Dennis Boothby, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 2 of 21

Tungsten Wedding Ring Lost Swimming In The Ocean, Found With A Metal Detector, Old Orchard Beach, Maine

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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🌊 THE RING SHOULD HAVE READ 50… IT READ 21. WHY? 🤔💍

The Ring Finders of Maine, With Recovery and Return #231

I received a call from Kevin late Sunday afternoon. He told me that approximately five hours earlier, he had lost his tungsten wedding ring while in the water at Old Orchard Beach. 🏖️
Kevin was not far from the Oob Pier lifeguard stand, right in front of the carousel at Palace Playland. He had lost the ring at high tide, and as the tide receded, he searched the area where it had come off.
After hours of searching, the ring was nowhere to be found.
As you all know, once a ring comes off in the surf, it settles under the sand and out of sight. 🌊⏳
Kevin wasn’t giving up, though. He asked the lifeguards what else he could do to find his ring. The lifeguards told him to call The Ring Finders of Maine—and here we are! 📞✨
I told Kevin that I could be down there in about a half hour, at 5:15 p.m., and Kevin agreed to meet me there.
He told me he would meet me after helping his wife get their four children back to the cabin they were renting for their week-long vacation in OOB. 🛖👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🔍 The Search Begins
Once I arrived in OOB, I made my way down the beach to the area near the lifeguard stand.
Kevin hadn’t arrived yet, and not knowing the exact area where he lost it, I just started searching at the bottom of the beach bank slope.
As I finished my first pass without finding the ring, Kevin arrived. He said he wasn’t that close to the slope, and he sized up the area to establish the parameters of where I should search. 📐
I decided to grid search from the lifeguard stand to the carousel, going back and forth while working my way toward the water. 🚶‍♂️🔙🔛🔜
I started in front of the carousel as I made my way toward the lifeguard stand and pier. I received a few targets, including the storm runoff pipes deep under the sand.
The only non-ferrous item was a recently dropped quarter. 🪙
When I dug it up, I could see Kevin watching intently. I told him that this wouldn’t be his tungsten ring but would be a quarter. When I pulled the quarter out of the sand, he was impressed that I knew what it would be before digging it! 🎯

📱 Talking “Shop” & Target ID Numbers
I told him that modern U.S. quarters ring up on the Minelab Manticore metal detector in the 88–90 area on the Target Identification (TID) screen.
I told Kevin that his tungsten wedding ring should have a TID of around 45 to 55, although I have found them as high as the 60s. Size, thickness, and purity play a role, but for the most part, I find them in that 45 to 55 range.
I finished up my first grid pass, turned around, and headed south. Within a minute of this grid pass, I received a nice non-ferrous target of 21. 🤔
Lots of low-conducting metals can have a TID in the low 20s, including gold. I told Kevin it probably wasn’t going to be his ring, but it was too nice of a target to pass up.
I dug a scoop full of sand, and the target was out of the hole. I used my pinpointer to locate it, and once it was located, I was completely surprised to see a tungsten wedding ring! 🤩💎
I showed it to Kevin and asked him if it was his. As he took it from my hand and looked it over, he said:
“Yup, that’s mine. I can see the crack in it.”
AWESOME!!!! 🎉🥳
Kevin thanked me, shook my hand, and asked, “Can I give you a hug?” Of course! I love smiles and hugs. 🤗
Kevin then sent a photo of the ring to his wife, still smiling ear to ear. 📸😁

💡 The Science of Eddy Currents
I told Kevin that I really didn’t think a TID of 21 would be his wedding ring. But once I heard him say the ring had a crack in it, it all made sense! Metal detectors work like this:
Metal detectors rely on a phenomenon called Eddy Currents. 🌐
1️⃣ The Loop Effect: A metal detector’s search coil sends an electromagnetic wave into the ground. This induces circular electrical currents (eddy currents) to travel around the unbroken, continuous loop of a ring. ⭐
2️⃣ The Result: This unbroken loop creates a strong, secondary electromagnetic field that the metal detector detects as a highly conductive, solid object (giving you that clean 45–55 reading for tungsten). 🔋
3️⃣ The Break: The moment a ring is cracked—even a hairline fracture that goes all the way through the band—the continuous loop is broken. The eddy currents can no longer travel around the circle. 💥
Instead of detecting a large, round object, the metal detector now views the ring as a bent strip of wire or an open staple.
Because the electrical path is restricted, the detector perceives it as having drastically lower conductivity (hence the reading of 21!). 📉

