lost cell phone Tag | The Ring Finders

Clemmons, NC – Wedding band lost exercising in park.

  • from Winston-Salem (North Carolina, United States)
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On Monday 09/14/2026 I received notification from my daughter that a local resident was appealing for assistance locating her husbands ring on a social media site.  Described as lost while exercising in a park.

I contacted Mrs. Brown and explained I was a short distance from the park and would be glad to assist in the search.  I also warned her to not share too many specifics online because it was lost in a public place.   Explaining it was in a heavy traffic area and time was of the essence I assured her I would be on-site immediately following a meeting I had already committed to.

Arrived at the park after 8:00 and darkness had set in.  I immediately realized that no lighting was in this area so I geared up with my headlamp and a spare light in my pocket “just in case”.   Walking towards the trail entrance I scanned beside of the paved sidewalk in case he had dropped in this area. I had many strong shallow signals and each time found where others had dropped fishing weights.   When I entered the trailhead I began scanning left of the trail approximately 50 yards into woods. It became even darker because trees blocked star and moonlight.  Approaching a park bench I recalled her description of his workout that he would stop to do push-ups. This area looked to be where he may stop to do push-ups.  I searched around the bench and approximately four feet off trail I had a strong signal. Looking closer I discovered a black and gold ring.

I texted Mrs. Brown asking if she could describe the ring and she replied with a photo.  Whoo-hoo, ring found in 30 minutes.  I made her aware by texting a photo and she immediately called me overjoyed and saying “I cannot believe you found it”.   We made arrangements to meet the next day.   She was not going to tell her husband so it could be a surprise.

I met with Mrs. Brown and she was very happy and could not stop looking at the ring.  Her husband as of this writing is still not aware of the recovery and hopefully we will get an update in comments of how the reveal pans out.

Thank you for entrusting me to find your husbands treasure.  Although this recovery didn’t cause to much exercise for me I did get some steps in.


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Turuo, MA iPhone Hidden by Rain Driven Sand Found By Richard Browne and Returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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September 14, 2026

It was a balmy Saturday night, clear enough to star gaze, but unfortunately loose a cell phone in the sand. Then the rain came like it hasn’t in several years so said the weather man. No searching or raking the area the “FIND-ME” said the phone was in gave up the lost phone. Take note here that the Ping mark for a lost phone is generally good for locating within about a 30 foot radius the rest is up to the owner to find it. Here again the party did not have the correct gear to really search the area for the lost phone. Someone came up with the idea of a metal detectorist that could help out.

When I got the call I was not at home to receive it and driving so I did not read or answer a text right away. At home a few text with a third party as Ari did not have her phone. To make things harder, Ari had left the Cape and was in Boston. Well, I had a ping mark on a screen shot of the area, but it was getting late and the beach was over an hour away, depending on traffic. I would be on the beach before noon.

At 11AM I was on the site. I went to the area of the ping mark. To my dismay there were parallel grid marks, someone had already been there. Either the phone had been found or it was not in the area that had been searched. I increased the to about a 40 foot radius. After a few passes bingo there was a big signal and a gentle push in the sand and there was the Apple iPhone. Mission accomplished. Well almost, I had to return the phone.

I texted the contact’s phone number, hoping Ari was still with her friend. Guess what…the phone I had just found started ringing, but it was locked and I could not answer the call. Back at my car a contact was made as was an arrangement for the phone to be picked up at my home. Where Photos were taken and more of how the phone’s loss took place. I am not sure here, but I believe Ari had sketched the Thank You card and added on the reverse side a heart felt Thank You. I know I have helped many in the same way and hope to keep up the trend for many years to come. A note to me is a meaningful gift that I can revisit time after time. Thank you.

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Property markers located in Yadkin County, NC for couple that had tree fall damaging home and side porch.

  • from Winston-Salem (North Carolina, United States)
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I was contacted by a lady whom I assisted almost a year ago when her husband lost his wedding band.  She advised that in a recent storm two very large pine trees had fallen onto their home causing damage.   The property line is lined with many additional trees is the same state of decay causing concern.   They were unsure « if » the trees were theirs, neighbors or shared and wanted to address the situation before additional damage following their insurance carriers instructions.

They had reached out to many land survey companies whom quoted significant fees or responded that they didn’t have availability to help.  Many didn’t even return calls.  Discouraged she remembered my assisting with the ring recovery and knowing property markers are metallic returned to my RF listing and saw I assisted in locating property markers.

We scheduled a day and time for me to assist.  Preliminary research I used publicly accessible tools to research property lines, lot owners and placement of markers.

