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Enjoying a day at a beach in the Côte d’Azur, France until…

My wife a I were deciding what to do yesterday when I got a call from someone with an area code in Italy. I immediately gave my phone to my wife inasmuch as she is much better with foreign language than I and I wasn’t wearing my hearing aids. The young lady said her husband had lost his ring on the beach yesterday while visiting Côte d’Azur, France and she asked if we were available and asked about our fees. Shortly thereafter, my wife and I were on our way to their location (2+ hrs away).  When we met the very nice young couple we were given the info that the husband had lost the ring the night before in dry sand near the water line. Although they both did an extensive search until 11 PM, the ring was not found. They were concerned that during their search, the ring may have sunk too deep to find it.  I noted the beach was very crowded with sunbathers but the sunbathers were very cooperative while I searched. After finding several junk targets and a euro coin, I received a target with the correct VDI number. I was able to dig the spot between two sunbathers and find the yellow gold ring…SUCCESS!  The sunbathers clapped and the young couple were happy as we shared hugs. Total time was about 20 minutes . Fortunately, this search turned out to be a “Textbook” search…straightforward and simple. Don’t we wish they could all be so easy?!

Platinum Engagement Ring Lost In The Beach Sand, Found With A Metal Detector, In Kennebunkport, Maine

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Wednesday July 3rd, Leah and Greg were enjoying a beautiful summer day, on Goose Rocks Beach, in Kennebunkport, Maine, with Family and Friends. Leah took her Platinum Engagement Ring off, to apply suntan lotion. When Leah took her ring off, she tucked it into her bathing suit, for safekeeping.
A short time later, Leah realized she didn’t have her ring on and when she checked her bathing suit, it was missing.
Since Leah, Greg and everyone else, in the beach party hadn’t moved around the beach, a lot, they knew the ring must be in an area of 10’ X 10’, or so. They all started searching the sand, by running and sifting the sand, through their fingers. After they realized that this was fruitless, and worried they may be moving the ring further from the area or pushing the ring deeper into the sand, they stopped searching.
It was at this point that I received a text, from Erin. Erin is a friend of Leah and Greg and her text said

“We’ve lost a ring at Rox Beach. Are you guys nearby”?

The phone number had a 617 prefix, telling me it was from Massachusetts. I did not know of any area beach, by the name of Rox. I immediately texted back and asked where the beach was located and Erin, immediately texted back “

“Goose rock. Sorry”.

I am very familiar with Goose Rocks Beach, as it only 12 mile from my home. I asked her if the ring was lost, in the water or on the beach. She replied

“On the beach, we know the general vicinity”.

We then made plans to meet, at GRB and I loaded my equipment up and arrived at the beach about 20-25 minutes later. Being retired is a definite advantage to getting to an Emergency situation. I can usually reach any southern Maine beach, in 30 minutes or less.
I was met by Erin, Leah and Greg, at the agreed upon location. They immediately took me down to the area, on the beach, they thought the ring would be in. The area had been cleared out of all the chairs and towels. I turned the detector on and started searching. Maybe 30 to 45 seconds later, I received my 1st signal. A 12-09 on my Minelab CTX-3030. The first number tells me it is most definitely, a non-ferrous item and the second number tells me it is a low conductivity metal. A perfect signal, for gold or platinum. Unfortunately, aluminum foil, brass and a few other metals, will also ring up in this range. The signal got my attention, But what would it be? I then pulled out my pinpointer and searched the very fine sand, until I located the signal. I put my hand, into the sand and pulled it up. No target, in that handful of sand. Placed my hand, back into the small hole and went a few inches deeper. As I was pulling the sand out, I felt and saw a big beautiful Diamond and silver colored ring. I had found Leah’s Ring and in less than 45 seconds . As everyone realized the ring had been found, I heard Leah, Greg and the rest of their group , giving me applause, genuinely thanking me and voices all around, telling me what a great job, I had just done. I almost started to blush, as everyone in the area started looking over at us. But it made me feel so happy that everyone took the opportunity to thank me like that. It’s what keeps driving me to help everyone. A truly amazing moment for me and it never, ever, gets old.
Leah and Greg were just ecstatic with joy and happiness, with smiles all around. As Leah and Greg, walked me back to my vehicle they never stopped thanking me. They were just so appreciative, that I would drop everything and come down to help them. Their constant appreciative talk, kept me on cloud 9 and will keep me there, for quite awhile. Now they can start enjoying their vacation again. I just love being able to help people out in their time of need.
I later texted Erin back, to thank her, for reaching out to me and placing her confidence, in me, to go out and search for Leah’s ring. I then asked her how she had found out, about The Ring Finders of Maine’s Emergency Metal Detecting Service. Erin told me that she had performed a Google search and my name popped up at the top. She then texted me and the rest is history, as they say.
If you ever need my Emergency Metal Detecting Services, please follow my Facebook Page, The Ring Finders of Maine. If you do this, you will not have to perform a Google search. You will be able to quickly find me with your Facebook account and you will also be able to contact me, directly from my Facebook Page. That’s right, you can call me, directly from my Facebook Page. How easy is that? — in Goose Rocks Beach, Maine.

