Portland Maine Metal Detector Rental Tag | Page 2 of 4 | The Ring Finders

Palladium Wedding Ring, Lost In The Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Wednesday August 28th, I received a phone call from Melissa, at approximately 6:45pm. Her husband had lost his wedding ring, on GooseRocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine. I asked Mellisa if her husband had lost the wedding ring, in the water of in the dry sand. She told me he had lost it in the dry sand and the entire family has been searching for it, but couldn’t find it. She asked me if I would be able to come and search for it tonight. I told Melissa I would load my equipment and head right there. I also asked her to text me the address where we could meet. As I was loading two of my metal detectors, the Minelab CTX-3030, Minelab Manticore , pinpointer and sand scoop, Melissa texted me the address.

Cheryl and I immediately left our home, in Saco, Maine and started the approximately 20 minute drive to Goose Rocks Beach, Maine. We arrived promptly at 7:15pm and with a 7:24pm sunset, I needed to find the ring quickly, so I wouldn’t have to search in the dark. To make matters worse, I forgot my headlamp, that would make the night search much easier.
We were promptly met by Melissa, her husband Matt and their three young children, Abigail, Lucy and William. As Abigail and Lucy led the way to the area, where they had been spending a beautiful summer day, on the beach, I asked Matt, if he could tell me, what had happened, when he lost the ring. Matt told me that earlier, in the day, he had taken the ring off and put it on his beach chair, so he could go swimming. He then completely forgot about the ring and at the end of the day, the family packed everything up and went back to his father’s house, across the street. It was then that Matt realized he didn’t have his wedding ring on. The family went back and searched for the ring but were unable to find it. That is when Melissa called me.
We arrived at the area, where they all had spent the day. I could see the disturbed sand, where they had been searching. They had made an approximate 10-15 foot circle around the area the ring most likely would be in. If I didn’t find it inside the circle, I would have to search the route they had walked, back to Matt’s parents home. With the sun setting fast, I was hoping for a quick recovery.
I decided to start on the left side of the circle and perform a grid search, from the beach, down towards the water, turn around and go from the water side of the grid, back up the beach, towards the road. First pass I had no targets. Second pass, still no targets. Third pass a received a low tone, but I knew it would most likely be a piece of aluminum and it was. I handed the aluminum to Abigail and continued on. Just a few steps later, I received a nice low tone and a reading of 12-17 on my CTX-3030. Definitely a non-ferrous target but it could be gold or a pull tab. As I looked down at the sand, I could see just a small piece of, of a pull tab. I also gave that to Abigail and continued on. As I arrived at the end of the circle m I received another really nice, repeatable low tone and with a VDI reading of 12-24, I just knew this had to be Matt’s ring. Cheryl passed me my pinpointer and I located the target, in the sand, at a depth of about 3 inches. I put my hand into the sand and pulled out Matt’s wedding ring. I showed it to Abigail and the turned to Matt and Lucy and showed them the ring. It was now 7:25pm. Thankfully, I had found the ring within 10 minutes of arriving at Goose Rocks Beach and there was still a little daylight left.
Smiles were ear to ear and everyone was just ecstatic, that Matt had his wedding ring back. I’m just thankful that I am able to just up and leave, when the call comes in. It’s such a privilege to be able to help people like Melissa and Matt, in their time of need.

Engagement Ring Lost, When Thrown Out A Car Window, Found In Saco, Maine, Visually, While Searching With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Sunday morning, August 25th, 2024, I noticed I had a missed call and a voicemail, from just a few minutes earlier. The transcription is as follows

“Hello, my name is Wendy. I lost my engagement ring, literally in the most smallest area of yard and. My grandson has thrown it, and I can’t find it And I’m a wreck because of it and it was somebody gave me your information so I really hope that there’s some way you can help me My number is 207- ???-????  thank you…”

I immediately called Wendy back and she told me she had recently become engaged and while, in the car, her 4 1/2 year old grandson had asked, to see her new ring. As he was looking at the ring, he threw it out the window, of the moving vehicle. Wendy told me the area that the ring had been thrown out of the window, was a very small lawn area and some shrubbery. She also told me it was just 2-3 houses down, from her home. Wendy told me her address and I  knew the area well, as it is literally less than 1 1/2 miles, from my home, in Saco, Maine. I told Wendy I could be there in 5 minutes. After I hung up, I couldn’t help but think of the anguish, that I could hear, coming from Wendy’s voice. She was really upset and I needed to help her find her recently received Engagement Ring.

I arrived at Wendy’s home a few minutes later and was met by Wendy and Wendy’s mother. Wendy and her mother, walked me down the street, to the area, they thought the ring had been thrown into. It was a very small grass lawn area and some shrubbery, as Wendy had described. Wendy and her mother proceeded to tell me that they had searched the area, last night, with flashlights and again this morning, in daylight. No ring was to be found and they thought the ring would be found, in the shrubbery.

