how to find a lost ring in the ocean Tag | Page 5 of 10 | The Ring Finders

Clemson University Class Ring Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Saturday, June 1st, I was enroute to another ring search; when Angela called and left me a voice mail. In the voice mail she said that it was recommended on a FB page that she call me for lost rings. She said that her daughter, Riley had lost her Clemson Class ring that she had received in April on Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina, in the ocean. Angela gave me Riley’s phone number. After we hung up, I called Riley and told her I had another search and I’d be there as soon as I could.

I called Riley back after a successful recovery and told her I was on my way. I arrived about 20 minutes later and met Riley on the beach. Riley explained that she and some of her friends were out about 2 am enjoying the late evening and the ocean. She continued saying that they had been sitting in the ocean leaning back on their arms, with her hands in the sand and letting the waves roll over them. At some point she felt her Clemson ring slip off her finger into the sand. She immediately called her dad, which was at about 1:40 am. A quick check of the tide tables on ‘Willy Weather’ showed high tide was at 3:18 am. So basically, this happened about 2 ½ hours before high tide. I arrived at Ocean Isle, roughly at 3:30 pm, which was right at the high tide time. Not only was I there at the wrong time but the sea breeze had kicked up the waves, to the point I couldn’t get in the water. I asked Riley to point out the approximate area they were in and she stated they came straight down the beach from the beach access blue mat. I figured I’d clear the top of the beach and down the slope on both sides of the center line. Every once in a while, I’d try to slip in the ocean, but that was a lost cause! After close to 3 hours, and no change in the sea conditions, I called Riley and told her I was calling it for the night.  I told her I’d be back the next day at low tide and resume the search.

Today, June 2nd, I showed up around 8 am, 2 hours before low tide and started an east/west grid search perpendicular to the tide line. I started about 40 yards north of the center line and worked south. I had my Nox 800 detector and knowing that a women’s yellow gold ring will show up between 13-15 VDI (visual display indicator) depending on the size and width of the ring. Unfortunately pull tabs show up with the same numbers and if there’s anything on the beach that’s plentiful, its pull tabs! After about 2 plus hours I had detected about 90 yards on the beach and getting out in the water to about thigh deep. With the circumstances of the ring being lost, I knew the ring was there – somewhere. Gold is a heavy metal, so when it comes off in the ocean, it pretty much settles where it falls. In this case the ring was already y buried in the sand, so it would just sit there working itself deeper with water and sand going over the top of it. Also, knowing when it was lost, I knew the ring would be at the bottom of the slope at low tide. I felt I was definitely out of the search area when I got a solid 15. Is this just another bent up pull tab. I dug a scope of sand and dumped it on the beach. Ran the coil over the pile and I had the target out of the hole. I spread the sand out with my foot and scoured the sand. BOOM!!!  There in the sand staring up at me was Riley’s Clemson Ring. I washed the sand off the ring and took a picture. I sent the picture to both Riley and Angela and then called Riley – no answer. I called Angela – no answer. A short time later Angela replied by text saying, “That’s it!!!!” A few minutes later Riley called. Evidently Angela tried calling Riley with no luck, so she called one of the friends with Riley and told her to wake Riley up and that Jim found her ring. Riley said they were on the way. When Riley got to the beach, she sprinted from the access to where I was. She gave me a big hug and I could tell she was very appreciative. I love returning lost items to their owners!!

Angela – Thank you for calling me to help find Riley’s Ring.

Riley – So happy I was able to find and return your special treasure. I wish you all the best in life.

Jim

     

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Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started about 10:41 p.m. Friday night when I got a text message asking if I was the right guy to find lost items. I confirmed I was and received the following text from Gene, “My wife lost her wedding ring and band today on the beach near Kingston Plantation. Are your services available? Are you in the area?” I called his number and discussed what happened, what time and if it was in the water. Gene told me Jessica; his wife lost her rings about noon in ankle deep water. Taking a quick look at the tide tables, the loss happened about 2 hours before low tide. Shouldn’t be too hard, but there’s not too many searches that are easy. This one was no different. I told him I’d meet him about 12:30 the next afternoon, which was today, Saturday May 25th. The next afternoon low tide was about 3:15, so getting there early I could work the outgoing tide.