⚙️ My Past Career Connects!
Now, for 26 years, I worked at Nichols Portland (NP) in Portland, Maine. 🌲
NP is a manufacturer of gerotors, among other things. Gerotors are powdered metal components that were prone to cracking if not handled properly.
Because Nichols Portland takes cracked parts seriously for both us and our customers, we actually used an eddy current machine (a crack detector) to detect cracks in our parts prior to shipping them out. Our reputation for quality parts was second to none! ✨
Eddy currents are nothing new to me, and as soon as Kevin told me about the crack, I knew immediately why the ring had such a low TID. 🧠
Sorry for my rambling, but I haven’t talked “shop” in five years since my retirement. Some things you just never forget! 🛠️👴

❤️ A Heartwarming Ending
As Kevin and I parted ways, I kept metal detecting as I walked down the beach and back to my vehicle. All of a sudden, I heard Kevin and turned around to see him running toward me! 🏃‍♂️💨
He held his phone up and said, “My children want to thank you for finding my wedding ring.” 📱
I saw four young children all smiling and thanking me for finding “Daddy’s ring.” 🥹
I told his children it was my pleasure as they waved to me over the phone.
It just doesn’t get any better than that. It warms your heart to know you’ve touched theirs. ❤️
✨ Remember: “If it Matters To You, It Matters To Us.” ✨
I have the best job in the world. I love my job! 🔍🏝️👑

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Sentimental Sterling Silver Ring Lost In The Sand, Found With A Metal Detector In York Beach, Maine

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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🏐 Lost Ring at Short Sands Beach, in York Beach, Maine! 🏐

The Ring Finders of Maine, With Recovery and Return #230

On Tuesday evening, just after 8:30 PM, I received an urgent call from Andrew. 📱

His daughter, Kristen, had just lost an extremely sentimental sterling silver ring. She has worn this precious gift every single day since she was 14 years old! 🥰

This ring has traveled the world with Kristen, accompanying her on trips across three different continents. 🌎
Needless to say, it is irreplaceable.

Kristen had lost the ring just thirty minutes before Andrew called me. The family is currently on vacation and was enjoying some time at Short Sands Beach in York, Maine. 🏖️

While playing volleyball on the beach just before sunset, Kristen felt the ring slip right off her finger as she was serving the ball! 🏐💥
Andrew and his family immediately began searching, but they just couldn’t spot it in the sand.

However, Andrew made a brilliant move—he marked the exact area where Kristen was standing when the ring flew off! 📍

Knowing that precise location helps immensely during a recovery. 🧭

As they were searching, a kind person walking their dog on the beach saw their plight and gave the family my contact information. 🐕‍🦺

After checking out The Ring Finders of Maine Facebook page, they liked what they saw, and Andrew gave me a call. 📞

I told Andrew I would be there in approximately 45 minutes. He said he and his family would wait and continue their search. 🕒

Once again, thoughts of a beach cleaning machine crossed my mind. 🚜 I wasn’t sure if Short Sands Beach uses mechanical cleaners or not, but I didn’t want to take any chances!

Cheryl and I quickly packed up our gear and jumped on the Maine Turnpike , heading south once again. 🚗💨

It was now 8:45 PM and completely dark—but at least it wasn’t raining! 🌙✨

🕵️‍♂️ Under 30 Seconds to a Miracle! ⏱️💍

We pulled into the parking lot near Fun-O-Rama @ Short Sands Beach , and I called Andrew. 🚗

He immediately came over to Cheryl and me, walking us over to where his family was sitting in their beach chairs, patiently waiting. 🏖️

The family had brilliantly placed a volleyball at the exact spot Kristen had been standing when she served the ball and the ring flew off. 🏐📍

I explained my game plan to the family. I would start just in front of the volleyball and swing my detector back and forth, making my way toward Fun-O-Rama .

