Gypsy-18th century diamond ring found in ocean…White Rock Beach
In late February 2008 last year I received a call from a young lady who needed help finding her lost ring. I listened to her story as she described the days events leading to the loss for her antique gypsy diamond engagement ring at White Rock beach, in South Surrey BC.
It was a heart felt story as this lady had lost two family members shortly before the day she lost her ring. When I heard her story I was determined to help find this ring and give her back a little happiness.
She told me on the day she lost her ring she had taken a walk on the White Rock pier to unwind and collect her thoughts. It was a cool day in early January as she sat down on a bench and took off her glove to get something out of her purse.
Just then as she pulled her glove off her ring went flying across the wooden pier floor, and fell through the cracks into the water below. After telling her husband about the lost ring, he went out with a rented metal detector, for two days at low tide to search for his wife’s engagement ring.
He did everything he could do to find the ring but was unsuccessful in his efforts… The ring was lost.
Close to 6 weeks later on CBC radio she heard a story about a treasure hunter who reunites people with their lost jewellery, with nothing to lose she called Finders. I listened as she described the location of her lost ring and I asked her if she could meet me to show the exact area the ring fell into the water.
She explained to me that the next day they were off to Hawaii for a vacation and wouldn’t be able to meet me. I asked lots of questions and took notes on the location and felt good about the search the next day.
The interesting thing about this search was that so much time had passed from the time the ring was lost, to the day I searched. There is always a chance another treasure hunter already found the ring or how far did the ring move with all the tides changes in that 6 week time frame.
When I arrive at the beach and found the location that she gave me over the phone, I realize the low tide wasn’t out far enough. This wasn’t going to stop me from searching, I took off my shoes and rolled up my pant legs and began my search.
Within 15 minutes and two frozen legs I found her ring! I get just as excited as the people I find it for, I just don’t show it. But that day because no one was with me, I shouted…Yah Hoo to myself.
Knowing they were on their way to Hawaii, I called and left a message that the ring was found. I received a call a few days later when she checked her messages, she sounded very excited.
When they got back in town I met her at her work, which was very close to my home and gave her back her ring. She gave me a very nice reward and I gave 50% to Charity.
After talking for a bit I explained how hard it is to make people aware of my ”Finders” service, you have to be a millionaire to advertise. I told her that there are so many people who could use this service but don’t know that I’m out there to help.
She told me that she knew a friend who writes for a local newspaper and that she’d get in touch with her… That call turned into 2 newspaper stories, 1 radio spot and 1 CTV News story. I’ve been very fortunate that the press likes to do a human interest story… on good news!
I love my Job!
Search and we will Find