Wendy then told me that she had to leave and her mother would stay with me and continue to search. After Wendy left, I showed her mother how my detector works and demonstrated the detector, with a Gold test ring. I then told Wendy’s mother that I would search the small grass area first and either find the ring or eliminate that area as a possible hiding spot, for the ring. As I searched the area, Wendy’s mother kept visually searching, under the bushes, with my pinpointer, that I had shown her how to use. When I didn’t find the Engagement Ring, on the lawn, I focused my attention to the bushes. As I was searching the bushes, Wendy’s fiancée, Justin,  drove up and asked if we had any luck, in locating the ring. Unfortunately no, I replied. Justin also thought the ring would be somewhere, in the thick shrubbery and started looking in the bushes, pulling leaves out , etc. I then gave Justin the pinpointer, to see if he could reach some areas, that hadn’t been searched yet. After 5 – 10 minutes of searching the bushes, still no ring. I then started asking Justin some questions, such as , “Were you in the vehicle, when the ring was thrown, out the window? He replied “Yes”. Could the ring possibly have been thrown, but hit the inside of the vehicle and was still in the vehicle? Justin replied that Wendy had searched the vehicle and it wasn’t in the car. I then was thinking out loud, as I was asking questions and told them that if the ring had ended up on the sidewalk, any walker by, could have found it last night. I was told that they had searched the sidewalk, last night and this morning. I then said that the ring could have hit the curb and bounced, to another area. Justin and Wendy’s mother agreed and then I heard Justin loudly proclaim, “I see it, I got it”. As I turned around, I saw Justin walking out into the street and then he reached down and picked up Wendy’s Engagement Ring. The Engagement Ring had been in the street, all night and it wasn’t damaged. Amazing. As Justin was walking back towards us, he said that because of my questions, about the ring possibly hitting something and bouncing or ricocheting to another area, he decided to look, into the street. Just unbelievable.

Wendy’s mother had called Wendy, to report the good news and I could see Wendy hurriedly coming down the sidewalk. You could see the stress and strain of the situation immediately subsided and everyone was just so happy and relieved.

I may not have found the ring with my metal detector, but assisted the Team effort by asking questions and possibilities of what could have happened, one the ring, was thrown, by a 4 1/2 year old. It doesn’t matter, how the ring ended up in the street. Allen that matters is that as a group, we found the ring and Wendy will sleep much better tonight.

Prescription Ray Ban Glasses Lost In The Old Orchard Beach, Maine Ocean, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Monday evening, August 12th, I received the following text

“Hey my name is Meaghan ****, I lost my glasses at Old Orchard Beach. Would your metal detector be able to detect glasses?

I immediately replied back

“Hi Meaghan, So sorry to hear this. I am actually in Raymond, Maine at the moment and if I do search for the glasses, it would have to be, first thing in the morning. But a few questions

1) When did you lose them?

2) Where exactly , did you lose them?

3) I have detected glasses, in the past, that have metal on them. Do these have metal on them?

Also, just to be up front, I do not charge for my Time or my Metal Detecting Service. I do however, require a Transportation Fee of just $10.00 to Old Orchard Beach. This is to cover my gas, tolls, wear and tear, etc..”

Meaghan replied back with,

“I lost them today at 3pm in the water right next to the pier on the left side, they do have metal. I have a picture of my sunglasses that are the same exact frame as my regular prescription glasses. I live in New Hampshire and had to go back down for the night but I can come back up to OOB in the morning to meet up with you.

I replied with, “

Ok, in the water means I need to figure out the tides, etc.. if I get a good description of the area, I can go down by myself, tomorrow morning.

I also want to let you know that once glasses are in the water, sand and surf, they are very, very unlikely to be wearable again. I have been metal detecting for almost 25 years and the glasses that have been in the water, sand and surf will  have scratches on the lenses and possibly bent frames. Just so you know. Not trying to discourage you from trying to find them but just want you to be aware of the strong possibility of the glasses not being any good”.

Meaghan replied with, “I kind of figured they would be unwearable, when I first get them back, if they are found. I did get insurance on them so I can get the lenses and frame replaced, Unfortunately the insurance I got does not cover loss.”

I told Meaghan that the insurance changes everything and I would absolutely attempt to find them. Meaghan told me the prescription glasses were in excess of $600.00 to replace but only if she can get her missing glasses back, because they weren’t insured for “loss”. She has replacement insurance for accidental damage but only if she still has the glasses. I just need to find them and save Meaghan, over $600.00.

I sent Meaghan a photo of the Old Orchard Beach Pier area, in which I made square areas and numbered them. I then asked Meaghan if one of the numbered sections, were the area she had lost her glasses. She replied

“I was knee high in the water when a nice wave took me out and then another took me under, so I wasn’t too far in. I was not even 100 ft from the pier on the left side of it. And I would not expect anyone to go in the water if it’s not safe conditions. It was section 8.”

I told Meaghan that the heavy wave action and rip currents, may keep me from going out into the water but that would be determined, in the morning, when I arrived, at the beach to search. I told her my plan was to arrive, at the Pier area about 9:30am, for an 11:38am low tide. I would search the slope , down to the water and if the glasses were not found, on the slope, I would enter the water and continue to search.

