Metal Detecting Service Myrtle Beach SC Tag | The Ring Finders

39th Wedding Anniversary to Myrtle Beach S.C., foiled by mishap with Man’s Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started when I got a voice message on October 12, 2026, at 9:23 a.m. saying in part, “This is David calling. I lost a ring in the ocean. We’re staying at the Dayton resort in Myrtle Beach. I’m wondering if the ring can be found or we can at least try.” I answered the call mid-sentence and talked with David. He advised me that he lost the ring last Wednesday, which was 5 days ago around 12 to 1 p.m. in waist deep water.  A quick look at the tide table for last Wednesday showed he lost it right at low tide. He also said he was between waist to chest deep and wasn’t really sure of the area. There were a whole lot of bad possibilities with this search. One, waist to chest deep at low tide, Two, not real sure of the area, Three, we just had hurricane Isaias that brought in lots of sand and heavy surf, Four, lost 5 days ago, and Five that part of Myrtle Beach is heavily detected, especially after a storm. Ok, it was worth a shot, plus I have a hard time saying “no” to someone asking for help. Looking at tide tables again, I saw today’s low tide was going to be around 3:30 p.m. I asked David if he could meet me there about 2:30 to show me the area. He agreed and we set the time for 2:30 p.m.

When I arrived on the beach, I met up with David, his wife Donna and their two daughters Janaya and Aundrea. Aundrea was the one that found me through Google and referred me to her dad. Janaya is the one that first realized her dad had lost his ring. They were sitting around the pool and Janaya asked her dad, “dad, where’s your ring?” Guess things went downhill from there, because he had been in the ocean and really had no idea where the ring had come off. Janaya had told me that her dad had gotten knocked down by the waves and used his left hand in the sand to push himself back up. So, I suspected that’s how his ring came off. I asked David where I should start the search and how far over I needed to go. He set me up at the corner of a resort that was getting remodeled and had cranes next to the building. His end point was the third resort down from there. All told, it was about a football field size area.  I started an east/west (shore to ocean) grid search out to where the waves were hitting the breakers and was about stomach deep. In the process, I ran into another three guys detecting. One, a friend said he had been out there Saturday and there were 7 other people with detectors. Something I’ve noticed though, is most people detecting stay in the wet to dry sand, I rarely see anyone in the ocean detecting. After about 2 hours with no success, I met up with David. He asked if I’d mind starting at my original starting point and work a little more to the north. I was probably 5 or 6 lines north of my starting point and waist to stomach deep when I hit an iffy signal. Knowing I was looking for a man’s thin gold wedding band, I was expecting anywhere from a 13 to an 18 on the Equinox VDI (visual display indicator). This target was jumping from 13-15. It took me 3 full scoops of sand to finally get the target out of the hole. On the third scoop, I washed the sand out and heard the distinct sound of metal rattling in the metal scoop. I looked in and saw a thin yellow gold wedding band that matched David’s description perfectly. BINGO! I walked out of the ocean trying to figure out a good surprise for David and Donna when I ran into Janaya and Aundrea walking up the beach. I put myself between them and David and Donna, who were sitting up in the dry sand and told them, “Don’t show any excitement, but is this your dad’s ring,” as I held it up. Their eyes got big and both said “yes” at the same time. I told them, “Let’s go surprise your mom and dad.” We walked up to David and Donna, and I don’t remember how I did it, but they were both shocked and amazed that his ring was found. We took lots of pictures and their Anniversary vacation was saved. I love returning people’s special treasures when they thought they were gone forever.

David, Donna, Janaya and Aundrea – You are an amazing family, and I am so glad I could help find David’s treasure back where it belongs. Plus, I got a chance to meet you all. Thank you for trusting me to help find his ring.

Jim

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Black with Blue Sapphire Stone High School Class Ring Lost in the Wet to Dry Sand, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Thursday, June 25, 2026, just before 8 a.m.  I received a message from Josie that said, “Hello, someone referred me to you to find my son’s high school ring, it fell in the shore waves yesterday right in front of the Bermuda Sands Resort. I was told if anyone can find is a black ring with a blue sapphire stone and has his name on it.” I didn’t see the message until a little after 10 and then messaged her to call me and added my phone number. Low tide was just before 11 a.m. so I had time to work the outgoing tide. I got a few more details, including that they were checking out at 11 a.m. from the resort. I asked her if she could meet me to show me the area and she agreed. I told her I’d be there a little after 11, grabbed my Equinox 800 and was on the road.