If it wasn’t found within 30 feet or so, I would then search behind the ball—just in case the ring slipped off during her backswing. ↩️

I started the search right near their beach chairs and began walking toward the water. Within just 10 seconds, directly in front of the volleyball, I got a non-ferrous target signal! 🔊

At first, it was a slightly scratchy tone, and the TID (Target Identification) was jumping around in the 80s.

That definitely indicated a high-conducting metal, right in the sterling silver range! 🪙 (However, modern quarters also ring up in the high 80s).

I used my foot to push some sand away and scanned the area again. This time, I got a very solid 88–90 on the TID! 🎯

Honestly, I thought it had to be a quarter. There was no way Kristen’s ring fell directly in front of where she was standing, just a couple of feet away… right? 🤔

I reached into the sand, fully expecting to pull out a coin—but it was the silver ring!!!

💍✨ Unbelievable!!!!

I raised my hand with the ring and held it up to show the family. 🙋‍♂️ I watched jaws drop and heard nervous laughter break out as the entire family rushed over to me! 🏃‍♂️💨

I handed the ring to Andrew, with Kristen right behind him. As soon as she saw it, she cried out that it was her ring! The smiles, high-fives, and pure joy instantly erupted! 🙌🥳

It is absolutely crazy—just 5 seconds after I started swinging the detector, I hit the target. The ring was back in my hand after just 27 seconds total! (Cheryl’s video helped me time this out perfectly!). 📹⏱️⚡

The entire family was ecstatic, telling me all over again just how much this ring meant to Kristen.

Kristen and her family thanked us repeatedly as she looked down at the ring, safely back on her finger where it belonged. ❤️
As we were wrapping up the celebration, a woman walking her dog strolled over. The family pointed her out as the incredible person who had recommended The Ring Finders of Maine to them in the first place! 🐕‍🦺

I thanked her for her amazing support and referral, and she smiled and told me, “I love what you do.” It is always such an incredible feeling to hear positive feedback from our followers and fans! 🥹🙏

All that was left were the big hugs before we said our goodbyes. Everyone was still smiling and laughing as Cheryl and I walked away into the night. 🌙

Now, this wonderful family can fully enjoy the rest of their Maine vacation without the heartbreak of a lost ring hanging over their heads! 🌲🦞☀️

🤯 Lightning Strikes Twice! ⚡🏐

Another ring is back on the finger where it belongs! 💍 For the second night in a row, we successfully completed an evening recovery in pitch-black darkness. 🌙

But here is the truly crazy part: for the second night in a row, a ring was lost while playing volleyball! 🏐😲

In my 25 years of metal detecting, I have found well over 500 rings. I’ve found them in the dark and I’ve found them around volleyball courts. But in a quarter-century of doing this, I have never been called in to specifically search for a ring lost during a volleyball game. ❌

Now, on two consecutive evenings, I’ve been called out to find rings lost while serving a volleyball—first in Old Orchard Beach, Maine (OOB), and now in York Beach! 🏖️💥
What are the absolute odds of that happening?! 🎲📊

Just remember: “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” ❤️

I truly have the best job in the world. I love what I do! 🙏😊

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Tungsten Wedding Ring Lost In The Old Orchard Beach Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
Contact:

⏱️ 45 MINUTES TO VICTORY: From a Panicked Call to a Found Ring in the Rain! 🤝🎉

“Hi, my name is Ryan. I just found your services online. I’m vacationing at Old Orchard Beach, Maine and I was playing a game of volleyball. I actually lost my wedding ring… I wasn’t sure if you guys would be able to help me out. My phone number is 603-***-****. All right. Thank you for your time.” 📞

I immediately called Ryan back.

He told me that he and his family had just arrived in Old Orchard Beach, Maine about an hour earlier. Even though it was getting dark and raining lightly, Ryan’s children really wanted to go see the beach and ocean. 🌧️🌊

Ryan and his wife said, “Why not? We’re on vacation.” 🏖️

The family left for the beach. They walked into the square and entered the sand right next to the carousel at Palace Playland, across from the Old Orchard Beach And Pier. Once on the beach, they took a hard right toward the volleyball courts next to Brunswick Hotel and Condominiums . 🎡🎪

While playing volleyball, Ryan felt his wedding ring slipping off. He didn’t see where it landed, but he knew it was very close to where he had been serving the ball. The family started searching, but the ring was gone—buried in the sand, out of sight. 🏐⏳

Ryan asked if I could help him, and of course, I said yes.