I did arrive, just prior to 9:30am and the beach was fairly empty. I immediately got to the top of the slope and searched horizontally, to the water. I was searching the slope, from the OOB Pier, to Surf 6, back and forth, back and forth, finding nothing but a few coins. I had been keeping Meaghan updated with the search and had sent some photos. She agreed that I was in the correct area and that the glasses shouldn’t be too far out, in the water. I entered the water and continued the back and forth, horizontal search. I went up to Surf 6, turned around, came back to the pier, turned around and headed back towards Surf 6. Maybe 50-75 feet from the pier, I received a broken up signal, in my headphones. Loud, but not a sold tone and definitely broken up and scratchy. I have heard this signal before and thought this just may be Meaghan’s glasses. I was now, knee deep in the water and though the waves were much calmer than they have been recently, I still had to watch the rolling waves, so I wasn’t surprised and get knocked around. I plunged my scoop, into the water and sand, pulled it up and nothing. I rechecked the hole, I had just dug and the target was still there. I took another scoop of sand and I saw the glasses fall out of the scoop, as I pulled the scoop, out of the water. I reached down as quickly as I could and grabbed the glasses, on the sandy, ocean floor. I then walked out of the water and took a few photos and sent them to Meaghan. She replied

“Omg thank you so much! I have to get gas and I will be on my way to grab them!”

Meaghan, who lives in the Manchester, NH area, told me she would be arriving approximately 12:45pm. I told her that I would be available to meet her, just let me know when she was close. When Meaghan arrived at the Hannaford’s, in Saco, I returned her glasses and she was so excited and happy, to have them back. She said she was heading right to the Optometrist and getting a new pair of glasses. I am so happy to have helped Meaghan save in excess of $600.00. I absolutely love helping people with my Emergency Metal Detecting Services and now, I have a new addition, to my “Book of Smiles”.

As with all clients, I will honor their wishes of not have their photos, published on social media. Meaghan has asked me not to use her photo and I will honor her wish.

Tungsten Wedding Ring Lost In A Maine Lake, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Monday, July 15th, I received a phone call from Dan. Dan told me he had lost his Tungsten Wedding Ring, 2 days prior, on Saturday. His in-laws had rented a house, on Little Ossipee Lake, in North Waterboro, Maine. They had also rented a pontoon boat for the week. On Saturday, they decided to take the pontoon boat, to a very small island, approximately 1 mile, straight across the lake. The water around the island had very clean and clear water. The sandy and rocky bottom, ideal for swimming, for the kids. As the pontoon boat, pulled up to the island, Dan’s 3 year old son was trying to get out of the boat and into the water. Since the water was still too deep for the children, Dan struggled to get his three year old, away from the side of the boat. Once he had that situation under control, Dan jumped into the lake, to pull the pontoon boat, closer to the island and the shallow water, so he could anchor the boat, to the sand and rock bottom. Dan said the struggling with his son, made his ring move about on his finger and as he was swimming, to the shallow water, he could feel the ring, sliding down his finger. He reached down with his left hand and was able to touch the bottom, but it was to late, the ring was gone. Dan had his father in-law throw him a pair of goggles and Dan scoured the bottom, for his ring, to no avail.

After having no luck, others tried find his wedding ring over the next few days. Snorkeling, moving rocks and sand, all proved to be fruitless. It was at this point, Dan found me online and called me. Since it was Monday, mid morning and I was on the road, we made plans to meet up, the next day, at 11:00am, at the lake house. We would take the pontoon boat, over to the island and search for his ring, with my waterproof Minelab Excalibur ll metal detector. His in-laws only had access to the lake house and pontoon boat, until Thursday morning. We had to find the ring today!!!

Cheryl and I arrived early at 10:30am and Dan a few minutes later. Dan’s father in-law, immediately started up the boat and we headed to the island. It only took about 10-12 minutes to arrive, at the island and Dan, like he did on Saturday, jumped out of the boat and secured the anchor. I then jumped in and Cheryl passed me my metal detector and scoop. As Dan walked me towards the area, he thought his ring would be in, I was swinging and searching, with the detector. No targets on the walk over. Once at the spot, I almost immediately received a signal, but it did not sound, like tungsten. I need to check it out anyways, just to be sure. It turned out to be a beer bottle cap. I resumed swinging and two steps later, a nice loud low tone, the sound I was hoping for. Looking down, into the very clear water, provided no visual indication as what it may be. I then bent over, as far as I could and my face, ended up in the lake. I brought the hand held scoop up and no ring, but lots of small rocks. I then took out my pinpointer and located the target. I held the pinpointer on the target and had Dan check the target out, with his goggles. He couldn’t see the ring but he then scooped up the area, where I held the pinpointer. Nothing but more rocks. I tried relocating the target, but it had moved, on Dan’s last attempt, to scoop it up. Once, relocated, we both attempted to scoop it up and nothing but rocks. I relocated it once again and this time, Dan disappeared below the surface, with the scoop and came up with a good size scoop of rocks. Would the ring be in there? I could no longer find the target, on the bottom of the lake. Whatever it is, it’s in the scoop. As Dan was removing the rocks, I saw a very big smile, come across his face. I looked into the scoop and Dan was pulling out his ring. We had found it, in about 2 minutes but it took us another 7-8 minutes to get it off the bottom of the lake.
After loading all the detecting equipment, back up on the boat, Dan told us he hadn’t bought a new ring yet and was extremely happy to be able to tell his wife, that he wouldn’t need a new ring after all. It was a great ride back to the lake house. The entire trip, from leaving the dock, searching and recovering the ring and docking, at the lake house took a total of, 36:44. Less than 40 minutes, really surprised me. A beautiful day for a boat ride, in Maine and it ended with another client, in my “Book of Smiles”.