When I arrived, I met Josie on the beach, and she showed me where they had been sitting. I started an east/west grid search above the suspected spot and worked my way down the beach slope to the low tide line. I ran a north grid and wasn’t having any luck other than a little change. So, I went back to my starting point and ran a south grid. Probably about 5 lines south of the original spot I hit a solid 5 on the VDI (visual display indicator). Josie wasn’t sure what metal the ring was, but when I’m doing a ring search, I dig everything even though I know what it is. One shallow scoop of sand and I had the target in my scoop. I shook out the sand and looked in and saw her son, Kabriel’s ring lying in the bottom of the scoop.   Bingo!! I held the ring up so Josie knew I found it and she came running! She was very excited and so relieved. I’m sure it’s going to be a much more pleasant 4 plus hour drive home.

Josie – Thank you so much for trusting me to help find your son’s very special HS ring and get it back where it belongs! I wish you all the best.

Jim

 

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Key Fob Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Friday, June 19, 2026 as I was in the process of doing a grid search for a lost ring, a young lady came running up to me in a panic asking for help. I had my earphones and couldn’t understand what she was asking. When I removed them she said that they had lost their keys and could I please help. I left my scoop in the sand to mark my grid line and followed her down the beach. When I got to the area, I’m assuming her husband Jay said that he had lost his key fob and showed me the area. I made a couple of passes over the area with the coil and got a strong signal. I showed Jay the spot and he reached into the sand and retrieved the fob. All was well and the family could head home. Wish all the searches were that easy.

Jim

 

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14K Yellow Gold Wedding Band Lost in Resort Parking Garage, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This search started on Sunday Sept. 14, 2025, just before 4 pm with a text from Cody saying, “Hi Jim, I found your number on a metal detecting page. We just stayed at Sands Resort this weekend and my wife put her ring in our backpack cooler for safe keeping. When we went to put our beach wagon back in the car, we dumped out the sand. The backpack cooler never left the wagon and her ring was gone. We can only imagine we dumped it out in the parking deck. I was wondering if this would be something you could help with. We are 4 hours away. I called the number attached to the text message and got a few more details from Cody. One of the things he told me was the ring was a yellow gold wedding band that was part of a set, but this was just the wedding band that was lost. He said they were parked on the 5th level and 2 parking spaces to the left, directly across from the elevator. He also mentioned that they had left to go back home about 8 am that day. I’m thinking that our tourist season is winding down and there should be fewer guests at the resort.  I also thought there was a pretty good chance of finding his wife, Desiree’s wedding band. I told him I’d go a little later and would let him know when I was on my way.

About 7:30 pm I sent him a text saying, “On my way.” Since this was going to be strictly a visual search, I grabbed a flashlight and a small fan rake. The rake was in case I had to reach under a car if that’s where the ring was. I got to the resort about 8 pm and needed a parking card to get into the parking lot. I had to go in and explain what was going on to the front desk clerk and she gave me a card to park. As I’m driving through the maze of the parking garage, I’m noticing the first 3 levels of parking were completely full. Not what I was hoping for. When I got to level 5, it was almost empty of cars. I parked 1 spot to the right of the elevator and walked over to the elevator to make sure I was on the 5th level. There was a car parked in the 3rd spot, left of the elevator, but they left after I started looking around with the flashlight. I checked the 1st and 2nd spot and saw nothing. So, as usual when I can’t find what I’m looking for in the area it’s supposed to be in, I expand my search out. I looked out to the 6th spot on the left with no luck, so I started back to the right. As I’m getting ready to move my car, I glanced over on the 2nd spot to the right of the elevator and noticed a small object. As I walked over to it, Bingo, there was her ring just lying on the ground. I took a picture of me holding her ring and one of just the ring and sent it to him. In the text I said, “Cody, you need to go buy you a lottery ticket, now.” He immediately responded, “Brother you are a gift!!!” I called him telling him where I found it. He was positive it should have been on the left of the elevator. So, we’re thinking it either got kicked, flung out of the cooler or possibly rolled over to where it was. How it got to where it was, we’ll never know, but I was glad it did. I asked him to send me his name and address so I could get it in the mail tomorrow, Monday. He and Desiree were very excited to be getting it back.

They got the ring back on Thursday and I got the picture of Desiree and her big smile on Saturday.

Cody – thank you for calling me to help find Desiree’s treasure.