Arrived, searched and after a little confusion and finding the Plat map that was included with their home purchase information we were successful in identifying that their back yard was deeper than they thought and that the large line of trees was in no way on their property.  🙂   To be 100% sure I located the driven markers digging one and clearing growth away from the others.  To maintain visibility both were spray painted white.

Full disclosure I am not a land surveyor.  I only located the markers placed by surveyors of years past that matched up to the written description on their plat map which is official record at the Yadkin County, NC Register of Deeds.

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Wedding ring recovered in Catawba, NC lost while fighting off angry yellow jackets. see link at end for WXII-12 News Story.

  • from Winston-Salem (North Carolina, United States)
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Received message from Mr. Ashe asking if I could assist him in Catawba area of Lake Norman.  I advised I was at work but could meet him afterwards and I was almost an hour away.  We made arrangements and I will let todays news story pick it up from here :)…

CATAWBA, N.C. — A Catawba man has been reunited with his wedding ring weeks after losing it while swatting at a swarm of yellow jackets in his backyard. He was helped by the metal detecting skills of a Forsyth County ring finder.

It all started in early August when David Ashe was doing some landscaping in preparation for a pool to be constructed in his backyard.

« Had the weed whacker, and I kind of went over a yellow jacket nest, » Ashe said. As the insects swarmed, Ashe tried to fend them off.

« I was swatting hard, and my ring shot off, and at that point I just ran, » he said.

Ashe escaped with more than 100 stings, and his wedding ring missing. He knew it was lost somewhere in the wooded ravine behind his home.

« My ring is very, very sentimental and precious to me because my wife picked it out and engraved it, » Ashe said.

Married since 2012, Ashe says his wife means the world to him. He said being without the ring felt strange.

« It feels naked because in the 12 years I’ve had this, I wear this every day, like it’s just every single day, » he said. « And my wife was reassuring me. She’s like, ‘You know, it doesn’t mean we’re not married, just means you don’t have your ring.’ But for me, it felt like something was missing. Something was just not right. »

Weeks passed before Ashe could return to the area to search for the ring, as he first had to deal with the yellow jackets. Heavy rain further complicated the search.

« It fills with water and kind of pushes,” he said, referring to the ravine where the ring was lost. “And at that point I thought for sure that’s what was happening. It was just going to keep pushing out on out into Lake Norman.”

Ashe purchased a metal detector to aid in his search, but the low-cost device didn’t yield any results. He said he was constantly picking up on the beeps and pops of other metal items.

That’s when he searched online and found out about a group called The Ring Finders. On the group’s website, he discovered Brad Trogdon, a Forsyth County resident with a simple description of his beloved hobby. « Obsessively metal detect if you ask my wife, » Trogdon said.

Trogdon discovered his passion for metal detecting during a beach trip two years ago.

“I refer to a metal detector like a foreign language; you can hear them speaking, you don’t comprehend it until you’ve studied awhile,” he said. “And that’s how I understand what I’m hearing in the beeps and the pops and whatnot.”

Now, he uses that skill to help people recover lost valuables, using higher-end metal detectors and an unrelenting attitude.

« I have a bad habit of not wanting to give up, » Trogdon said.

The two searched the woods behind Ashe’s house for hours, even continuing after dark. Ashe assumed his ring had flown in a certain direction, but searching that area proved fruitless. Then, Trogdon turned to a different section.

« It was late. It was very hot. I was soaking wet, and I said, I’m going to give it one more go because I hadn’t searched that area but once,” Trogdon said. “And when I did, the second search is when we came across it. »

Finally, Trogdon’s metal detector emitted the distinct beeping sound they had been waiting for.

« With a flashlight shining on it, that ring glowed back at me,” Trogdon said. “And that’s when I grinned real big, and I asked him, I’m like, ‘You didn’t say it had diamonds in it!’ »

The white gold wedding ring with a line of diamonds embedded in it was found tucked into a rotten tree stump just feet from Ashe’s house.

« I put it on my hand, and it just felt like everything was just back to where it was, where it should be, » Ashe said.

Ashe has since added an adjuster to his ring to prevent it from flying off again, but if it ever does, Trogdon and his metal detector are ready to help.

Learn more about Brad Trogdon’s ring-finding work by clicking here.

Lead in to news story: WXII 12 – Lead In

Full news story:  WXII 12 – NBC News

Read the rest of this entry »

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Concord Mills, NC – Lost wedding ring cleaning garden – FOUND!