Later, in the afternoon, I received the following text, from Dan,

“Dennis, I am truly the thankful one! Honestly I couldn’t have imagined a better experience or outcome for my lost ring resolution. Would easily and without a doubt recommend your expertise to others. Appreciative is an understatement and I cannot thank you enough”.

I absolutely love being able to help people out, like Dan, in their time of need. It’s the best feeling in the world ❤️🙏

Platinum Engagement and Wedding Ring, Lost In Gorham, Maine Backyard, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Return and Recovery #47

On Saturday, July 13th, I had just returned from Bridgton, Maine, after recovering a ring, in the water. As I was writing the story about that recovery and return, I saw a text message, come in, at 2:26pm. It read

“Hi Dennis, my name is Kelly. I’m located in Gorham, ME. I lost my wedding ring in my backyard last night. Been searching for hours with no luck. What would your schedule look like for a search”?

I immediately called Kelly and told her I was available right now. Kelly went on to tell me that she and her family were out on the back patio and at one point, she was tossing a ball back and forth, with one of her children. Later, she realized her ring was missing. They searched the grass area, where they were tossing the ball, on their hands and knees. No luck. Then, this morning, they rented a metal detector and searched the area. Again, no luck. Kelly also told me that her ring is actually her Engagement Ring and her Wedding Ring and she had them joined together, by a jeweler, to make this just one ring.

Cheryl and I got my equipment loaded back up and headed to Kelly’s home. We arrived at 3:30pm and Kelly was there waiting for us. She took us out back and showed us the backyard and where she was standing, while throwing the ball. We all agreed that this was the most likely scenario, to losing the ring, but not the only scenario. I decided to start searching , appropriately mid yard and perform a grid search, down to the tall overgrown area, near the woods. I would then turn around, and head back towards the house. I would repeat this grid search, until I found the ring or eliminated that half of the yard. I would then try the other half of the yard. If I didn’t find it there, I would then move further from the house, into the overgrown area and then the wooded area.

I started my first sweep of the area and the only target I received was something in the ground, most likely a sprinkler head, for their irritation system. Once I got to the overgrown area, I turned around and headed back towards the house. Still nothing. I took a 1/2 step to my right and headed back towards the overgrown area and woods. I took about 2 steps towards those areas and I received a nice loud low tone and a reading of 12-07 on my VDI screen. I looked into the fairly tall grass but couldn’t see anything. I turned to Kelly and told her, “I am pretty sure this will be your ring”. I bent over, started moving the grass around and saw a bright shiny ring. I had Kelly come over and told her the ring is right there. She still couldn’t see it, because the ring had gotten, all the way down, to the dirt and was totally covered by the tall grass. I reached down, picked it up and you could just see and feel the relief, come over Kelly’s face. She was extremely thankful and continued to thank us, up until we left. Kelly did tell us that the ring, is loose on her finger and she will be addressing that issue, very soon.

Total search time was approximately 5 minutes and it was now close to 4:00pm. My second recovery and return of the day and I was ready to get home, cool off and relax. It’s been a long day, but very fruitful one and I am so fortunate, to be able to help all these people.

Gold and Platinum Wedding Ring Lost In The Old Orchard Beach, Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Recovery and Return #45

As I was driving, my phone rang. I then saw a voicemail, had been left. The transcription of the voicemail was as follows

“Hello Mr. Boothby my name is William B****** . I am in vacation luxury beach . I just lost my ring, my wedding ring . I did it, in front of the Seawatch Condominiums, at high tide. Right around the junction where the water was just highest, near the dry sand so not in the water. It was right in front of the Pink building. I am leaving tomorrow back to Quebec City and I am leaving at 9 AM. So, if you ever have an opportunity, to come check it out and I don’t know how The Ring Finders of Maine thing works. Call me back 5**-***-****. It would be really really appreciated so please call me back thank you . My name is William B****** thank you bye…”

The voicemail had been left at 4:48pm and I immediately called him back. He and his wife were at the beach, but couldn’t find the Wedding Ring. I told William that I could be there, at approximately 6:30pm. I needed to get home, get my metal detecting gear and drive to Old Orchard Beach. I also told William that I do not charge, for my time or my Emergency Metal Detecting Service. I do require a $10.00 Transportation Fee, to cover my gas, tolls and wear and tear, etc.. William readily agreed to that.