I showed up as scheduled and met Gene, his father-in-law Greg and his sister-in-law Samantha. Gene walked me out in the water and lined himself up with the resort and said she lost it right about here. I asked Gene how she lost them, and he stated trying to catch a football. The football hit her rings just right to push both rings off her finger. He told me both rings were yellow gold. So, on my Nox 800, lady’s yellow gold rings show a VDI (visual display Indicator) of 13-15. Unfortunately pull tabs, which there are 100s that end up on the beach, show 14. This could mean a lot of digging. I started an east/west grid from about the mid tide line working perpendicular to the tide line. I had a heck of a time keeping my grid lines straight. I changed course and did a north/south grid to eliminate the upper slope of the beach. When I got about as far as I could and still see my grid lines, I took a break. By now the tide had rescinded to the point I was sure the rings were at the bottom of the sloop and right in the trough, which is where the ocean breaks onto the beach. At that point I decided to start over on the far-left border of the search zone. About halfway across the zone I got a solid, banging 14 VDI. I was sure I had a ring. I took a big scoop and checked the hole. I had the target. Problem was, after I washed out the sand, I had a scoop full of broken shells. I shook the scoop moving the shells; I took a couple of handfuls of shells out and shook the scoop again. Still wasn’t seeing anything. I did that 3 times and finally saw the small engagement ring with the diamond. Boom! Put the ring in my pocket for safe keeping and ran the coil over and around the hole. About a foot away I got another solid 14. Dug the target, made sure the hole was clear and walked up the sloop and dumped the scoop. Ran the coil over the pile, located the target, spread it out with my foot and saw the gold wedding band. I had both rings. I was going up to grab my phone and take a picture to send to Gene and surprise him, but as I’m trying to get that done, I saw Gene and Greg walking towards me. I showed them the rings, and both were excited. I told Gene he could surprise Jessica but that didn’t work either. We turned around and the rest of the gang was standing on the 5th floor balcony. It wasn’t long before Jessica, her mom and sister was on the beach. Think there were a few happy tears, and all was good!!!!

Greg and Gene – thank you for your generosity.

Gene and Jessica – Thank you so much for trusting me to help find your lost treasures. Enjoy the rest of your vacation and have a safe trip home. Wish you two all the best.

Jim

   

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1920s Platinum Diamond and Ruby Ring Lost in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Shortly before 3 pm on Saturday, May 18th, I received a call from Ashlee asking if I could help find her mother, Alison’s ring that had been given to her by her grandmother years ago. Ashlee said that the ring had been dropped from their elevated dock into the ICW. I knew the tide was coming in but wasn’t sure of when high tide would be. Ashlee said she had been under the dock doing a reach and feel search and the water was about waist deep. I told her I was just finishing up another search and I was on my way.

It took me about 20 minutes to arrive and I met Alison, her granddaughter, and Ashlee in the driveway. As we walked around back, Alison described her ring and showed me the location where the ring fell through. I asked if it could have gotten stuck in the planks and was told the granddaughter heard a “plunk.” I got a few more details and walked down some stairs into the water. This was a perfect search scenario, water was warm, soft sand bottom, no waves and not above my knees. Walked out to the location, swung the detector twice and got a solid 12 (perfect number on the Nox 800 for Platinum). Took a scoop of sand and as I pulled it out of the water, I saw Allison’s beautiful ring sticking out of the sand. As I’m walking up the stairs, I hollered at Allison saying, “where you at?” She said something like, “you find it?” I held it up for her to see. She was so grateful she had her ring back. What a thrill for me to be holding a beautiful ring with 100 years of history. I found out that Alison was going to pass the ring down to her granddaughter but not for many many years. Ashlee told me that her great grandmother had lived in England with her husband (Ken and Lillian Scott) and that’s where the ring came from.

Ashlee – thank you for trusting me to help find your mother’s ring.

Alison – so glad I got to meet you and return your lost treasure.

Jim

 

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Lost Ring found in Key West Florida

  • from Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada)
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I’ve been in Florida for the last little while enjoying the nice winter weather and doing some detecting. I met with my Key West member Alex who helps a lot of people out here, I met his friends Dorothy and Mary Lou, who were detecting the beach.at night after the crowds went home.

It was relatively a slow night loaded with the typical garbage, bottle caps, pull tabs & some coins. That night I did manage to find one ring. I believe it was a prayer ring with the lords prayer on it and some crosses. I showed Dorothy and Mary Lou and Mary Lu really liked it, I said you can have it because the chances of finding the owner were very slim as this is a tourist destination, and people come and go.