Lost and FOUND gold wedding band at the Koroneburg Renaissance Faire in Corona, CA

  • from Corona (California, United States)

I received a call from Jesse, who said they found me on The Ringfinders website. He told me he and his wife work at the Renaissance Faire on weekends. Last weekend, his wife lost one of his gold rings. Jesse said it was his small, thin, yellow gold wedding band. He explained that the Faire was over and they were loading up their belongings from their booth. He gave his wife his three rings for safe keeping as they cleaned up, and she was holding them in her hand. Jesse said an insect suddenly bit his wife and as she jumped, his one ring apparently fell out of her hand onto the dirt road way.

They searched and searched the fine-grain dirt, gently raking it, but with no luck. So he reached out to me. I met him at the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival gate and he brought me to the area where his wife said she was standing when she dropped it. Fortunately, it was a small area. After discriminating out the metal “chain mail” pieces from the soldiers’ costumes that had fallen off around the area, I began my search. It didn’t take long before I got a signal about an inch under that fine dirt. As I scooped it out of the dirt onto my hand shovel, I said to Jesse “Does it look like this?” Jesse ran over and said “It sure does!” He could not believe I found it so quick. Another happy reunion!

Lost Wedding Band on Inverness, CA beach…Found with Metal Detector!!!

  • from Walnut Creek (California, United States)

The Bay Area Ring Finders Brendon Chapman… Metal Detecting Service/Call ASAP     925-580-2590

The California summer heat is here and the lost item recovery business is booming!

On Monday July 1st, I received a multitude of requests for assistance.  One of these calls was from a couple in Inverness, CA who were enjoying time at Shell Beach on Tomales Bay.  Over the years, Tomales Bay has become a favorite destination for our family, but is over an hour and a half drive from our little town and 2 and a half hours from my office.  I informed the couple that I was onboard with assisting but would be contacting a few of the other members who might be more local for their availability.  In the end, I found no availability and knew I’d be making the drive.

The couple had lost the ring very early in the day and spent the rest of their day searching and exploring any avenues to recover the sentimental object.  A sign was posted at the entrance to the beach for the missing ring with contact information, they looked into metal detector groups, and even found a metal detector for rent and searched the area to no avail. Over the phone I tried to provide a short tutorial on how to use it.

Rather than make the long drive out late in the day, I scheduled to leave early the next afternoon to perform the search.  I asked my family if they would like to escape the triple digit heat and head to the beach with me.  They were all too happy to tag along and so we packed for the outing.

On arrival we hiked the short path down to Shell Beach. We had stopped for a picnic on this beach while kayak camping a few years earlier.  The beach was moderately crowded with mostly locals looking to escape the days heat.  And we weren’t there long when we met Jacob who explained the circumstances and defined the search area.  The metal detector attracted just about every child on the beach who hovered and followed as I grid the target area.  I handed out clad coins as they were plucked from the sand to those who kept back and helped clear obstacles.  It wasn’t more than 15 minutes when….WE MADE THE RECOVERY!!!