Once I arrived home, I called William and told him I would be there within a 1/2 hour. William and his wife, would meet me, at the end of Cleaves St., Between The Seawatch Condominium and the Sandpiper Beachfront Motel.

If you know anything about Old Orchard Beach, Maine, you know that parking, is very difficult, to say the least. My wife often drives me down, drops me off and will return, to pick me up later. I can’t tell you how much this helps me and she is an absolute angel, to support me, in this Ring Finder endeavor. So, a BIG shout out to my beautiful wife, Cheryl ❤️. She’s a real trooper, for putting up with me.

Once I arrived, I was met by William and he immediately took me down to the area, where he “Thinks” he lost his ring. When asked, he told me the Wedding Ring was Gold and Platinum and he just got married, a month ago. Wow, another newlywed. Plus, they were leaving, in the morning, going home to Quebec City. I just had to find it for them.

His wife Gabrielle was standing in the location , of where they hoped the ring would be. William and Gabrielle explained that they had been, at the beach, most of the day. They had taken a few walks, along the beach, swam in the ocean and when the tide came in, they were throwing a football around, at the high tide line and the dry sand. It was at this point, late in the day, that William noticed his ring was missing. Could he have lost it, in the water, on one of their walks or when he throwing the football? Both William and Gabrielle thought and were hoping it would be in the dry sand, where they were throwing the football.

William then showed me where he and Gabrielle were standing, while throwing the football. Approximately 50 feet separated the two of them. I then asked William if he was left or right handed. He is left handed, meaning the ring could have come off, and flown towards the water, at high tide. I decided to perform a grid, starting where William was standing, to approximately 5-10 feet past where Gabrielle was standing. I would also start approximately 5-10 feet to the left, of where William was standing, in case the ring flew off, towards the water, at high tide. I also want to search this area of the dry sand, because the beach cleaning machine, rakes the beach up and removes all the trash, from the beach. If I didn’t find the ring, before the beach was cleaned, the ring could be lost forever, in a landfill somewhere.
On my first pass, towards Gabrielle’s area, absolutely nothing. I then pivoted 1/2 step to my right, turned around and started back towards William. Approximately 5 feet, from where William had been standing, while throwing the football, I heard a very nice low tone, through my headphones, of my metal detector. I then looked at my VDI screen and saw a reading of 12-23. A very good sign, and exactly the reading , I would expect, for a Gold and Platinum Wedding Ring. I then turned around at looked at both William and Gabrielle and told them, “I think this is your ring”. I was that confident. William and Gabrielle walked towards me, as I plunged my pinpointer, into the sand. I immediately found the target, pulled a handful of sand up and there was a Gold and Platinum wedding ring. I had found his ring, right where they thought it might be and found in approximately 2 minutes.

They were both smiling , from ear to ear and were just stunned, with joy and disbelief I had found his ring. William put the ring, back on his finger, as quickly as he could. Here’s wishing many, many years of marital bliss to this young couple. I am just so happy to have been a part of getting this ring back to him.

Platinum Engagement Ring Lost In The Beach Sand, Found With A Metal Detector, In Kennebunkport, Maine

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Wednesday July 3rd, Leah and Greg were enjoying a beautiful summer day, on Goose Rocks Beach, in Kennebunkport, Maine, with Family and Friends. Leah took her Platinum Engagement Ring off, to apply suntan lotion. When Leah took her ring off, she tucked it into her bathing suit, for safekeeping.
A short time later, Leah realized she didn’t have her ring on and when she checked her bathing suit, it was missing.
Since Leah, Greg and everyone else, in the beach party hadn’t moved around the beach, a lot, they knew the ring must be in an area of 10’ X 10’, or so. They all started searching the sand, by running and sifting the sand, through their fingers. After they realized that this was fruitless, and worried they may be moving the ring further from the area or pushing the ring deeper into the sand, they stopped searching.
It was at this point that I received a text, from Erin. Erin is a friend of Leah and Greg and her text said

“We’ve lost a ring at Rox Beach. Are you guys nearby”?

The phone number had a 617 prefix, telling me it was from Massachusetts. I did not know of any area beach, by the name of Rox. I immediately texted back and asked where the beach was located and Erin, immediately texted back “

“Goose rock. Sorry”.

I am very familiar with Goose Rocks Beach, as it only 12 mile from my home. I asked her if the ring was lost, in the water or on the beach. She replied

“On the beach, we know the general vicinity”.