The other thing was someone should’ve found Alex right away because he has such a strong presence here and people know him and let others know to call him If anybody loses anything on these beaches… he’s the man.

Would you believe the next day I was doing a little night hunting at the same beach, a young man came up and asked for help looking for his Lost Ring exactly where I found it the day before. I knew this was the owner and I also knew I gave the ring away… Boy was I embarrassed! I called Alex and asked if he could call Dorothy and explain the situation and Dorothy’s friend Mary Lou had no problem giving back the ring for me to give to this young man.

 

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Daughters Tattoos Symbolizes Ring Recovery and Return Number 220

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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As Ring Finders, we’ve all received those frantic calls asking for help to locate a lost “very” sentimental item (ring, necklace, bracelet, etc.). We’ve also experienced the happy returns with handshakes, big bear hugs, and laughs. And more times than not, we’ve watched those big tears running down cheeks, including our own sometimes. We also have those returns, for one reason or another that we’ll never forget.

This return happened in August 2023 when I found and returned my 220th item, which happened to be a lady’s wedding band. It started with a mother and her two daughters having a girl’s vacation at the beach. The mother was in the ocean and was knocked over by a wave. Knowing what that ring meant to their mother, the daughters contacted me. I was fortunate enough to find it and get it back on the finger it belonged on in pretty quick fashion. And oh yes, there was all the excitement, scream, hugs and tears with the return. It was a moment to remember!

Yesterday, just shy of 3 months I got a text saying, “Jim, I’m super sorry to bother you. But a couple months ago you found my mom’s wedding ring in the sand. My sister and I were so happy. I think you told my sister that we were number 220 of finds for you. We are going to get a tattoo and I just want to verify that our number is in fact 220. Is that something you are able to do for me?” I verified it for her, and she thanked me. I also asked her for a picture of her tattoo, and she agreed. Today I got the picture. I asked her what it meant to her, her sister and their mother to get the ring back. Here’s her response – “Let’s see what finding that ring meant to my family…. everything. Memories of a lifetime. From my parents dating and living the “easy” life to a marriage of 42 years! From the fights to the hugs, from the late nights out to the late nights up with kids. It’s a symbol of strength and promise. A promise that your life will not go unseen because I’ll be by your side through it all. So, to some it may be a ring, but it is so much more of family life wrapped in that ring.”

This is one of my returns I will never forget!

Jim

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Lady’s Yellow Gold Wedding Ring Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach, SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Thursday, just before 4 pm, I got a text saying, “Is this ring finders? We have a lost wedding ring out there in the ocean today, north myrtle beach. My mother has had it for 44 years 🙁 I called the number attached to the text and spoke with Sara. She told me that her, her mother, Debbie, and her sister, Kadie had arrived about 1 pm for a girl’s week. Her mother had gone out shortly after arrival to about knee deep in the surf. She suddenly got hit by a big wave and got knocked over. Sara also said her mother was tumbling around in the water and when she finally stood up; her wedding ring was gone. I asked Sara about what time this happened, and she told me about 1 pm. This was good news because high tide was right around 1 and it was now shortly before 4 so the tide was receding.  I told Sara I’d be there in 15-20 minutes, grabbed my Equinox 800 and was on my way.

When I arrived at the condo, Sara was waiting for me in the parking lot and gave me a parking pass. On our way out to the beach she reiterated the details and said she was sure of the location. Once on the beach, I met Debbie and Kadie. One thing that was very obvious to me was that these young ladies really love their mother. I could tell Debbie was very upset but held her emotions in check. Both Kadie and Sara showed me the search area and it was maybe 25 yards across. I confirmed that the metal was yellow gold and from the picture they showed me, I was expecting a 12/13 on the VDI (visual display indicator). I noticed Debbie had gone back to their room, while Sara and Kadie found a spot on the beach to watch. I started a perpendicular grid search at the far north boundary line.  Since the loss happened over 3 hours ago by now, I expected the ring to be in the wet sand and not in the ocean. Nonetheless, I ran my grid line out to about thigh deep. I was about 3 lines short of the southern boundary line and in the wet sand when I got a solid 13 on the VDI. I took a scoop of sand and laid it out on the beach. I spread the sand out with my foot and saw a little glimmer of gold and the outline of a ring. BINGO! I reached down and picked up the ring and held it up for Sara and Kadie to see. They both saw me at the same time, I think one of them gave a little scream of excitement, and literally flew down to me. I didn’t want to give it to them until I had washed the sand off in the ocean, they were patient. When they had their hands on it they were so excited. They quickly called Debbie and gave her the good news. I couldn’t see her, but one of the girl’s said Debbie was on the balcony waving her hands. What a feeling it was to hand Debbie back her ring of 44 years. She had called her husband when it happened and gave him the bad news. I got to hear her call him back and give him the good news; he was very excited for her. I love these lost item reunions.