  • from Winston-Salem (North Carolina, United States)
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Received text message Tuesday asking if I could help find her husbands wedding band.  I advised could help tomorrow afternoon as would be in area and another ring finder services that area.  She is out of town and timing is perfect husband contacted another but wasn’t available for a few days.  Story is that husband was cleaning garden and while tossing bad tomatoes over the fence he realized his ring was missing.   I advised I would arrive at 6:30 and would text when enroute and again at 10 minutes out.

Arrived at their home and husband led me to the garden area and reenacted his work pattern of throwing with left hand backwards over the fence. I searched the immediate area and V pattern towards to fence. Negative results…. Relocated to outside of fence and began search carefully from fence and 10 feet back. This was a little more difficult because of small trees and overgrowth.  After 10 minutes working across the fence line I heard the desired tone and visually spotted the ring at the base of a tree. I retrieved the ring and handed to its owner whom was very happy.

Conversation following the recovery, owner admitted he had purchased a metal detector locally and searched without success. Said « the thing just made a lot of noises ». He then described purchasing a pen pointer off Amazon and searching following an online search suggestion.  Great that he tried himself and fortunate the area was in his property but had it been in a public space the delay and prolonged time laying on the ground a stranger could have just happened by and found it and gained a new ring to his loss.   Absolutely nothing better that the big smiles folks make when their items are found and returned.

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Wedding ring returned to owner. – Mount Airy, NC

  • from Winston-Salem (North Carolina, United States)
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On Wednesday, 06/10/2026, I was scrolling Facebook when I saw a post in a local group inviting anyone offering services or running a small business to share what they do. I had a few minutes, so I created a post that said I help lost jewelry find its owners and owners find their lost items and attached my business card .

Within an hour, I received a call from Jamie, who said he had just seen my post and had lost his wedding ring a few days earlier while cleaning a cooler after a weekend gathering. He explained that he lived in the Mount Airy area and asked if I could help. My reply was, « Absolutely. » As long as someone hadn’t picked it up, I was confident I could locate it.

I told Jamie that I was in Wilkes County (about 45 minutes away) and currently at a meeting, but I would head his way afterward and text him my ETA.

After the meeting, as I walked to my car, I noticed the sky was dark and angry to the northeast—toward Jamie’s location. I entered his address into my GPS, which showed an arrival time of around 6:00 p.m. I texted Jamie the details and got on the road.

During the drive, I entered a heavy downpour and thought to myself, « I may be detecting under an umbrella for the first time! » Fortunately, I was out of the rain after only about 10 minutes.

When I arrived, I met Jamie, who explained that he had washed the cooler and then flung his hands backward to dry them. You don’t have to guess what happened next. The ring flew off, and he heard it hit the ground somewhere in the distance. Although he searched extensively, he was unable to find it.

I carry rings with me so we can perform a test toss and estimate how far a ring might travel. The test toss indicated a distance of approximately 25 feet. I began my search beyond that distance and worked my way back toward the porch, but with no success.

Jamie then mentioned that the ring could have gone farther to his left than the test toss suggested. I started again, this time from the porch and worked my way out into the yard. As I did, I began feeling raindrops. Remembering the strong storm I had driven through earlier, I picked up the pace. About a minute later, I heard exactly what I was hoping for.

Under my coil was his ring.

I picked it up and quickly walked over to Jamie, asking, « Is this it? »

« Yes! » he replied. « Where did you find it? »

By this point, the rain was really coming down. I asked him for a quick photo, you can even see the raindrops on the business card.

Found in less than 30 minutes and barely missed the monsoon. 🙂  Thank you for trusting me and allowing me to assist you, Jamie!

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Forsyth, Stokes, Davidson, Davie, Yadkin and Wilkes Counties Metal Detecting Service… Lost your Ring, Cell Phone or Keys… Call ASAP – TheRingFinders Brad (336) 793-5698.

  • from Winston-Salem (North Carolina, United States)
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I received a message on social media reply to a post where I had assisted a lady in locating a tool she had dropped in her yard.  She explained that she had lost her diamond ring in her yard while randomly pulling weeds over a year ago.  Her main question was could it be found after this amount of time.  I responded absolutely that rings have been found that have been lost for hundreds of years and precious metals hold up very well in the soil.

We scheduled a day and time for me to review the area that she thought it could have dropped.  We searched four areas of her home with negative results.  After an hour she wanted to stop the search so she could prepare a meal for her family.  Even though not immediately found we know where the ring is not hiding and I hope to schedule time and perform a broader search around her home.