He told me they were in town for multiple days and asked if I could come down in the morning.

Now, my first thought was to go down early around 5:00 AM. The weather forecast was for rain all night into Tuesday morning. However, I wasn’t sure if the town’s beach cleaning machine—the Surf Rake—would be going out. 🚜🌧️

The beach rake could actually scoop the ring up and throw it into the hopper, and it would be lost forever. If the rake didn’t scoop it, it could certainly move it down the beach and way out of the search area. Both scenarios make me cringe. 😬❌

I told Ryan that I don’t like taking chances like that. I needed to search tonight, before the beach rake came out in the morning. Even though it was now dark and raining, it would still be dark and raining at 5:00 AM. Either way, I would need a raincoat. 🧥

Ryan and I agreed to meet at the volleyball court in 20 to 30 minutes. I just needed to get my equipment loaded up and drive down there. With all the gear packed, there was only one thing left to do:

“CHERYL, HAVE YOU SEEN MY RAINCOAT?” 🗣️🧥

Once I arrived, I walked the beach from The Brunswick for a couple hundred yards to the first volleyball court closer to Palace Playland. As I was walking, I could see a figure in the distance with a flashlight. 🔦

Arriving at the volleyball court, I could see Ryan still searching the sand with his phone’s flashlight. 📱

Ryan showed me where he had been serving the ball and where he had run up to the net when he felt his tungsten wedding ring coming off. The search area was very small, unless the ring had gone flying into the dune grass or outside the playing area of the court. 🌾

I told Ryan I would search east to west, pole to pole, from the net back to where he had served from. If I didn’t find it on this side, I would search the other side the exact same way. If I didn’t find it then, I would start searching outside of the volleyball court entirely. 🧭

The area he had served from was only halfway back on the court. I knew it would only take me 6 to 8 minutes to search this area. Since we were already at mid-net, I started my search there, heading west toward the amusement rides. 🎢

The beach and volleyball court were very clean and void of any targets at all when I arrived. I swung just past where Ryan had served from. Not one target at all. Very unusual! 🧐

I then walked back to the net to search the area I hadn’t checked yet. If the ring wasn’t found here, I would start on the other side of the net. 🔍

Within 30 seconds of searching the area under the net, I received my first target. It was a scratchy tone, and I wasn’t confident it was the wedding ring. But I needed to do my due diligence and check it out. 🎧🔊

As I located the target with my pinpointer, I removed the sand by sweeping the pinpointer across it. Then:
“THAT’S IT! THAT’S MY RING!!!” 🤩💍

Ryan had seen the ring appear in the dark and in the sand before I did!

The excitement of my clients seeing their lost ring again never, ever gets old. Now Ryan could enjoy his family vacation without having to worry about finding his ring. 🎉🥳

From the time he called me to finding the ring was only about 45 minutes. Time is of the essence, and Ryan knew that. He called me as soon as he knew he and his family weren’t going to find it on their own. ⏱️👏

After a high five and a handshake, Ryan and I took a few photos on the wet, dark beach. Ryan thanked me again and again for coming out on such short notice and in those conditions. 📸🤝

No worries—it’s what we do.

If the situation were different, I may have waited until the morning. But I just didn’t want to take a chance with that beach cleaning machine. 🚜🙅‍♂️

Remember: “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” ❤️

I have the best job in the world. I love my job. 🤙🪙

📲 NEED HELP FINDING A LOST VALUABLE?
Have you or someone you know lost a ring, keys, or jewelry in the sand or surf? Don’t wait for the beach rake to bury it! Time is of the essence! ⏱️❌
📞 Call The Ring Finders of Maine ASAP and ask for Dennis: 207-423-3027

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Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Sand At Camp Ellis Beach, Saco, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
Contact:

⏱️ 5 HOURS, 10 INCHES DEEP: A Bachelor Party Saved at Camp Ellis! 🌊💍🎉

The Ring Finders of Maine, With Recovery And Return #228

After finishing up with a platinum wedding ring recovery at Ogunquit Beach , I saw a text on my phone. 📱

Here is the text:
“Hello, we have a lost wedding ring at 39 ***** ***** ****, Saco at the beach. Wondering if you were available to check the area today as the tide comes down?”