Sara and Kadie – Thank you so much for trusting me to help find your mother’s special wedding ring.

Debbie – I’m so happy to have gotten your ring back to you. You guys enjoy your girl’s week.

Jim

     

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`Woman’s Yellow Gold and Diamond Wedding Ring Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Holden Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Thursday, August 24th, I woke up to a text saying, “Good morning. Yesterday I lost my wedding ring at Holden beach to the left of the pier about 100 yards just about the high tide water mark in the soft sand. I posted on Face book, and some posted your contact information. Is this something you are able to help with?” I called the number and talked with Shannon, who had lost the ring. She confirmed that the ring was lost in the soft sand. I got a few more details and we agreed to meet at noon. I got ready to go and invited my wife, Jan to come along. She loves looking for shells and shark’s teeth at Holden Beach.

When we arrived at the pier, Shannon was waiting in the parking lot. As we walked out on the beach, Shannon said that she had been sitting out on the beach the day before and had the ring on. Later that evening, when she was back at the rental, she realized her wedding ring was gone. She was pretty sure her ring came off at the beach where they were sitting. She also mentioned that she did walk the beach for a short distance. Her and her friends set me up in the dry sand where they had been sitting. After I started a grid search, they started wondering if they were a little east or west of the spot in the area I was searching. I asked if they had taken any pictures and thankfully, they had. Shannon showed me one picture that I was able to use to line up directly behind one of the beach houses. I continued my grid search working west in relation to what I saw in the picture. After a few more minutes I hit a solid 15 on the VDI (visual display indicator) but it was showing about 8 inches deep. I had the number I was expecting, but deeper than I was expecting. I took a big scoop of sand and dumped it out on the beach and saw the gold in the sand. I reached down, picked it up and held it up for Shannon to see. She got so excited; she gave me a big hug and big smiles.

Shannon – so glad I could help find your lost treasure and get it back where it belonged. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

   

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Yellow Gold Wedding Band and Engagement Ring Lost on the Beach, Found and Returned Carolina Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started out with a text message at 10:28 am on Saturday, August 19th. The text read, “Hi! My name is Samantha. I saw you on ring finders and was wondering if you’d be interested in a hunt on Carolina Beach? Or could you put me in touch with someone if I’m out of your range? I lost my wedding rings sitting on the beach yesterday. I would appreciate any help or advice!” The text included her number, so I called for more details. When we talked, we agreed we’d meet in a particular parking lot at 3 pm. I had already made arrangements to meet another lady on a different beach for a separate search at 12:30. I was finished with that search in time to drive the hour plus to Carolina Beach and meet Samantha on time.

As we’re walking the block to the beach, I learned there were actually 3 rings missing. She had lost her wedding band, her engagement ring, and a gold ring her parents had given her. Samantha said that she was in town to attend a bachelorette party. She had come a day early to enjoy a peaceful day on the beach reading her book. Once she had her chair in place, she took her 3 rings off and put in the cup holder to apply sunscreen. She had moved her chair once during the day. When she was ready to go, she folded the chair up and walked to the water’s edge to rinse the sand off the chair legs. When she got back to the car and looked at her hand, the shock set in. She immediately returned to where she was sitting and did a visual search and then did a pin drop on her phone for the location. When we got to the beach she walked us through the Saturday afternoon crowd to the spot of the pin drop. Surprisingly, there was only one guy sitting in the way. I turned my Equinox 800 on and started a perpendicular grid search from the dry sand to the incoming tide line. Within a grid line or two, I hit a 10 on the VDI (visual display indicator), a great number for a small yellow gold ring. I dug a scoop of sand out, checked the hole and had the target in the scoop. I dumped the sand on the beach and ran the coil over it and hit the target. I got down on my hands and knees and spread the sand out until I saw the ring. When I first showed it to Samantha, she didn’t think it was hers until she got a closer look and exclaimed (loudly) “that’s my wedding band.” She was so excited; I almost saw a tear, but she held it back. Ok, 1 ring down 2 to go. I showed her the hole and asked her if that was where she had been sitting. She replied that’s about where she was when she washed the chair legs off. I started the grid again from the hole, which had now filled in from the incoming tide. A few more steps and about ankle deep in water, I got another hit showing 10 on the VDI. I dug the target out and carefully washed the excess sand out at the water’s edge. I saw the engagement ring in the bottom of the scoop and walked over to Samantha and let her reach in the scoop and pull her ring out. That put her over the top with excitement, still no tears through, she was really trying hard not to cry. I continued the search for the 3rd ring for another 20 minutes or so and Samantha said she had to go. I told her when I found it I’ll call her and we’d work something out to get it back to her. I searched for another 30 minutes doing a complete search then did a cross grid and wasn’t able to find her 3rd ring. By this time the tide had come in enough that the water was covering my tracks. Although disappointed I couldn’t find the 3rd ring, Samantha was overjoyed she had her wedding and engagement rings back.