We then made plans to meet, at GRB and I loaded my equipment up and arrived at the beach about 20-25 minutes later. Being retired is a definite advantage to getting to an Emergency situation. I can usually reach any southern Maine beach, in 30 minutes or less.
I was met by Erin, Leah and Greg, at the agreed upon location. They immediately took me down to the area, on the beach, they thought the ring would be in. The area had been cleared out of all the chairs and towels. I turned the detector on and started searching. Maybe 30 to 45 seconds later, I received my 1st signal. A 12-09 on my Minelab CTX-3030. The first number tells me it is most definitely, a non-ferrous item and the second number tells me it is a low conductivity metal. A perfect signal, for gold or platinum. Unfortunately, aluminum foil, brass and a few other metals, will also ring up in this range. The signal got my attention, But what would it be? I then pulled out my pinpointer and searched the very fine sand, until I located the signal. I put my hand, into the sand and pulled it up. No target, in that handful of sand. Placed my hand, back into the small hole and went a few inches deeper. As I was pulling the sand out, I felt and saw a big beautiful Diamond and silver colored ring. I had found Leah’s Ring and in less than 45 seconds . As everyone realized the ring had been found, I heard Leah, Greg and the rest of their group , giving me applause, genuinely thanking me and voices all around, telling me what a great job, I had just done. I almost started to blush, as everyone in the area started looking over at us. But it made me feel so happy that everyone took the opportunity to thank me like that. It’s what keeps driving me to help everyone. A truly amazing moment for me and it never, ever, gets old.
Leah and Greg were just ecstatic with joy and happiness, with smiles all around. As Leah and Greg, walked me back to my vehicle they never stopped thanking me. They were just so appreciative, that I would drop everything and come down to help them. Their constant appreciative talk, kept me on cloud 9 and will keep me there, for quite awhile. Now they can start enjoying their vacation again. I just love being able to help people out in their time of need.
I later texted Erin back, to thank her, for reaching out to me and placing her confidence, in me, to go out and search for Leah’s ring. I then asked her how she had found out, about The Ring Finders of Maine’s Emergency Metal Detecting Service. Erin told me that she had performed a Google search and my name popped up at the top. She then texted me and the rest is history, as they say.
If you ever need my Emergency Metal Detecting Services, please follow my Facebook Page, The Ring Finders of Maine. If you do this, you will not have to perform a Google search. You will be able to quickly find me with your Facebook account and you will also be able to contact me, directly from my Facebook Page. That’s right, you can call me, directly from my Facebook Page. How easy is that? — in Goose Rocks Beach, Maine.

18K Gold Cartier Ring Lost In The Ocean, In Scarborough Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Saturday, June 21st, 2024, I had been searching for a lost Silver Chain and Religious Cross, in the Camp Ellis beach area, of Saco, Maine. I had arrived there at 4:45am, to take advantage of the low tide. At approximately 7:30am, I was still searching, when I felt my phone vibrate, signaling a text message had come in. The message said

“Hi there, I’m interested in your ring finding service. I lost a ring yesterday at Scarborough Beach State Park”.

I immediately called the number back and found myself talking to Julie. Julie explained that she and her husband, Drew, had gone to Scarborough Beach State Park, in Scarborough, Maine, to beat the heat. The previous days temperature, was in the mid 90’s and humid. Julie explained that she was wearing her 18K Cartier Ring, when they arrived and noticed it was missing, while swimming, in the ocean, just before they left at 1:30pm. I told Julie that I would be willing to search for her Cartier Ring, but it would need to be when the tide was near the same, as it was, when she noticed it missing. I told Julie, I would call her, when I arrived home, from the chain and cross search. I needed to figure out the best time to conduct my search, with the tides, working in my favor.

When I arrived home, I called Julie again and the tides would work well, if I started my search, between 1:30pm and 2:00pm. Julie agreed to meet me at Scarborough Beach State Park, at 1:30pm and show me the location where she and Drew, had spent the day, staying cool, by swimming, in the ocean. Julie and Drew, showed me where they had placed their towels, on the beach. They also told me that they spent a lot of time, in the ocean, swimming, way out and well over their heads. They told me that they did not leave the area, of their towels, other than to go swimming. The Cartier Ring, had to be out there, somewhere under the water and I will search the exposed wet sand, as the ocean receded, until, hopefully, the ring was no longer, under the ocean water.

With the high tide, now 2 hours behind us, this was approximately the same tide timeline, that Julie noticed her ring, was missing. The search would need to be horizontal, to the water and I would start at the bottom of the slope, leading to the wet sand, from where their towels were. What we didn’t know was at what point did Julie’s ring, slip off of her finger? Was it when the tide, was closer to the shore? Did it slip off her finger, when the tide was further out? Don’t know and that is why I need to methodically search the entire area. She and Drew, told me that they had swum way out, into the ocean, a few different times, during their day at the beach. Could it have been lost out to far, for me to recover? If the wet sand wasn’t going to be exposed, by the low tide, there was no way, that I could go 30, 40 or even 50 feet, out into the ocean and search for her ring. The water was just going to be to deep.

As I searched, I wasn’t finding many targets. A few pieces of aluminum, bottle caps and one penny. I was finding more ferrous targets, than non ferrous items, but I wasn’t going to dig the ferrous items. Time was to precious and I needed to search the entire low tide area. I then received a signal that got my heart to jump. A nice low tone and VDI reading, of 12-23. Definitely within the gold range. After digging the hole, I saw a gold ring, with the infinity symbol. I motioned to Julie and her husband, to come down, from where they were watching me from. When they arrived, I asked Julie to describe her ring, exactly. She told me it was a band, with small circles, all around the outside of the band. This was not her ring and Julie went back up to the towel area, to wait for me to find her ring. Over the next hour or so, nothing of any substance, was found. Julie and Drew, came down to see me and tell me that they had to leave and get back home, to Auburn, Maine. Auburn is approximately a 45 minute drive, North of Scarborough. Julie looked very sad and disappointed. She asked if I could contact her, if I find her ring. Of course I will.

