Metal Detecting Ocean Isle Beach NC Tag | The Ring Finders

Sentimental Silver chain with Medallion and Charms Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach, NC

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

Just before 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, I got a text message from Katie saying, “Hi. I lost my necklace at Ocean Isle Beach, just in front of Ocean Isle Inn, towards the end closest to the pier. It was lost yesterday evening, around 2200.” Knowing the tides, I knew 10 p.m. last night was right at low tide. I responded back to her text asking, what kind of necklace and was it lost in the water or dry sand? I also asked her to call me. She responded back describing the chain, medallion, and 3 additional charms that were on the necklace, she also added 2 photos showing the necklace. I asked her again to call me, and then asked again if it was lost in the ocean or wet sand. I also asked if she was still in the area to show me the location. Her last text said it was lost on the beach about 10-15 ft in front of the dunes. She also said she was in transit heading back to Raleigh. Then she finished saying, “I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly though, maybe I’ll get lucky somehow and if someone found it, they will see my post. Crazier things have happened, right? Thank you again”. As soon as I read 10-15 ft from the dunes, I knew I had almost a 100% chance of finding her necklace. Local detectionists usually don’t hunt that high on the beach, and tourists usually hunt right behind a hotel or resort. I text back that since it was in the dry sand, it shouldn’t be a problem and I was going to look for it.

When I got to the beach, there was nobody sitting where I needed to detect, which was a little surprising. I turned my Equinox on, and started an east/west grid line parallel to the surf and at the base of the dunes. I probably covered twice the area I needed to, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. My 6th or 7th grid line I got a shallow but solid 16/17 VDI (visual display indicator). I gently dug a scoop full of sand. As I’m lifting the scoop out of the hole, I see the silver necklace hanging out of the sand in the scoop. I reached down and pulled the necklace out of the sand and out came the medallion and charms. It was still all in one piece and I didn’t have a broken necklace, thank goodness! I took a picture of the necklace, medallion and charms, text “Found it!!” and sent it to her. Since she was driving, it took her a little while to respond but when she did, she was excited. Part of her text said “Literally in tears right now!!” Right then I knew this necklace had a lot of sentimental value attached to it. I ask her if there was a back story attached to the necklace, and indeed there was. After hearing her story, I knew, without a doubt, it was worth every second I spent looking, finding, and returning her very special treasure to her.

Katie, I wish you only the best. Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost necklace.

Jim

   

Man’s Sterling Silver Bracelet Lost, Found and Returned on Ocean Isle Beach NC

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

About 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday, July 14th, I received a text from Sean saying in part, “Hi Jim, lost a sterling silver bracelet this morning at OIB (Ocean Isle Beach). Lost it just off public access at Monroe St.” I tried calling him and got an immediate text back saying “sorry, I am on a work call at the moment. I’m off around 1:30, but if you did want to come detect before then, my wife could meet you at the beach and show you where we were.” I responded back “Was it in the dry sand or water?” His response was, “Dry sand, I am pretty sure. I did sit on the edge of water with my daughter but I have a hard time believing it came out of pocket. I took it off near chairs to go for a run, then forgot to put it back on when I returned. Lost when packing up I expect.” I text him back that I could be there in 40 minutes and he sent me his wife, Olivia’s, number for coordination purposes. I called Olivia and told her I’d be there in 40 minutes, grabbed my detector and was on my way.

When I arrived at the access, Olivia was waiting on me. She led me out to the exact spot where Sean suspected he lost his bracelet. I thought I’d have to work around the people already on the beach enjoying the day. Instead, there was a small clear area surrounded by groups of people on all 4 sides. I’m not sure if it was luck or prearranged by Olivia or Sean to keep the spot open, but it worked. I turned my machine on, took 3 or 4 steps and hit a nice target. Dug the target up, lightly shook out the sand and there was Sean’s bracelet in the bottom of the scoop. Olivia was kind enough to stand in for Sean and let me take a couple of pictures of her holding the bracelet. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to meet Sean, but it all ended with a happy return. On my way home I got a text from Sean saying, “Thanks! Delighted you found it. I had already contacted the seller and they didn’t have them anymore. Much appreciated!”

Sean/Olivia – Thank you for trusting me and The Ring Finders to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation and have a safe trip home to Maine.

Jim

Man’s Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean at Ocean Isle Beach NC, Found and Returned

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

This adventure started when I got a phone call from Alicia at 11:15 am, asking if I could help find her husband, Sam’s, wedding band. She told me that one of her girlfriend’s father had recommended The Ring Finders, sure am glad he did. I started getting the details and it sounded like a good challenge. She said that she and Sam got married yesterday and after a full day of fun, it was time to relax. Not sure how many were involved, but Alicia said a whole lot of people (wedding party and family members) decided to take a midnight (literally) swim in the ocean. I asked her how deep they were and she said “torso” deep, so anywhere from shoulders to naval, which if they’re short, it’s not too bad. Taking a quick look at the tide tables, they were swimming about an hour to an hour and a half before high tide, big help! Low tide for today was around 8:30 pm so I told her I’d be there close to 5 pm. I had nothing going on, so I took a ride up to do a recon on what I was up against. When I got there, Alicia came out and confirmed the area, and roughly, how far out they had been. I was thinking I’d be back at about mid tide and work the outgoing tide and should have a pretty good shot at finding the ring.

I got back there right around 5:30 pm, and got to meet some of the family around the pool, a great bunch of people! Made my way out to the beach, and decided to do a perpendicular grid search (shore line to water). I got about half way through my third grid line and got a banging signal on my Equinox 800 that was registering 22-24 on the VDI. I was about thigh deep and dug a scoop of sand, checked the hole and it was clear. Washed the sand out of the scoop in the surf, checked the scoop and nothing. Hmmm, maybe I had a small target that fell through the holes in the scoop. Checked the hole again then around the hole and got the signal again. Took another scoop of sand, checked the hole and the area around the hole and I had the target (again) in the scoop. I walked up to the wet sand and dumped the scoop, checked the pile of sand and found the target. Spread the sand out with my foot and saw the outline of a ring in the sand. Washed it off, confirmed the inscription that Alicia said was in it and knew I had it. I took a picture and text Alicia saying “Bingo!” She immediately text me back and said she was on her way back to the house. Total search time was between 20-30 minutes. Made it back to the pool that the family was still gathered around, had a cold beer with them and waited for Alicia. She was so excited, she just knew the ring was gone forever.

Most of the rental houses on the beach are named, this house was no different. Ironically the name on this house was “The Memory Maker,” I’m sure that Alicia and Sam will remember this adventure for a very long time.

Alicia, thank you so much for trusting me to find your lost treasure. Hope and pray for only the best for you and Sam, take care of each other.

Jim