Dave Cartee, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 6 of 9

If you lost something, READ THIS!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

With the beautiful weather and the long weekend, I thought I would post a PSA. If you are looking at my page and in need of someone to help you find your lost ring or item, please immediately remove any posts you have made on social media about where you lost it. I know you mean well but unfortunately there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there that will go and try to find it that don’t have good intentions. The fact is that in all of the years I have been doing this, I have only been able to recover one expensive ring that was first shared extensively on social media. 😳. So take a deep breath and give me a call. I won’t ask you for any specific information on where your ring is until you and I are both comfortable and then I will go get it for you and put that ring back on your finger where it belongs. God bless and Happy Memorial Day!
p.s.- please share this post with your friends if you don’t mind
-Dave 850-346-1736

Lost Ring Perdido Beach – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

Well this is a ring return I won’t ever forget. Even Covid-19 couldn’t stop this nice lady from getting her ring back on her finger. Two days ago, Tyler and her family were in Perdido Beach and on the way back to the car she had her engagement ring on her child’s stroller. As you can imagine, she hit a bumpy patch and by the time she got back to the car her ring was gone on the beach. Yesterday she posted all over social media in hopes that someone may have found it. This is usually a really bad idea because with that much info, someone that is not interested in returning it can find it and move along. Luckily a few people recommended my services (thank you!) and she sent me an email. She didn’t provide any information and didn’t even give me a phone number. Even though I sent her a few emails back she didn’t reply or call. This is totally normal because she was so shocked, I know she was probably trying to make sure she didn’t get scammed with promises of help and she was overwhelmed with the prospect of losing her ring forever. I felt bad for her and I knew that the longer all of the information stayed on the internet, the higher the chance she would never get it back. My friend Charlie and I had the chance to get out today and I talked him into heading to the area. Once there we were very lucky to find it pretty quickly based on our experience with where she may have lost it. I finally posted on Explore Pensacola and she called within the hour. I invited Tyler and her husband to my home and did my first ever social distancing ring return. 😃. I think they were both shocked that a total stranger would just go get her ring for her. I’m very glad to be able to do it. Thanks for the assist today Charlie!  God bless you all!!! 💍

Engagement Ring Lost for 4 months! – Pensacola Beach – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

I am so honored to be able to write up this story as one of the most amazing ring returns I have had with the Ringfinders. I warn you, it’s probably going to be a long one. 😃 2019 has been a great year. Early in the spring I had a call from a couple that had lost both the wife’s engagement ring and her wedding band out in a very large area of sand. My Father-in-Law, Tom Ledew had a freshwater machine but he didn’t have a saltwater machine. He had expressed some interest in the Ringfinders so I decided to ask him to join me and loan him one of my Saltwater machines. You can read the long story on another post but suffice it to say, Tom found one and I found the other and he now has a good Beach machine and is hooked. 😄. So that brings us to our current story… back in July, the day after the Blue Angels flew, I got a call from a very nice young man named Thomas. He had proposed to his beautiful bride, Dani only a few months earlier and she had not had the chance to have the engagement ring properly sized. They were in the water at Quietwater beach along with hundreds of other people and the ring just slipped off her finger sometime in the afternoon. I immediately came out to the beach and got all of the information that I could, right down to pictures from the boat, the tides and even the gps coordinates where the boat they were in was anchored during the air show. It was a huge area as far as water recoveries go but this is one of the nicest couples that I have met and I set out to do my best. I searched everywhere and dug up hundreds of pull tabs and I even found two other rings (one, I was able to find the owner in Tennessee 😃) but I could not find Thomas and Dani’s ring. I was bummed but I knew it was a large area so I asked if I could come out at sunrise the next morning. They said of course and I put in a few hours that morning and then put in a few more after work. All to no avail. I told Thomas that I could not find it and he was down but I told him I truly thought his ring was out there and with his permission I would like to keep looking for it when able and I would also like his permission to have my Father-in- Law help me with the search. Thomas said I could do whatever but felt the ring was lost forever and he said with all the people swimming that day he feared someone had seen it on the bottom and picked it up. I told him not to worry and that maybe one day I would come across it and call them. Fast forward 4 months and here we are in November. They were such a nice couple that I just haven’t been able to let their ring go. Anytime I am out that way, I always search for it a bit. I even came up with some down home engineering that anchors into the sand and lets me do overlapping circles to be absolutely sure I hadn’t missed a spot. Tom had been out to help me several times also and was becoming equally vested in finding this ring. Well within these 4 months, Tom Ledew was accepted into the Ringfinders over in Orange Beach, AL. (Congrats Tom! 🎉) and he had a recovery in the Gulf. I mentioned that Tom has a good beach machine but he remembered that first experience with my Excal which is simply the best machine there is for finding a ring out in the saltwater. Tom asked if he could borrow it and of course I said yes. He found the ring that day in AL so quickly and was so amazed that he had to have one for himself. Then it got really cold 🥶 and our plans to get in the water got put on pause. Through it all I kept going back to thinking about Thomas and Dani’s ring and I just knew I had covered the area where they thought it was. I also kept thinking that maybe Thomas was right and someone had picked it up but I just knew that gold sinks in the sand so quickly that it was almost impossible. I decided that the only possibility was it had to be a bit deeper where maybe the boat had swung around and Dani had to swim out a little to get on the ladder. Swimming + an oversized ring = an unhappy couple. So Tom and I made a plan to go back out and see if my theory was correct. Tom beat me to it and got his coil over it first but I am so glad that he did. This was his first major target recovered with the machine he tried for the first time earlier this year in the spring. It all comes full circle. 😃. The most fun I had was calling Thomas. Dani happened to be sitting right next to him when I started telling them who I was. Thomas had saved my number as “the Ring Guy” so he knew pretty quickly. They were shocked that after 4 months (twice as long as they had been engaged) this random guy would call and tell them that he had the ring that would forever remind them of the day that Thomas proposed. Congrats y’all, I hope this will remind you through the years as it will me to never give up!  😊