After they left, I picked up, right where I left off and there was approximately 2 hours to go, before low tide. I need to find this ring, but time and real estate, was running out. As I worked my way further and further away from the shore, I still wasn’t getting many signals, as I caught up to the receding waters. Just before 4:30pm and nearly 3 hours, into the search, I heard the unmistakable low tone, that I had been hoping to hear. The VDI was reading 12-20, a fantastic reading and one that got me smiling. I took a scoop of sand threw it up onto the wet sand, away from the water. I still couldn’t see the target so I used my pinpointer to search the pile of wet sand. I located the target and when I brushed the sand away, I could see a beautiful gold ring. As soon as I saw the circles, on the side of the band, I knew I had found Julie’s Cartier Ring. A look inside the ring showed the Cartier name and Au 750. Definitely 18K and definitely Julie’s ring. I was ecstatic and immediately took a few photos and sent a text, to Julie, telling her, “Got It”, along with a photo of the ring. Such a great feeling, when I am able to send a text like that. When I didn’t hear back, from Julie, after a few minutes, I called her and she told me her phone was almost dead and hadn’t received the message yet. She called me back on her Drew’s phone and she was extremely excited and happy to hear the news, that her beautiful Cartier Ring would soon be back on her finger. I then sent some photos, to Drew’s phone. I immediately received a response and she said
“Oh my goodness. That’s it. Thank you!!!”

She also sent me another text a little while later saying

“I still can’t believe it!!! I’ve been telling everyone. I will call you at 7!☺️☺️☺️”

She did call me and we made a plan to meet up, in the morning, to return her ring.

We met up at the Saco Hannaford and when I saw Julie, it was a smile from ear to ear and I don’t think her feet were touching the ground. She was extremely happy to have her ring back, after approximately, 27 hours, under the water and sand. Julie and Drew couldn’t have been any happier and I just love knowing that the 18K Cartier Ring was now back, with the rightful owner. What a great feeling, knowing I could help her, in her time of need. Since Julie prefers not to have her photo, on social media, I have respected her wishes and included only a photo of me.

14K Gold Pendants, Gifted By Great Grandmother Lost In Tall Grass, in Westbrook, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Recovery and Return’s #38 & 39

On Friday Night, June 14th, I received a text at approximately 7:40pm. It said

“My daughter was playing outside and lost her gold cross and a small gold basketball off her necklace I’m located in Westbrook, Maine what do you charge thanks Jon”

I replied,

“Hi Jon, sorry to hear this.

“I do not charge for my time or for my service. I do require a $25.00 Transportation Fee, to cover my gas, tolls, wear and tear, etc.

Where did she lose it? Your property? Private property? Public property?”

Jon then proceeded to tell me

“Yes my property we have a picture of her with it on 5 mins before she went inside changed her shirt and the pendants are gone. She said-early in the day chain got caught on her bike and didn’t think anything of it. The chain and cross were given to her when her great grandmother died.”

With it now being almost 8:00pm and raining slightly, I told Jon I could be there 1st thing in the morning, after charging my detectors, overnight. Jon and I agreed to meet in the morning and start searching.

I arrived at Jon’s home, in Westbrook, Maine at 7:15am and was promptly met by Jon and his daughter, Jaelyn. Jaelyn told me that she was next to the house, next door and ran home and went in the front door. A total distance of approximately 75+- feet. Jon and Jaelyn had performed a visual search but it was useless. The grass was fairly tall and something as small as the pendants would easily fall out of sight, into the tall grass. I asked Jaelyn where the picture of her, with the pendants, still on the necklace was taken. Jaelyn took me to the spot and told me that as soon as the picture was taken, she ran home. I decided to start the search there and asked Jaelyn to walk the same path, as she had run the previous night and I would follow her, very slowly, with my Minelab CTX-3030, with a very small 6 inch sniper coil.
About 10 minutes into the search, I received a very, very, very, low sounding chirping noise. I looked into the deep grass, but couldn’t see anything. I removed my handheld pinpointer and stuck it into the deep grass and received a nice loud signal. Pushing the grass aside, I saw the top of the 14K Gold Cross, Thank God! Jon and Jaelyn couldn’t believe it and Jon said that the cross, is the more important pendant. The cross had been given to her, after her Great Grandmother had passed away.