The interested children were the first to know, then my family and the surrounding adults who all clapped and came up to offer praise and ask questions.  Jason was the last to find out, but when I showed him the ring…his reaction was priceless!  It’s absolutely my favorite part of doing this!  Thank you Jacob for the opportunity to assist and to your very kind spouse for coordinating the event.  I wish you both nothing but the best in your future.  Be sure to tell the story of that ring far and wide!

 

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The Bay Area Ring Finders Brendon Chapman… Metal Detecting Service/Call ASAP     925-580-2590

Lost Keys Found in Bloomfield Township Michigan

  • from Detroit (Michigan, United States)

All The Keys to His Kingdom…..

…..were on Rhome’s belt, or so he thought. While working on a steep slope on his property multi-tasking, pruning this and trimming that his sprinkler system suddenly went off spraying the slope. As Rhome ran to get out of the spray he slipped and rolled down the slope. After recovering he noticed all his keys were missing. Looking frantically thru the thick plants, thorn and picker bushes revealed nothing. As I stood looking down the 20 foot plus deep slope and seeing the dicey terrain, I decided to use my metal detector with a deep seeking round coil to penetrate the thick foliage. Scanning the ground, I had to balance myself on rock outcroppings that were part of the landscaping. Nearing the bottom of the slope I got a metal signal. Leaning forward maintaining my balance I pulled aside some picker bushes and saw Rhome’s keys! With his back turned to me nearly 30 feet away and 20 feet up I rattled the keys. Spinning around his hands went into the air as I tossed up the keys. He was shocked they were so far away from what he remembered. Back on level ground he began to check the keys with the remote fobs. All was well and accounted for as we parted ways as he was excited and relieved to have found all of the keys of his kingdom!

Jonathan

 

One Year Anniversary Vacation Saved, Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)

Shortly after 11 am on Tuesday, July 2nd, I received a text from Lora that said in part, “What kind of fee do you charge? My husband lost his ring!!!” I responded telling her, “I do this on a reward/gratuity basis. Call me so I can get the details” along with my phone number. When she called, I found out her husband, Mike had lost his ring the previous evening at about 8:30 pm while looking for shells. She gave me the hotel name and I told her I could be there in about 15 minutes. When we got off the phone, I looked up the hotel and found out it’s in Myrtle Beach and not North Myrtle Beach like I thought. I called her back to confirm Myrtle instead of North Myrtle, which she did. Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle beach are too separate cities but have exactly the same street numbers, so it gets confusing for both locals and tourist. Now that I got it straight, I told her I’d be there in about 30 minutes. She told me that her and Mike were out and about and they wouldn’t be there to show me the area. She was able to give me a pretty good idea of where I needed to search so I wouldn’t be wondering around aimlessly.

I text her when I arrived on the beach, and she responded back that they were heading back. Looking at the tide tables when Lora first called, Mike lost his ring about 2 hours before low tide. By the time I arrived I was about an hour after low tide, so I didn’t have a lot of time to search. I started a north/south parallel to the beach search right at the water line. When Lora and Mike showed up, I got a few more details. Mike was in the water, maybe shin deep and taking cupped hands full of water and throwing up towards the beach. With this new info, I changed to a perpendicular east/west grid search and a few yards outside the suspected search area. I told Lora and Mike that they didn’t need to stick around, and I’d call them either way. With the east/west search I was getting in the water to about thigh deep. I knew Mike’s heavy Titanium ring would ring up in the mid 20’s on the Equinox 800, so I was confident I had found his ring. After digging a scoop of sand and spreading it out on the beach, I saw Mike’s ring peeking up through the sand. I took a picture of the ring and sent it to Lora saying, “Kiss and make up.” I called her and all she could say was “OMG” about 4 times. Then she said, “we’re on our way.” When they arrived, I got a big hug from Lora and a strong handshake from Mike. That’s when I learned they were in Myrtle Beach celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary. This will be one they will never forget!!!

Lora/Mike – Thank you for trusting me to find your lost treasure. Wish you all the best and many many more Anniversaries, but none to match this one!

Jim

 

Lost Tungsten Ring Underwater Found in White Lake Michigan

  • from Detroit (Michigan, United States)

Reuniting….