Lost Gold Engagement Ring – FOUND!!! – Orange Beach, AL

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

I have to say that today was probably  my favorite return of the year. It had all the elements of a great day. I got the call late in the afternoon so I didn’t have to take off work,  it was a super nice couple, they weren’t sure if it was in the water or the sand, they had dug for it extensively, they had asked a stranger with a metal detector to look in the area and last but not least, there were tons of people around watching that were vested in the return because they had been watching them search all day. When Luke called me saying that Emily had dropped her engagement ring in Orange Beach I knew I had to go and help. They had been throwing a football and when they sat back down Emily’s beautiful gold and diamond engagement ring was nowhere to be found. I got some info from Luke and quickly headed that way from Pensacola. When I got to the condo the security guard told me that there was no guest parking but he would give me one hour before I had to go. I hustled down to the beach and there were still people everywhere. Most of them were closely watching what I did so you could tell that they knew all about the missing ring. Even more than normal I wanted to do my best because I knew I had an audience. After a few questions, I started out on the beach and then headed down the path they had walked to the water. I assumed that it was probably in the water so I then went over a pattern in the breaking waves and moved over the sand drop off in case it had been sucked back into deeper water. When I was coming up the beach, Luke and Emily stopped me and said that they had been discussing it and they thought they were in the very top of the breaking water which would have been higher up the beach earlier in the day. I quickly started swinging up there and was on my second pass when I heard a very faint sound. Throughout the search I had found a few targets that I dug but nothing was a good signal. This time it was a little higher pitched but it was so deep that I was intrigued. I almost ignored it thinking that there was no way it could be that deep with only a half day in the sand. Then I remembered that they had been digging for it so I decided to go ahead and see what was down there. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the gleam of gold in the scoop. Emily and Luke immediately celebrated with me and it was then that I realized just how many people were watching the drama unfold. The whole beach erupted into cheers and applause!  😃. I had to run to the parking lot to convince the security guard not to tow my car and give me a bit longer for pictures but he was very understanding. On the way out the young man and his family who had offered help with their metal detector came running up and told me that their was a lady on the beach who needed my help. When I told them that I had found her ring the young man thought that was the coolest thing in the world. I answered about 100 questions but I’m pretty sure I have hooked him and his father on this hobby for life. I am absolutely thrilled that I could return this beautiful ring to Emily and Luke. Y’all are wonderful people and I had a great time helping you. God Bless!  💍

Lost Ring – Fort Morgan,AL -FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

