Gold Diamond Hoop Earring Lost In The Sand, Found With A Metal Detector In Old Orchard Beach, Maine
🚨 LOST GOLD & DIAMOND EARRING IN THE SAND! 🚨
I received a frantic text on Tuesday evening at 5:50 PM.
“Hello. I’m staying at the ‘On The Beach Motel’ in Old Orchard. I lost a gold hoop diamond earring… My husband gave them to me. He passed away two years ago, so this is more upsetting than it may have been otherwise. Is this something you can try to help with?” 💔
I immediately replied:
“Hi, this is Dennis from The Ring Finders of Maine. I’m on the road but will be back in the area around 6:30 PM.
Do you still have the matching earring for a photo? Small gold earrings are very difficult to find.
Do you have a specific area on the beach to search, or do you think it’s in the water?”
She texted back:
“I did step into the water. We are out getting dinner right now, but we had a beach setup and I know exactly where it was.”
⏱️ The Race Against Time
I texted back right away:
“Ok, I want to search tonight as soon as you get back. My main concern is that another detectorist might find it, or the beach-cleaning machine will scoop it up at 5:00 AM. If it gets scooped by the machine, it will be gone forever.
”Claire later told me that the incredible office staff at the motel were the ones who told her to call me. 🙏
😢 An Emotional Plea
Through tears, Claire explained to Cheryl and me that this earring was a precious gift from her husband, who passed away two years ago.
She told us these earrings weren’t just jewelry; in a sense, they were her husband. She was physically sick not knowing where it was. 💔
Her family had already torn the hotel room and the car apart. They even searched the dry sand by hand. Nothing. It had to be on the beach.
My primary mission tonight was the dry sand. We had to clear the area before the 5:00 AM beach cleaner arrived.
Alright, let’s go find this earring! 🔎🏖️🎯
The Search Begins
Claire took us down to the exact spot where her family had set up for the day. She knew the area perfectly.
Once the boundaries were set, I started grid searching parallel to the water, moving from south to north.
Claire continued searching the dry sand by eye, constantly staring out at the ocean waves, praying it wasn’t out in the deep water.
At the end of my first pass, I only found a crusty old dime.
🪙✨ A Shocking Low Tone
I turned around and headed south, keeping an eye on Claire as she watched the waves.
Suddenly, a loud, low tone blasted through my headphones! 🎧J
Just what I was hoping to hear.
The Target Identification (TID) read a solid 07. That is exactly in the small gold range.I carefully brushed the sand away, and there it was: the glittering gold earring! ✨
🎬 The Setup & Surprise
Claire hadn’t noticed me finding the earring because she was still looking out toward the ocean.
I glanced over at Cheryl and mouthed, « I’ve got it, get video! » 🤫
With Cheryl’s video rolling, I pretended to continue searching as I walked closer to Claire. »
Can you point to exactly where you were standing in the water? »
I asked her.
As she turned toward the ocean and pointed, I held the earring up right in front of me, waiting for her to turn back around.
😭 The Floodgates Open
It worked perfectly!
When Claire turned back to face me, she saw her beloved earring dangling right in front of her. The floodgates completely opened.😭❤️
She walked slowly toward me, crying tears of pure happiness and relief.
As I placed the earring back into her hand, she gasped, « I can’t believe it. I really can’t believe you found it. »
She wrapped me in a massive hug, the happy tears still rolling down her face.
What an emotional return! She finally had both of her precious earrings back together. 👩❤️👨
Just then, her son Mickey walked onto the beach.
Claire proudly yelled to him, « He found it! Can you believe it?!
« Mickey broke into a huge smile and said, « You’ve got to be kidding me! »
😄Claire then admitted to me, « I almost didn’t call you. I thought it was gone forever. » Thankfully, she did!
🏆 The Best Job in the World
As Cheryl and I walked off the beach, Claire was proudly telling everyone around her that she got her earring back. She had the biggest smile on her face.
I truly have the best job in the world. I love my job!
Remember: “If it matters to you, it matters to us!” 🤝✨
📞 LOST SOMETHING VALUABLE IN MAINE? Don’t wait! Time is of the essence before the tides or beach cleaners get to it.
👉 Call or Text Dennis: (207) 423-3027
🔒 A Note on Client Privacy:Claire requested not to use photos or videos of herself on social media, and I always completely honor my clients’ wishes. Her comfort and trust mean everything to me. However, her son Mickey happily agreed to pose with the found earring for this post! (See photo below 👇)