…. with his lost wedding ring was all that was on Kyle’s mind the past week after it fell off in the water while stopping near a small island in White Lake to throw a football around with his son. Slipping on sharp rocks had them back in the boat fast but without the ring. Once I was in the chest deep water with my metal detector and snorkel mask, I started to grid search the area Kyle remember being. I too encountered sharp, slippery rocks and stirred up murky water. Sweeping the coil over the bumpy bottom I finally got a good metal signal. Holding my breath for a few seconds I reached down near a chunky rock and dislodging it I felt a circular shape in my fingers. Pulling it to the surface revealed Kyle’s ring! His friend with the boat spotted me holding it first and started yelling. Kyle whirled around in shock that his ring was found! Back in the boat I asked what’s better than a perfect union between a man and wife? A Reunion!……soon in the making!

Jonathan

 

Lost Gold w/Diamonds Pendant Underwater Found in Orchard Lake Michigan

  • from Detroit (Michigan, United States)

Mom’s birthday…..

…I got a call from Ruby last Sunday and learned that it wasn’t just her birthday, but her son Sean’s family heirloom gold pendant snapped off his chain while playing water volleyball Saturday.  I met Sean within 2 hours with his cousin and a watercraft. The high winds whipping across the lake caused waves that were quite large. While loading up my gear we got to chatting with the Oakland County Sherriff Marine officer. Since we had over 1/4 mile to reach the sandbar where the pendant was, the Sherriff parallelled alongside us to make sure we got to the location. Once there I started a grid search from where Sean recovered the broken chain. A few minutes later I got a good metal signal quite aways from the chain location. Using my handheld pin pointer the metal target was about 1-1/2 inches below the sand and waist deep water. Pulling it up I felt it was a round object and lifting it thru the water revealed Sean’s pendant! He saw it and fell over backwards into the water in amazement! This pendant is one of the most intricate and beautiful that I have ever recovered! We phoned the Sherriff to escort us back to the mainland and in the meantime, we facetimed Sean’s mom who was screaming in excitement that her father’s pendant was not lost forever! Thanking me for finding the pendant and making her day special, Ruby instructed Sean to hurry back for her birthday celebration!

Special Thanks to the Oakland County Sherriff Marine Division!

Jonathan

 

 

Lost ring in the Sound, Pensacola Beach. – Found!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

Saturday afternoon I got a frantic call from Jason. He explained that his fiancé Kimberly had dropped her engagement ring in the water on the sound side at Pensacola Beach. He was really worried and told me that it had only been a few weeks since he had purchased the ring and he had to get it back. I packed up quickly and headed that way. It was so crowded that it took about 30 minutes to park. Once I finally got to them, Kimberly walked me out to the area where they had been playing and said that it really could be anywhere. I started my search and got to hear from other people who had been in the area and tried to help narrow down the search area. Finally, Kimberly waded out again to talk and I assured her that I would keep going until I found it. She had only taken a few steps back towards the beach when I heard the sound I was looking for. I knew it was lucky indeed when I saw the gold in the scoop nestled in next to a sand dollar. I hope that is a sign for awesome things to come from this marriage. Y’all are really nice people and I wish you the best. Congratulations.

Lost Diamond Ring – Dauphin Island, Alabama

A heavy thunderstorm had just blown over the island and another round was on its way. Just as the rain slacked off between storms I got a phone call from Jeremy who was visiting from Florida. It was their anniversary and he had just given his wife Jenny a beautiful new diamond wedding set. As the storm blew in, they were frantically trying to get their beach tent and belongings off the beach and under the shelter of the house. Jenny told me she remembered wiping her hands on her pants and then realizing the slightly too big diamond ring was no longer on her finger. They had combed through the sand for about an hour before finding my Ringfinders bio and giving me a call.

Luckily, I was about 6 miles away and the rain had almost stopped so I grabbed my gear and ran out the door. I got there, listened to her story and started swinging. I silently whispered a prayer to find it before it started storming again ! Within the first 15 seconds I heard that familiar “could be a pull tab; could be a gold ring” tone in my headphones. A few gentle shakes of my scoop and there was Jenny’s new ring sparkling in the bottom.

Not all jewelry recoveries are that easy and fun, but that one sure was !