This is Whitney who was down with her family from Arkansas visiting Fort Morgan when she lost her brand new ring somewhere on the beach or in the Gulf. She was absolutely distraught because she and her husband Justin had been married for 13 years and finally decided to get this beautiful ring for Whitney. In her own words she knew that she shouldn’t wear it to the beach but she was just so proud of it that she couldn’t leave it behind. I always tell people to NOT dig for their rings because especially with gold the density difference makes the ring drop farther and farther into the sand. I also tell people that a cheap detector from Academy does not have the capability of finding a ring on a saltwater beach after an inch or two. Unfortunately, this ring was a prime example of both of these rules.  The night before, Whitney and Justin had driven to Foley and bought a cheap detector and dug all night at false signals making things worse. Luckily for them, my detectors can read much deeper than that and luckily for them I’m a sucker for a good story so I left at the crack of dawn to make the several hour round trip out to see if I could help. When I got there Whitney wasn’t sure if the ring was in the water or not since they had gone over the beach with the Academy detector. I told her I would start on the beach and then if it wasn’t there I would move into the water. I could see all of the disturbed sand where they had been digging so I set my machine and walked to the edge of the area to start my grid pattern. I have to say that I was a little surprised when I swung the coil to the left and before I could even complete the first swing I got a solid loud gold signal. It was a no brainer and I gently dug it out of the ground from 6 inches deep. Whitney hadn’t even walked over to her chair yet so she didn’t see me get the ring. She had mentioned earlier on the phone that they hadn’t had a good day yet because of losing the ring. I walked over and held it out and said “maybe, you can have a great day starting now.”  Needless to say, she was shocked and thrilled. She couldn’t believe that I had found it that quickly in the exact spot they had searched and dug for hours the night before. I’m so glad that I could give you back your ring and finally start your vacation right.

 

Lost Ring in the Gulf – Orange Beach

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

This was an awesome return!  My new friends Kathryn and Matt has been down from Ohio enjoying beautiful Orange Beach. Kathryn learned that there are positives when you solder your rings together but the big negative is that if you were to lose one, you lose all three. That’s exactly what happened when she was throwing a ball in about chest deep water and her rings went flying in the Gulf. She found out about me 2 days later and when she called she was very worried that she had waited too long and the rings were lost forever. I told her that I had a really good track record with rings in the water and that as long as it was still there and hadn’t sunk too deep in the sand, I thought I could find it. When I got there, the whole family was in attendance and although Kathryn was trying her best to appear optimistic, I could tell that she was truly worried. I felt for her and Matt and I got in the water on a mission. I heard a couple of higher tones which would not indicate gold but I always like to dig a few things so I can get idea of depth. I got a couple of coins in a row and I realized that I had told Kathryn and Matt that I would probably dig some other things but I had not told the whole family. I saw (maybe the brother-in-law) checking out my coin digging and I thought to myself that I needed to make sure I dug everything very visibly. I was excited when the very next tone I went over sounded like gold. I very gently dug it up and put it on my finger and starting wiggling my fingers so the bro-in-law could see. When he realized I had it by the smile on my face, he yelled to Matt and Matt yelled to Kathryn. They all sprinted down to me and before I was even out of the water Kathryn was in tears and had her arms spread wide open for a hug. When Matt got choked up too I told them I knew how they felt and that’s why I do this. That will never get old. I’m so very happy for y’all!  Congratulations! 💍

Lost Ring at the Blue Angels – Found!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

This was a neat return!  Sarah was down from Huntsville, AL enjoying the Blue Angels show with some friends when unfortunately her solid gold University of AL School of Nursing ring slipped off of her finger. To make matters worse, it came off in about 3 feet of water. Luckily for Sarah, a few days later, I was in the area looking for another lost ring and I found it before she even knew about the Ringfinders. I am always telling my wife that if she will put her name in her jewelry, there’s a good chance that if someone like me finds it, they will make their way back home. Sarah helped me illustrate that point because she had her last name and her date of graduation inside the ring. I went into “Facebook Detective mode” 😄and quickly tracked her down. I think she was a little shocked when I sent her a PM that I had found her ring. When I learned that she has recently accepted a position as a nurse in Hematology Oncology in Nashville, I wouldn’t even let her pay for the shipping to get her ring back to her. As you can see by her picture, she was thrilled to get it back. Sarah, I hope God blesses you in your chosen profession and you have your ring for many years to come. 👍