Jim

 

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24K Yellow Gold Wedding Band and 24K Yellow Gold Anniversary Ring Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started on 8/18/25 at 11:31 am, and what an adventure it turned out to be. I received a text message from Heather saying, “Hi, looking for help. Lost my wedding ring and anniversary ring today.” I replied for her to call me and sent her my number. When she called, I asked her what time she lost it and where she was on the beach. She said she lost it about 45 minutes ago and she was sitting at the water’s edge. A quick check of the tide tables for North Myrtle Beach, and she lost it about an hour after low tide. I told her I was on my way, knowing that I missed my chance with the tide. I had little chance of finding her rings at that time, but it gave me a chance to see what I was up against. When I met Heather on the beach she showed me a picture of the rings. She stated the wedding band was yellow gold and about 3mm in width. The anniversary ring was thinner and had 5 diamonds on it, both rings were 24 Karat yellow gold. She pointed out where she had been sitting and mentioned she had moved a little south for a while and then back again. She also mentioned she had been knocked over by a wave. I tried doing an east west grid perpendicular to the surf but wasn’t making any progress. After maybe 45 minutes of getting pounded by the waves, getting my metal scoop slammed into my shin causing a cut, and getting knocked down twice. I decided now was not the right time! I told Heather I’d be back for the evening low tide which was just before 11 pm. On the way home I called my buddy Burwin to see if he was interested in a nighttime hunt. He jumped at the chance. Having someone to help on night hunts, helps with covering the area twice as quick. It’s also good to have someone watching your back, literally. Burwin and I hit the beach later that evening and the conditions were worse than earlier. We had no luck and called it a night after about 2 hours of searching. So, I already decided I’d be out the next morning an hour or so before low tide.

The next morning, I was getting ready to leave when I noticed I had a voice mail and text message from Katie H. Her text message read, “Hi Jim, My name is Katie H. and I’m a reporter with WBTW news 13. I just left you a voice mail trying to get in contact with you. We are hoping to do a story on you and your company and the recent ring you just found for a visiting couple in North Myrtle. I would love to shadow or follow you for a day and to interview you regarding your process and why you love to do what you do. If you’re able to speak today please text or call me back and even if that isn’t possible but you are available sometime this week, let me know that as well and we can set something up! Thank you! Kindest Regards, Katie H.” I called Katie back and she explained what she wanted to do. I told her, “it just so happens I’m on my way to a ring search and she was more than welcome to come along.” We agreed to meet at the location, and I was on my way. I got there before she did and started my east/west grid search. The sea and weather conditions were better, and I thought I’d have a much better chance of finding Heather’s 2 rings. When Katie showed up, I met her at the top of the slope, and she did my interview. When she finished, I told her how I do my searches and started an east/west grid from the high tide line to about knee to waist deep. On my second line and as Katie was recording, I hit a solid 14 on the VDI (visual display indicator). This is what I was looking for on a gold wedding band, but it’s also where pull tabs ring up as. I dug a scoop, shook the wet sand out of it and saw Heather’s gold wedding band. I pulled it out of the scoop and showed it to Katie. We walked up the beach so I could call Heather. When I called it went to voice mail, and I told Heather “I’ve got something for you.” Katie and I walked back down the beach to where I found the 1st ring, and in just a few more steps I hit Heather’s Anniversary ring. Katie and I walked back up the beach so I could call Heather again. This time Heather answered and said, “I’m right behind you.” I turned around and handed Heather her 2 rings and got the biggest bear hug. I told Heather who Katie was, and Heather agreed to being interviewed. This entire search, recovery and return couldn’t have gone any better. After Katie’s interview with Heather, I turned around to Katie and said something like, “This is why I do this.” Katie got the message! I’ll post the news story when I get it.

Katie – Thank you so much for the opportunity to show what it is I do and why.

Heather – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasures. It was great to get them back to you where they belong.

Jim

 

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Man’s White Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 8/17/25 at about 1:30 pm I got a text message from Faith saying, “Hi Jim! My cousin just lost his wedding band in the ocean. How does this process work?” I replied with, “Call me so I can get the details.”  Her response was, “OK thanks. I’ll have him reach out.” Then about 5:30 pm, I got a text from Michael saying, “Hello, hope all is well! A group of family members told me about your page, and they might have already messaged you about my wedding band. It was 1-1:30 pm on 8/16 (yesterday) when I lost my band in the edge of the water. I was at public beach access on 15th Ave S to the right of the storm/sewer pipe. I wasn’t past the storm/sewer pipe in the water and my wedding band came off my finger. I know it’s a long shot but if you ever find a ring that looks like this let me know. Thanks for the help! (He included a picture of his ring). » I immediately text him back saying, “You were right around high tide when you lost it yesterday. I could come out about 8 tonight to look for it. I’d like you to meet me to show me the right area. Call me and I sent my number.” When he called, I confirmed basically everything he told me, and we set it up to meet at 8 pm.  About 6:30 pm I got antsy and looked at the tide tables again. I figured the tide should be low enough that his ring should be out from under the water and in the wet sand. I text him and told him I’d be there at 7 and he responded he’d see me there.

