I saw a post on the Daytona Dig & Find Metal Detecting Club Facebook page. A woman had lost a heavy gold tennis bracelet set with diamonds in the shallow water in front of the Hawaiian Inn. Several detectorists had already searched for it, but no one had been able to find it. The owner, Jill, had lost it the day before.
I called Lisa, (Jill’s friend since she was 3) who had made the post, to get more details. She told me they had been set up in front of the Hawaiian Inn, roughly in line with the indoor pool, and that the bracelet had come off while her friend, Jill, was in the water. She also shared that the bracelet had been a gift from Jill’s mother, who had passed away the previous year. That made the search about far more than finding an expensive piece of jewelry—it was about recovering a priceless reminder of someone deeply loved. I told Lisa I would head down the following afternoon and asked if she could meet me there. She gladly agreed.
The next day, I arrived about an hour before low tide. As I drove, I prayed that God would guide me to the bracelet.
I started by carefully gridding the dry sand, working back and forth across the area. The only things I found were a few scattered coins. It was time to head into the water.
Lisa arrived a short time later and pointed out several places where they had spent time the previous day. She even showed me a photo of Jill wearing the beautiful bracelet. I searched the shallow water where they had entered the ocean and then worked out to knee-deep water, covering every likely spot. Still nothing.
Rather than give up, I expanded my search farther south. Then it happened.
A solid, low tone rang through my headphones—the exact sound I had been hoping to hear. I scooped up the target and, as the sand washed away, a dazzling flash of gold sparkled in the sunlight. Resting in my scoop was the beautiful diamond tennis bracelet.
I carried it over to Lisa, who immediately identified it. She was absolutely thrilled. Knowing the bracelet had belonged to Jill’s late mother made the moment even more meaningful. Several people who had been watching the search congratulated me as the treasured family keepsake was reunited with its owner.
Another cherished memory had been restored. Praise the Lord. God is good.
Lost something important? Maybe I can help. I’m Ed Duffey, a Central Florida metal detecting specialist focused on recovering lost items. Whether it’s a ring, jewelry, keys, or even a phone, I search beaches, parks, yards, and shallow water—just about anywhere it might be hiding.
If it’s metal and it’s lost, there’s a good chance I can find it.
757-419-0299
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