-Dave

4 Lost Rings In One Night! – FOUND! – Pensacola Beach

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

Last night was definitely a first for me. I got a call at 8:45 from Kerem telling me that his wife Kara had lost her ring on Pensacola Beach earlier in the afternoon. They are over here from Texas celebrating the week of Independence Day and this was definitely throwing a kink in the festivities. I started asking a few questions and quickly realized that this was not one ring but three separate rings and all they knew was they had been lost somewhere between the parking lot and the water. 😳I almost bowed out but I’m sentimental about wedding rings and when Kerem also explained that one of the rings was a silver and diamond band from Kara’s grandmother, I knew I had to go. An hour later I was at the beach meeting my new friends and listening as they excitedly tried to tell me where to start. I suggested that they let me ask them a few questions and moments later Kerem and I were headed down towards the water while Kara promised to follow after a quick  phone call home. Kerem had marked where they had been sitting and based on our talk, I thought that would be the best place to start. When I got to the mark I could see all the digging marks where they had been trying to find them earlier and I started to do a spiral pattern. I didn’t go five feet before I had a strong gold signal in my headphones and scooped up a small solid gold band. Kerem had turned to look at something else and didn’t see me do it in the dark so I got his attention and said, “is it ok to start with this one?” and I opened up my hand to show him the ring. Kerem absolutely freaked out and yelled “You just found my wife’s wedding band!” He literally picked me up hugging me. 😄  I quickly got back to it and didn’t even get a full swing in before I got the next signal. Kerem dropped down to his knees to watch as I unearthed a gorgeous diamond engagement ring. All that was left was the silver ring that belonged to Kara’s grandmother. I only had to make a few more passes and about 3 feet away I got another tone. In less than about 3 minutes a very happy Kerem and I were headed back to the parking lot with all 3 rings in my hand. When we got back to Kara we had a little fun with her saying we didn’t want to get started without her and she hurriedly started towards the beach. When I told her that I would save her the walk and opened my hand, the tears and the hugs started immediately. Kara put the rings on and when I told her that I still needed a picture, she took them off and immediately dropped one in the parking lot. I told them both to freeze so they wouldn’t step on it and got down on my knees with my light. I saw the little gold band underneath the car and handed it back to her. She exclaimed that she was still missing one and Kerem told her that she had all three. She quickly told us both that she had lost four and not three rings and Kerem had told me wrong. To make matters worse, it was still the Grandmother’s silver ring that was still missing and Kara promptly burst into tears again. I reassured her that I could find the spot on the beach again and we double-timed it back down to the beach. Luckily once we found the spot, it only took about another minute and I was able to hear a high tone indicating silver. I reached down and sifted through the sand and pulled out a beautiful little ring. In the light of my headlamp I could clearly see the 925 stamp for silver and Kerem and I were able to give back the fourth and final ring to Kara. Even though the actual search time wasn’t that long, I’ve never experienced the emotional roller coaster that this hunt was and I have certainly never found four different rings for someone in a night before. Kara and Kerem, y’all are awesome people and I’m so glad you gave me a call to come help. Keep those rings where they belong.  😃💍

Lost Rings at the Beach – FOUND!!! – Pensacola

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

I’m late on posting this one but a few weeks ago I got a call from Chris and Heather. They had been enjoying one of our local beaches here in Pensacola looking for shells the day before when Heather’s rings came off of her hand. Unfortunately, this was both her engagement ring and her band together and they fell off somewhere on the beach in all that sand.  When Heather told me where they were I immediately headed out because I knew that it was a popular beach and I had to find them quickly. Chris sent me a google pin and when I got there something didn’t look right based on my conversation earlier with Heather. A quick phone call and some telephone detective work got me to where I thought they had been and I started my search. It wasn’t very many passes laying out grid lines until I looked over just a little outside where they thought the rings might be. I remembered them saying that they were looking for shells and I saw a little pile of broken shells. These were the kind that you might pick up and then discard later when you realized they were broken. I decided to walk that way and sure enough, moments later I had the rings in my scoop. I love it when people trust me enough to have me look for their rings even when they can’t be there. When I send them that initial picture and talk to them on the phone you can hear the pure happiness coming through the line. Congratulations Chris and Heather and thank you so much for trusting me to help you out. 😃💍

Lost Ring, Pensacola Beach, FL – FOUND!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)

Friday night I got a call from a man named Wes saying that his wife had lost her ring on Pensacola Beach. I talked to him for a bit and got some info. He told me that they had tried to look for it already and said that they might try again. I explained to him that searching for it can usually drive a gold ring deeper into the sand because of the differences in density. I also told him that I was going to be in the area the next morning dropping off my son at Lacrosse practice. Wes asked if I would head across the bridge after and we set a time to meet. When I walked down onto the beach I got a bit concerned because I could see the fresh tracks of the machine that drags the sand to pick up trash, etc.  However, when I found Wes and he pointed to the area where the ring was lost, I started to get the feeling that this nice couple was going to be lucky since the tracks stopped about 50 yards away. When Wes told me that they were sitting 37 steps away from a landmark and he had brought a 100ft measuring tape, I knew that there was a great chance of finding his wife’s ring. Sure enough, in less than 10 minutes on my third pass I got a nice tone and gently pulled up her ring in the first scoop. Thanks for calling me Wes and thanks for being so thorough. I’m very glad y’all got your ring back. 👍😃💍