Nantucket's sand could not hide a ring for long before it was Found and Returned.

Rain, thunder, lightening and other commitments started Friday off as a non-detecting day. But for an out of state phone call … A request for help in finding a very sentimental engagement ring which belonged to the caller’s mother had been lost in the ocean. The loss occurred at the base of the Steps Beach, an hour ferry ride away. Having a day to make reservations, pack a detecting bag, complete what I had to do, get a good nights rest, and to think about how the ring I was going to search for was lost. Every ring has a story and this one was no exception.

Jeff had worn his mother’s rings since her passing, I could not let Jeff down. It was Jeff’s youngest son who had unintentionally pulled on the necklace holding the two precious rings which came apart and sent the rings flying. The wedding band was found in seconds, before the moving sand covered it unlike the engagement ring that had disappeared out of sight. Something more than hands sifting the sand was needed. A pool skimmer net was tried next without success in snagging the ring from its sandy resting place be for I arrived.

Jeff’s 9 year old son had a detector but had no luck in using it on the wet sand. With this information I knew I would be able to show and tell about some of my finds and pass some detecting techniques onto a young, budding detectorist.

In just under an hour of searching starting at Google Maps pinned point which was not as accurate as we would have liked. GPS satellite co-ordinates are only good to about a 15 foot radius and the pin showed the ring should be in the water. I started in the water working parallel to the shore, up the face of the beach revealed only a few targets of melted aluminum and pull tabs. Not a single coin or the ring. I then started searching 90 degrees to my previous paths.

While digging a promising target I overheard Jeff talking with another beach goer about how he had lost his wedding band several years ago, rented a detector and found his own ring. “There was hope, the guy detecting (me) has a good chance of finding the lost ring.” He was trying to keep Jeff’s spirits up.

Little did they know the promising target was THE RING and it was in my scoop! Without any fanfare I walked over to the two men, joined in the conversation. Jeff thought I was giving up and it was time to call it a day. I said “almost, not just yet until you look in my scoop” … I’ll let you imagine the emotions from all members of Jeff, his wife and three children.

Time was left to snap a few photos, clean up, grab a wonderful island lunch. I did a bit of show and tell and left a few “treasures” with the young detectorist which he was sharing with his sister. It was then time for the walk to the ferry boarding area and board the ferry that would take me back to the main land. During the hour ride I was sure I would be pondering over the wonderful feeling of how a terrible happening was turn into a great day on one beautiful island with one terrific family. I am pretty sure I will hear of a young detectorist doing fabulous things in the near future.

I do love this hobby.