Now, to find the very small 14K Gold Basketball Pendant. I finished searching the path that Jaelyn had taken and no basketball pendant. We all talked about the possibility of the pendant, flying off her, as she ran and into the hedges, in the front of the house. I was also thinking the basketball pendant was smaller than the cross and decided to search the path again. This time, I would search with only the hand held pinpointer, by bending over for the length of the search. Still no basketball pendant. Did it bounce, into the hedges? Out towards the street? Don’t know, so I decided to grid search the entire lawn. I started at the lawn, near the front door she had gone in. No luck. I then moved to the lawn in front of the house and started searching there. As I came up to the light post, I received a nice strong signal, about 2-4 inches, from the light post. Could I be picking up some metal associated, with the post and wires below? I looked closely, into the grass but still didn’t see anything. As I put my pinpointer, into the grass, it received a signal and as I moved the grass with the pinpointer, I could barely make out something, gold in color. As I reached down and grabbed the item, I could see a very small Gold Basketball. I finally found it, after just under 2 hours of searching. The pendant was just a few feet, off of the path that Jaelyn had run , the previous night.

I then texted Jon and told him I had found the pendant. A few minutes later, Jon and Jaelyn came outside and I asked them if they could see the pendant, in the grass. They could not see it and I passed my coil over the pendant and showed them where it was. The pendant would never have been found, with a visual search.

Jaelyn and Jon told me they didn’t think I would find either pendant , but now they were both smiling ear to ear. Jon had told me that the previous night, Jaelyn was inconsolable and just crying and crying, because she had lost her Great Grandmother’s Gold Cross. Jaelyn is now feeling much better, knowing she has both pendants again. I am so grateful that I am able to reunite people with their extremely sentimental items.

Lost Gold Ring Found And Returned, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

I was searching for a Gold Ring, in Ocean Park, Maine, on Saturday, June 8th. The ring had been lost, a full week earlier, but my client wasn’t aware of my services, until she read about a recovery and return, the night before, in Old Orchard Beach Maine, by me, The Ring Finders of Maine. A gold ring, lost for a week, on the beach, is not impossible to recover, just very difficult. Anything could have happened, including, she was mistaken about where the ring was lost, tides have come and gone or even another detectorist, could have found it.

Anyways, As I was searching, I felt my phone vibrate, in my pocket. I saw I had a voicemail, from an out of state phone number. I read the transcript and it said

“Hey Dennis , how do you do. My name is Tom. We are here for a few days and the wifey thinks she lost her ring where she is sitting, on the beach. Could you please give me a call at your convenience. I appreciate it. Call 4 1 3-***-****, Thank you “

I immediately called Tom back and he explained to me that his wife were staying at The Royal Anchor Beach Resort, an ocean front resort , near the Town of Scarborough, Maine and Pine Point Beach, Maine. The Royal Anchor’s front desk, gave Tom my business card and encouraged him to call me. Tom told me that his wife had taken her ring off, to apply lotion. A little bit later, she realized she didn’t have her ring anymore and since, she hadn’t left the area, the ring should be fairly close to their beach chairs.

I told Tom I would be happy to help but would be approximately 1 1/2 hours, before I finished my search in Ocean Park. Tom replied, no problem, we are just sitting on the beach, for the afternoon and aren’t going anywhere. I told him I would call him, as I was leaving Ocean Park and would only take me a few minutes to get there, as I was only 3-4 miles from The Royal Anchor.

1 1/2 hours later, I finished up my 1st search, unsuccessfully and called Tom to let him know I would be there, in 5-10 minutes. Tom told me they were still sitting on the beach and they had the only 2 red beach chairs, there.

When I arrived, at The Royal Anchor, I saw Tom and his wife and the two red beach chairs. I introduced myself to Tom and his wife, Nancy. Nancy explained what had happened and it was exactly as what Tom had told me. Nancy hadn’t gone anywhere, since the ring had gone missing and was sure, it would be in an area around the chairs. Tom and Nancy had searched the sand themselves but could not locate the ring. Nancy also told me that the ring was Yellow Gold, with 3 Blue stones, set in it. Nancy then told my wife and I that the ring was a 50th Birthday present, from her father and that yesterday, June 7th, was her Birthday. Yikes, no pressure on me now. I just had to find her very sentimental ring.

I had Tom and Nancy, move the metal chairs back a little bit, so they wouldn’t interfere, with my detector. Once the chairs were out of the way, I started passing my detector’s coil, over the area. Within 10-15 seconds, I received the unmistakable sound of gold. I was so confident of this that I told Nancy and Tom that this would be their last lost ring. I plunged my pinpointer, into the soft dry sand and found the target. Put my hand, into the sand and nothing. Put my hand in a little deeper, and I could feel the round ring, pulled it out, saw the Yellow Gold and 3 Blue Stones and Told Nancy, “I got your ring “. She and Tom were elated and Tom even said something to the effect of “what took you so long. It took you like 10 seconds “ and we all laughed. Tom also stated that he couldn’t believe how deep the ring had already become and that they would never have found it that deep. The ring had worked its way down to the 5 inch area, in just a few hours. This most likely happened because the ring was heavy, the sand was very dry and while searching for the ring, Tom and Nancy, may have pushed it a little deeper. So thankful that a ring given to Nancy, by her father, as a 50th Birthday present, is now back on her finger, the day after her birthday. I just absolutely love do this.

The staff of The Royal Anchor cheered for me, after the ring was found and thanked me for coming and helping their guests. I also left more of my cards with them and they assured me, they would definitely call me when my service is needed, in the future.