I replied:
“Hi, this is Dennis Boothby of The Ring Finders of Maine. I just got your message. I am just coming up off the beach in Ogunquit. I just found somebody’s wedding band down here. If you could give me a call, I have a hands-free phone but I can’t keep texting. I would appreciate it. Again, Dennis Boothby, The Ring Finders of Maine 207-423-3027. Thank you.”

I then received a call from Rory. 📞

Rory told me that at approximately 2:00 PM, he went swimming at Camp Ellis in Saco, Maine . The tide was high, and when he got out of the water, his wedding ring was gone.

Rory told me that the area was very small, as he had basically gone into the water and right back out. He knew the exact area. Rory and a bunch of his friends were in town for a bachelor party weekend, and a few of them had gone into the water also. They all agreed on the area. Ok then!!! 🏖️🍻

I told Rory I had just started leaving Ogunquit, Maine and, depending on the traffic, I could be there in 45 minutes to an hour. Rory told me to call when I arrived, and he would come right out and show me the area. So, Cheryl and I were now heading to Camp Ellis. 🚗💨

Once I arrived, I called Rory.

He came right out with a few of his friends, and they took Cheryl and me through the waterfront house and down onto the beach. 🏠🌊

There were a few local residents on the beach who had helped look for the ring, but as we all know, once in the water, gold will sink below the sand and will not be visible. The ring was not found.

The Saco residents told me that when Rory lost the ring, they told him to call me and gave him my contact information. Thank you for the referral!!! 🙏📣

Rory and his friends had even marked an area where they thought the ring would be. I asked if it could be as high as the towel line and as low as where the receding tide was now situated. They agreed it could be.

I always like to overshoot an area when I perform a grid search. The client may be off a few feet, or the tide and waves may have moved it a bit before the ring settled under the sand. 📈🌊

I decided to start up high on the beach’s banking and work my way down toward the receding water. As in Ogunquit, I would be performing a North-South grid search. 🧭

I also took a gold test ring, covered it with the wet beach sand, and let everyone hear what the ring would sound like when I swung my metal detector’s coil over the test ring. I then told them that the gold wedding ring shouldn’t be more than 2 to 3 inches deep—4 inches at the most. 🎧🔊

Once I started searching, I wasn’t receiving any non-ferrous targets other than one small pull tab. Every other target was ferrous, possibly from all the houses along the shore that had been damaged and or lost during storms. 🏚️💥

I was approximately half to three-quarters done searching the area when I received a nice, loud mid-tone with a TID (Target Identification) reading of 47 on my Minelab Manticore’s VDI (Visual Display Indicator). My metal detector was also telling me it was about 8 inches deep on the depth meter. 🧐👀

Now, men’s gold rings usually have a TID in the 20s and 30s and, with the tide receding, shouldn’t be more than a few inches deep, as I had mentioned.

I told Rory that I didn’t think it was his ring, but I would mark the spot and investigate it once I finished searching if the ring hadn’t been found by that time. I only had maybe 5 to 8 minutes more of searching left. ⏳

As I finished that grid pass, I turned and headed south again, parallel with the water. Because I overlap my swings to make sure I don’t miss any areas, I came back to the spot I had just marked with the 47 TID.

When I heard the loud target for the second time, I decided to just check it out right then and not wait! 🔍🛠️

As I dug with my hand scoop, I wasn’t finding the target. It was still in the hole. I dug 4 or 5 scoops when all of a sudden, I heard Rory scream:

“THAT’S IT, RIGHT THERE!” 🤩🙌

I looked down into the hole and couldn’t believe what I was seeing at the bottom of that 8- to 10-inch-deep hole. A gold ring. Rory’s gold wedding ring! 💍✨

Everyone in the group was hootin’ and hollerin’ with joy! Rory fell to the ground after removing the ring from the hole, a joyous smile across his face. 🥳🎉

The smiles, high fives, hugs, and handshakes started amongst everyone. Someone yelled out, “Rory, you going to tell your wife now?” as everyone laughed. 🗣️😂

As we stood around, I was amazed by how deep the ring had settled down into the sand in just five hours. The waves at high tide must have really pounded the sand, burying the ring.

