on three separate occasions and some with underwater metal detectors, he started to loose hope of ever seing his watch again. Fortunately, he was able to put me within a twenty foot radius of where he believed the watch had fallen into the water. Unfortunately, had to deal with about five inches of silt which brings visibility to zero once you start swinging your coil. But, after finding multiple various metal items, I was finally able to feel the watch with my fingers under the coil of my detector. After surfacing, I was able to give Chris his father’s watch and get it back on his wrist. He was extremely happy and emotional and was a great moment for all. Another happy and special recovery. Life is good!

 

Dennis Port, MA Heirloom Ring Lost, Found and Saved the Vacation

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

September 10, 2024

Vacation time on Cape Cod has almost come to an end. Now it was time for a local to leave far a vacation thru Spain with a 15 mile a day hike itinerary. That is Chris’ plan but first she had to find a family heirloom ring. She had looked “everywhere” with no luck in finding the ring and new it was time to reach out for help. One town official gave her the name of the local dealer of metal detectors, J&E Enterprise. Due to the urgency of finding the ring before the air flight to Spain left, my number was given to Chris. One call for help, a few minutes to determine if I could help and I was on my way to start a search.

I arrived even before Chris showed up. After I had my gear ready Chris pointed out the area where the ring might have been lost, and we reviewed the previous day’s activities. While I started my search Chris, with a few suggestions from me, went inside to do a search of her own.

I started in the outdoor shower with a pin-pointer and a detector that could “see” through the floor boards. Nothing rang out, I moved to the path to and the bird feeding area. Again, nothing. That is when Chris came out to show me the ring I had been searching for. It had come off of her finger the previous night as she packed for the trip. At this point we both were thrilled, Chris because she had the ring back on her finger and myself because I would not have to tell her that the ring is not in the areas you have told me about. There is nothing worse that having to tell a person “I did not find the object”.

This type of search has happened more than once. It is related to the fact that one feels that the “missing” object is right “here” when in reality it is over “there”. The “here” is where the object was noticed that it was missing, not where it was really lost. That is why I ask a series of questions before a search begins, just to determine the entire area that may be involved with the loss. An average metal detector is useless inside a house due to the amount of metal, electronic appliances, house wiring, and plumbing also creates a problem. A pin-pointer or a detector with notch filtering may be helpful in certain areas such as an attic.

Another terrific outcome for the day. I am sure the trip will be very special and more enjoyable that Chris will not have been wondering about the ring, at least until she had unpacked.

Lost and found gold ring at Buckhorn lake in Ontario

  • from Cobourg (Ontario, Canada)

My travels today took me to Buckhorn lake area. Received a text from Gerrard about Katie loosing her gold ring, with opal, last weekend at the family cottage during a bachelorette weekend party. She was swimming in only about three feet of water when all of the sudden, she felt her ring slip off her finger. Once I arrived at the cottage, a lady that was there last weekend was able to direct me in the water to where she believed Katie lost her ring. I turned on my underwater metal detector, did a couple swing and right away I heard a great signal. Looked in my scoop and there was her ring. No Scuba diving, no weeds and hardly any silt to contend with. The best part, Gerrard is headed back home to Hamilton this evening and will be returning the ring to Katie. She has no idea that he contacted me or the fac that her ring has been found. Another great recovery. I wish they could all be this easy. Life is good!

Lost Property Markers Found in Trenton Michigan

  • from Detroit (Michigan, United States)

On The Fence……

…Was the feeling that came over Walt as the old privacy fence was removed and a new vinyl one was soon to be installed. He was in agreement with the neighbor about it but still was curious where the property line was. After chatting I agreed to locate the property irons and wanted the neighbor’s approval as well. With that granted I proceeded to examine the old survey drawing for the lot dimensions. On site I turned on my Tesoro Sidewinder metal detector and began scanning. Near the front sidewalk I got a loud signal. Probing with a surveyors pin I felt it scratch the side of a metal object. Digging in and flipping the grass plug revealed the property iron! At the rear of the lot the old property iron was exposed but bent sideways from tree growth near it making it inaccurate to use. Moving to the opposite corner the drawing indicated the property iron was set years ago. Finding that one enabled me to pull a tape measure the correct lot width towards the bent property pin to see where the line really was where the fence was going. By this time the neighbor came out to see how things were going. We all agreed that the new fence was not going to encroach onto Walt’s property. To celebrate, as Walt brought out some beers I said, now that’s a perfect way to mend the fence with the neighbor!……Cheers!