Most important if you are reading this and have lost a ring or valuable item « Do Not » post specifics on social media with pictures and where you last saw the item.  Social media is great but also not so honest people are there as well that will gladly take your information and search for your item for their personal gain.  Its sad but does often occur.  Please reach out to me or another reputable individual that may be able to assist you in locating your item.

This is a hobby for me and not a business so any reward you provide other than expenses I gladly accept and in turn share with local non-profits and St. Jude Children’s hospital.

I love my hobby and more importantly the smiles on peoples faces when their items are found.

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Covell’s Beach, Barnstable, MA: IPhone found and returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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August 27, 2022

No phone call for this find and return. I was just finishing up an enjoyable evening of metal detecting and heading across the sandy beach when I found the best find of the evening, an IPhone.

The IPhone had a Find My Phone application on it. Unfortunately, I had no idea of how to use the app. I saw the battery was charged and the phone appeared to be functioning properly, but it was “locked” and I did not have the password to “unlock” it. Whatever I did, the phone started ringing. Again, I pressed the displayed prompts and I was connected to Krista.

The phone was Krista’s daughter’s and it had fallen off the beach chair as they were leaving the beach. At home Jenna went to retrieve the phone from the car’s trunk but could not find it. That is when the “Find My Phone” app was activated. If you are reading this blog and have a cell phone, I would suggest you learn about the app if you do not already know about it. As I personally have an Android phone and I have the splash screen instruct anyone that may have found the phone to call my home number. Now I will look into the Find My Phone app and see if there is one for the Android.

Back to the return: After a quick chat Krista said if I waited at the beach, she would be there to pick up the phone in about 15 minutes. I just had to wait as I know how important a cell phone with all the photos and information one needs is very important to them. Besides I also needed some information and photos to complete this blog. The time passed, Krista and Jenna arrived on time and the rest is filled with smiles, Thank Yous, and above all a promise for a personal note for my scrap book of Happy Memories.

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Lost Cell Phone Returned to Owner at Bayview Beach, Dennis, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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August 20, 2022
I was called to find a bracelet but as I was searching, I was asked “Had I found the phone? What? No, I was looking for a bracelet. I saw disappointment in the inquisitive face. I could not let it go, I said where was it lost and was it waterproof? Here and yes, it was waterproof. OK, I will search for both.

After about two hours of searching and finding only two beer bottle twist off caps and two pull tabs I was beginning to think there may be something wrong with my detector. No, it was just that the beach was heavily detected, and all good targets had been removed. Then my ears began to ring with a sound like I had just swung the detector’s coil over a large beer can. But I had to scoop carefully just in case it was a precious object. Yes, it was the yellow phone. Mike came over to me and in disbelief said: “It is still working!”

A couple of quick Thank Yous and he was off toward the shoreline. I continued to search for the Bracelet. A few minutes later Mike and his niece Pina came back into the water and thanked me again.
I had no means of taking any information so I asked if they would please text me with the information I needed for this blog. It is so wonderful that I get to see many smiling faces and hear cheers form the beach goers when I get to return a precious item and in this case an item filled with many photo memories, ones that could not be replaced.

Unfortunately, I have not yet found the bracelet that I had initially been called to help find. I had stayed well after dark on Saturday and returned Sunday morning for another two-hour search. I will return mid-week and expand the area of search. It is not time to give up hope, there are other detectorists I will keep in touch with as one might just find the bracelet before I do. Until then I will keep Pina’s smile in my phone and perhaps it will bring a bit of good luck for me to locate the bracelet.

Mike: thanks for not giving up on your family’s and your searching efforts. Had you left without giving me your contact information, I may not have been able to unlock the phone and retrieve information that would have led to Pina. And I would not have a wonderful smile to remind me of her hope to have her phone returned.

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Metal Detecting Service in The Bay Area…Happy Client!

  • from Walnut Creek (California, United States)
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Bay Area Ring Finders Brendon Chapman… Metal Detecting Service/Call ASAP     925-580-2590

A few nights back, I had the opportunity to teach a client a little bit about metal detectors, metal detecting, and even provided this individual with metal detecting equipment while assisting with cleaning up debris from a recently demolished old shed!  Although there was not too much to find, I believe the individual really enjoyed their experience as well as the services I was able to provide.

   

My typical services include searching for your lost valuables (jewelry, cell phone, car keys, etc.), but I can also assist with other tasks such as the one mentioned above.  Additionally, If you are interested in the hobby, I can also provide equipment, tools, and entry level instruction for your very own metal detecting adventure!  I utilize high end equipment and search techniques to help…MAKE THE RECOVERY!!!

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