Pensacola Ringfinders Tag | The Ring Finders

A Good Sign in the Sand – Amanda’s Lost Ring Recovery

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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I love October. It still gets dark late enough that I can get out later in the afternoon without suffering from heat exhaustion. Plus, it’s been a while since I’ve done a recovery, so I was super excited when everything aligned perfectly and Amanda called about her lost ring.

She and her husband were down from near Indianapolis, exploring the area and thinking about moving here. They decided to spend some time on our beautiful beaches. While throwing a football at the water’s edge, Amanda slightly jammed her ring finger. Worried about swelling, she took off her ring and put it on her right hand. It wasn’t the best fit—but it seemed fine for the moment.

When she felt better, she went back down to the water’s edge and started tossing the football again. But when she sat back down in her chair later, she realized the ring was gone—and that sinking feeling of loss and panic hit hard.

She called me, and we went over the details. She wasn’t sure if it had flown into the Gulf or dropped into the sand. I told her it would be a few hours, but I’d bring multiple machines later that afternoon. Like a trooper, she stayed there all day watching and marking the area.

When I arrived, I started at the water’s edge, searching the drop-off zone first. No luck. I worked my way higher into the wet sand—still nothing. I debated whether to head into the water or stay dry a little longer, and I’m glad I chose the latter. After a few more passes, I got an awesome tone and number on my machine. I knew I had it.

I walked over to Amanda’s chair, shaking the sand gently from my scoop and watching her face. You could see the exact moment she realized her ring was back—tears started flowing as she slipped it back onto her finger. She told me she and her husband had the ring custom-made years ago and were afraid it might be a bad sign not to move to Pensacola or Orange Beach.

I told her maybe it was the opposite—a good sign that there are good people here who will help you when you need it. She smiled, wiped another tear, and agreed.

I’m so glad I could help. Welcome to the area, Amanda! If you ever need me again, I’ll be here. 😃

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Ring recovery I won’t forget- Pensacola Beach

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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Yesterday afternoon, as I was heading home from work, I got a call from Devon. The week before, I had been away for the holiday and had to turn down several people needing help, so it felt especially good to be available — and to have my gear in the car — when Devon called.

Devon had lost something incredibly meaningful over the weekend: his grandfather’s ring. It had been passed down to him to wear on his wedding day and had been in the family for 55 years. He lost it while throwing a football in the Gulf late at night, and he said one of the hardest things he’s ever done was call his grandfather to tell him it was gone.

Thankfully, a coworker who heard him talking about it at work knew what I do and suggested he give me a call.

We met at the beach, and Devon was clearly anxious as he explained where he’d been in the water. I started making passes with my detector, pulling out some trash at first — each time hoping it might be the ring. I reminded myself that God’s will would be done either way, and I settled in for the hunt.

Eventually, I pushed out deeper into the June Grass — and that’s when I heard it. The unmistakable tone of gold.

I scooped up a mix of shells and sand — and there it was: Devon’s heirloom ring.

He hadn’t seen me find it, so I walked over and joked that I was taking a break because there was just so much random metal out there. I held out the scoop casually and said, “Take a look at the stuff I’m finding.”

Devon leaned in… and then saw it. His expression shifted from worry to absolute joy. He grabbed my hand and pulled me in for a hug.

He called his wife right away with the good news — but the best moment came when he FaceTimed his grandfather. The shock and joy on his face said it all. He said, “I can’t believe it,”!

I was thrilled myself. Moments like this are exactly why I do what I do. I’m incredibly grateful I could help continue the story of this special ring.

Congratulations, Devon — and thank you, and your colleague, for trusting me.

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