Jonathan

Lost and found diamond ring at Eels Lake Ontario

Today’s excursion took me to Eels lake near Apsley, just south of Bancroft. Received a call from Shayne last week about his girlfriend Lisa loosing her diamond ring while vacationing at a campground. While on the floating dock, Shayne threw Lisa into the water and then both watched in horror as the ring flew off her finger and into the lake. The issues were; the floating dock moves quite a bit from its anchor point pending on wind direction, dense weed bed and about one foot of silt under the weed bed (typical for lake conditions in the area).  The good news is that it was in only ten feet of water and they both saw the ring go in. After a two hour search, constantly ripping weeds off my detector coil, I finally heard that sweet gold tone, amongst other metal signals. After coming up about four feet from the bottom, due to zero visibility due to silty conditions, I saw and confirmed that I had the right ring. Lisa was so happy to be reunited with her grandmother’s ring, whom has passed since she’d given it to her. Another happy ending. Life is good.

Lost Rose Gold Ring Underwater Found in Portage Lake, Munith Michigan

  • from Detroit (Michigan, United States)

The Feather that Pointed to Treasure……

….Most treasure hunters at least once in their lifetime have come across treasure signs and symbols while researching a particular treasure lead or legend. Some spend most of their lives trying to decipher, decode and chase down the clues hoping to find the motherlode. When Travis lost his ring in the water, he was hoping it wouldn’t take a lifetime to find it. Entering the lake the water felt nice and cool and with the scent of barbecue grills and smoked meats in the air I paused to take in the moment of another summer that’s gone by too fast. On the shore was Travis’ wife Margherita who was pointing to us the area she remembers Travis being in when the ring came off. Out in about 5 feet of water I got a few junk targets, but as Margherita pointed more to the left a huge loud signal came thru my detector’s headphones. Descending under for a minute my pin pointer buzzed on a target and moving some sand aside I saw his ring. Back on the surface I had a mad look on my face and said all I’m picking up is junk, but then this showed up! Travis looked at his ring in amazement and couldn’t believe it was found! He held it in the air and Margherita knew we had found it! Back on shore Margherita walked towards us with a large feather. I said to her that I didn’t have any ink for the quill pen if you’re writing me a check! They both laughed and she said that the feather was found behind her and was pointing towards where the ring was found and mentioned that whenever she came across a feather in life, good things always happened! I said that’s one heck of a treasure sign and I’ll go get that ink!

Jonathan

Wedding Ring recovery at Wrightsville Beach NC

  • from Hillsborough (North Carolina, United States)
Contact:

This ring was recovered and returned at Wrightsville Beach NC on 8-25-24.

I received a call yesterday around 10:30am from a gentleman who was at Wrightsville Beach and had lost his ring. He explained he was tossing a ball with others when his ring suddenly fell off and he immediately tried to grab it but a wave came in and took it before he could pick it up. We spoke for awhile and he also explained that he had to catch a flight back to Arizona so he probably wouldn’t be there when I got to the beach but I could give it to his brother who could bring him the ring if I found it. He marked the area very well for me to know where to search and sent me photos of the markers. I drove to the beach and got there around 1:45pm. It was high to when I got there so I knew I would be hunting in the water since he lost it around low to mid tide. Because he marked the area so well I was able to find the area to search with ease. This was a big help. I entered the water and started my search. After about 10 minutes of searching in the water with strong waves I stepped into a trough under the water that was a little above my knees deep. Searching the trough I got a strong solid signal on my metal detector. I used my extreme sandscoop to dig the target and recover the ring. I called him to let him know I found it and sent him pictures of it. He was very happy to hear I found it. I later met with his brother at a rest area along my route home and gave him the ring so he could get it back to his brother. I was very happy to help.