Samantha – Thank you for letting me help find your lost rings. So excited you got them back.

Jim

   

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Platinum Engagement Ring Lost at High Tide, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got a call from Ashley about 8:15 pm saying she had lost her engagement ring between 8th Ave and 10th Ave South and wanted to know if I could help. First thing I asked her was if she could narrow the distance down some, 2 blocks is a large search area. She narrowed down to around 9th Ave S. I then asked what time and how deep she was in the water. She said between 5-5:30 and ankle. Perfect, she was right at high tide. I told her I could be there in 15 minutes.

When I got to their rental and got out of the car, she met me in the driveway. She told me that a friend suggested she call Donnie, who he had worked for. I told her that Donnie was my son-in-law and had helped me before. Ashley and her finance, Cole walked me out to the beach and out to where Donnie was detecting. I told Donnie that Ashley had called me, but this was his search. We agreed that we’d split the beach in half and I’d go north and he’d take south. He had already done a north/south grid search down the slope, which cut out a lot of the area. I started an east/west search from his last grid line out to about thigh deep. After just a few minutes, I got a solid 10 VDI on the Equinox 800 which is what a platinum ring would show up as. When I met up with Donnie on the beach, he also had one of my granddaughters, Maris with him. When I started digging the target she came over with a flashlight. I got the target out of the hole and spread the sand out on the beach. I asked her for the flashlight, and then realized it was a pinpointer. I stuck the pinpointer in the sand looking for the target. As I found the target and pushed the ring out of the sand, Maris said “There it is!!”  This was her first ring recovery. She was so excited you’d think it was her ring we found. I gave the ring to Donnie to surprise Ashley when we got back to the rental. He got her, she was very happy. At some point she told me that they were getting married Sept 6th.

Ashley – Thank you for calling me, glad I could help!

Jim

   

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Sentimental Silver Ring Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got a call about 2:30 pm from an Indiana phone number which could only mean one thing a “Lost Item!” When I answered the phone, Joni, the young lady on the other end said, “my friend lost her ring, can you help?” For some reason I thought she said earring, so I needed details. The biggest question, was it lost in the dry or wet sand, or in the water? She said they were playing volleyball and it came off. Again, I asked just to confirm it was in the dry sand. She said yes. I told her I could be there in about 45 minutes. She was talking to someone in the background and turned back to me and said ok. Still thinking I was looking for an earring I grabbed my Gold Bug detector as well as the Equinox 800 and hit the road.

When I got to the beach and walked off the boardwalk, Gracie came walking up to me. She introduced herself, saying she was the one who had lost the “ring.” Ok, it was a ring I was looking for. Unfortunately, I left my sand scoop in the car figuring it would be of little use with an earring. Gracie walked over to the far side of the court and showed me where she had been standing and how she had hit the ball. She then moved about three quarters left on the court and showed me where a friend had found her identical gold ring in the sand. I started a grid search from where she had been standing and covered that side of the court with no luck. I then moved to the opposite side of the court and searched that entire area and still no ring. It had to be somewhere, so I started a cross grid. When I got to the end of the court, I did about 4 more grid lines in the out of bounds area. I got a strong hit and was confident it was the ring. Without my scoop, I had to get down in the sand and start feeling through the sand for the ring. It took a couple of seconds, but I found it. Gracie was so excited and happy. She shared that her mother bought her that ring when she graduated from the 8th grade, and she’s worn it ever since. So happy to get the ring back to her and continue its story.

Joni – Thanks for calling me!

Gracie – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure.

Jim

 

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