When I got there, I met Mike and his mother-in-law, Terry, on the beach. Mike pointed out the area and Terry helped with a couple observations she had.  I started north of where Mike said he was. I do that so I’m not skipping around the beach from area to area. I started an east/west grid and worked across the beach. Finally, I got an iffy signal, nothing solid but a signal. I started taking scoops of sand out of the hole until I finally got a good steady signal. A couple of more scoops and I had the target out of the hole. When I dumped the sand out of the scoop and spread the sand out with my foot, I saw Michael’s ring sitting in the sand. I took the ring down and washed the sand off in the surf and made my way to where Michael and Terry were standing. I held the ring up and smiled. Michael was so relieved and happy.

Michael – Thanks for giving me the chance to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

 

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Woman’s White Gold Wedding Band Set Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned Garden City SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 8/16/25, just after 2:30 pm, I got a call from Welton saying his wife had lost her wedding band set in the surf while playing volleyball with their daughter. I asked him about what time, and he responded about 45 minutes ago. Looking at the tide tables, high tide was at 2:05 pm. I told him I’d be there at 4 pm, knowing I’d be in the surf working an outgoing tide.

I arrived just before 4 pm and met Welton in the parking lot of the condo they were staying in. As we walked out on the beach, I saw his wife Casey sitting in a beach chair staring into the surf. When I saw that, I knew I had to find her rings. I got a few more details from Casey and started a north/south gridline running parallel to the surf. I established the north and south border lines and was working the outgoing tide. After maybe 20 minutes and a little above my ankles deep, I hit it. It wasn’t a solid signal but enough to get my attention and make me dig. I had seen a picture of her ring and I made sure I was very careful with my scoop trying to get her ring out of the sand. Because of that, it took me a few extra scoops of sand to get the ring out. When I had it in the scoop and saw it, I reached down and pulled it out of the scoop. I looked at Casey and gave her a big smile, as if to let her know I had it. I also gave Welton and head nod to let him know. Casey didn’t move until I walked back towards her and held out the ring pinched between my fingers. When she saw her ring she was overwhelmed with emotion. Big hugs from Casey and Welton made it perfect.

Welton and Casey – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation and have a very safe trip home.

Jim

   

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Wedding/Engagement Ring Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 7/31/25 and just before 2 pm, I received a text saying, “Hi Jim. My name is Jennifer B and I lost my wedding/engagement ring about an hour ago in front of the Sand Castle Ocean Front Resort South Beach. I was about thigh deep in the ocean and got wiped out by a wave and lost the ring. Sending a picture. Thank you!” I checked the tide tables and figure she lost it about 45 minutes before high tide. By now the tide would have turned. By the time I’d get there it’d be a couple hours past high tide and easily researchable. I called the number attached to the text and spoke with Jennifer. I got a few more details and told her I’d be there in about 30-35 minutes. She agreed and I was on my way.

When I arrived, I easily found a place to park and walked on the beach. I called Jennifer telling her I was on the beach, and she directed me to where she was. When we met, she explained what had happened and looking at the conditions I completely understood how she lost it. Mother Nature wasn’t in a good mood; the sea breeze had picked up enough to blow the waves straight into the beach. There was also a tough at the bottom of the slope which meant the waves were crashing right where I thought her ring would be. I started a grid search both parallel and perpendicular to the shoreline and wasn’t having any luck. Twice, I tried to venture into the tough and both times waves knocked me flat. There were people including Jennifer, trying to help me get up and grab my detector and scoop. I wasn’t having any fun at this point. There were still a few hours before low tide, so I decided to call it for now and come back later. I apologized to Jennifer for not finding it but didn’t say I was coming back at that point. I needed to check the home front and grab some dinner for the wife and me. Just before low tide, I text Jennifer saying I was going back to try again and hit the road. I arrived back right at low tide and the conditions were much better. I started a grid search at the north end of the search area and about mid tide. I was able to make my way out to waist deep. My 3rd line, I hit a solid 11 on the VDI (visual display indicator), exactly what I expected for a lady’s Platinum ring. One scoop and I had it out of the hole, gently shook the sand out and saw her ring. I took a quick picture, sent it to Jennifer and said “Bingo.” I also asked where she was, and I’d bring it to her. I called her and found out her and the 4 ladies she was vacationing with were at a local restaurant, so I was on my way. I met Jennifer and her emotional response was priceless.

Jennifer – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure and get it back where it belongs.

Jim

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Man’s Yellow Gold Wedding Band Lost in Oyster Bay, Found and Returned Murrell’s Inlet SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This is Part 2 of 2 which started when I was called and found another Yellow Gold Wedding band for Charlie and Renee. It just so happened that when I was there, I found out that Charlie’s brother-in-law, Cory had also lost his yellow gold wedding band. Cory had lost his ring 2 days prior on July 4th. The area Cory pointed out was about 30-40 yards wide with an east boundary line that started at the upper beach by the dunes. The south line was straight out from an excavator on an empty lot behind the dunes. The north boundary line was straight out from a Palm tree in the corner of an adjoining lot and the west boundary was out to waist deep water. I had lost the low tide for the day but was able to get out to about my waist which was not as deep as Cory’s waist deep. I was able to check the entire beach inside the suspected area, finding a lot of targets but no man’s wedding band. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much more I could do at that point, so I called it a day. In my mind, I had already decided that I’d be back the next day at low tide, but didn’t say anything at the time. Sadly, Cory and his wife Olivia were leaving the next morning, so I wouldn’t be able to have a surprise return should I find it. On the way home, I text Charlie and told him my plan and ask him to let the gate guard know the next morning. He agreed, so everything was in place, all I needed to do was find Cory’s ring.

I showed up the next morning and everything was going according to plan. Since I had cleared the entire area of the beach, I could focus on searching the water. I started an east/west grid search letting my scoop drag in the sand, about 5 feet up the beach as a reference line. I started at the excavator working north. The water was calm, other than when boats would speed by leaving a wake that got me. With each line, I was able to get out to chest deep, which was a little farther out than Cory’s waist. I was about 5 feet in front of my excavator landmark when I got a loud and solid signal. My screen showing the VDI (visual display indicator) was submerged at arm’s length so I couldn’t see what the numbers on the machine were telling me. I guided my scoop deep into the sand and behind the detector coil and hoped I could get this target in one try. I pulled the scoop out and checked the hole to see if I got it, I DID! I shook the sand and mud out of the scoop under water. I lifted the scoop up and amongst a\scoop full of shells; I saw Cory’s gold wedding band peeking about halfway out from under a shell. Boom!! I made my way out of the water and called Charlie. I said, “Found it!” He replied, “No way, I’ll meet you at your car!” When we met, he called his sister, Olivia and told her I had found it, I think her response was the same as Charlie’s, “No way!” Charlie and Olivia worked out the details on getting the ring back to Cory. I asked Olivia to please take a picture of them and send it to me once they get the ring. I also asked her if Cory was excited, she said “He’s already texting his friends.” Soon as I get the picture, I can post this story.

Today, Thursday July 10th, I got a great picture of Cory with his ring. This is what it’s all about – one Big Happy Smile!

Cory and Olivia – I’m so happy I could help find Cory’s ring. Wish you two only the best!

Jim

 

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Diamond and Zirconium Mother’s Ring Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Georgetown, SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Just before 7 p.m. on July 4th I got a text saying, “Hi, we lost a ring on the beach at Debordieu (a gated community north of Georgetown, SC). Do you still do metal detecting services?” I immediately called the number attached to the text and talked with Rick. I got a few more details and told Rick it’d take me a little over an hour but was on my way.

When I arrived, Rick had called the gate guard and let him know I was coming, so I had no problem getting through. I met Rick along the way, parked and he led me out to the spot on the beach. They had left the tent up to mark the area. I was told that Rick’s wife Candy had put the ring in her top and when she stood up to get out of the beach chair, the ring fell out. I looked at Rick and his son-in-law Josh, and said “What do you think, maybe a minute?” I turned on the machine, took about 3 steps and hit a solid 6 on the VDI (visual display indicator). Bingo! I took a small scoop of sand and gently shook it out of the scoop. Looked in the scoop and there was Candy’s beautiful ring. We drove back to Rick’s house, and I got to meet Candy who already had her ring back on. Very happy lady!!!

Josh – Thank you for finding me on Google.

Rick and Candy – Thank you for allowing me to help find your ring. Enjoy your vacation!

Jim

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