I have found rings in the ocean days later that were only 2 to 3 inches deep after many tides had come and gone. You just never know what the ocean will do with your ring! 🌊🤷‍♂️

The bachelor party could now continue, and with another great reason to celebrate! Everyone was in a wonderful mood, and it was fun to see everyone enjoying themselves. Rory and his friends continued to thank me for the quick response. 🍻🕺

As Cheryl and I left, we could still hear the group celebrating the upcoming wedding of their friend—and, of course, the saving of Rory’s marriage (just kidding!), I meant wedding ring. 😉💍
Remember: “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” ❤️

It was now approaching 8:00 PM. Cheryl and I had been gone for almost three hours, but we had helped get two more rings back on their owners’ fingers. We have the best job in the world. I love my job! 🤙🪙

📲 NEED HELP FINDING A LOST VALUABLE?
Have you or someone you know lost a ring, keys, or jewelry in the sand or surf? Don’t wait for the ocean to bury it! Time is critical when it comes to the water moving sand over your lost items. ⏱️❌
📞 Call The Ring Finders of Maine ASAP and ask for Dennis: 207-423-3027

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Platinum Wedding Ring Lost In Ogunquit Beach, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
Contact:

🔍 THE ONE-IN-A-THOUSAND SHOT! Why a beach bag beat my metal detector at Ogunquit Beach…🏖️💍

The Case of the Flying Platinum Wedding Ring! 😲💍

Late Friday afternoon, June 19th, I received a call from Gina. Her husband, Bryan, had just lost his platinum wedding ring at Ogunquit Beach.

Gina told me they knew the area and had been searching for it but couldn’t find it. I asked her if the ring had been lost on the beach or in the water.

She told me the ring had been lost on the beach, in the vicinity of where they had been sitting around, and definitely not in the water. They were just to the left of The Norseman Resort as you walked onto the beach. 🏖️

I told Gina I could leave as soon as I loaded my equipment into my vehicle and it would take me approximately an hour to get to Ogunquit Beach , depending on the traffic. I agreed to give her a call when I arrived, and she or Bryan would meet me at the Norseman and walk me to their location.

Cheryl and I loaded the vehicle up and jumped on the turnpike, heading to Ogunquit. Once we arrived, Cheryl and I were promptly met by Gina. 🚗💨

As we walked to their location, Gina told me that she and Bryan were having a “no kids” weekend getaway, with the children spending time with their grandparents. She also told me Bryan was still searching the sand but had still not found his wedding ring.

When Bryan and Gina first started searching for the ring, many people around them had recommended that they call me—including Michele, a woman whom I had recovered three rings for last summer in Ogunquit! It always makes me feel good that people think highly enough of me to refer me. 🙌

Anyways, as we approached the area, I could see Bryan on his hands and knees searching for his wedding ring.

Bryan told me that earlier in the day he had taken his platinum wedding ring off to go swimming. He had placed the wedding ring in the cupholder of his beach chair.

As the day progressed, Bryan had forgotten about his wedding ring in the cupholder. As they prepared to leave the beach, Bryan folded up the beach chair, flipped it over to carry it, and walked off the beach, heading back to their room. 😮

Within five minutes of leaving the beach, Bryan realized he wasn’t wearing his wedding ring. He and Gina rushed back to where they had been set up for the day and immediately started searching the area where Bryan had flipped the chair.

It had to be in that very small area, but the ring was nowhere to be found. ❌

If you have been following us long enough, you have heard this story more than once. Rings in cupholders are one of the two most common ways—if not THE most common way—that a ring is lost in the dry sand.

The other culprit is removing your ring to apply lotion, placing it on your lap, and forgetting it. Once you get up, the ring disappears into the sand. ⏳

Okay then, I now knew the area and I threw my own platinum wedding ring into the dry sand, watching it disappear (not a ritual that Cheryl enjoys watching!).

I then swung my metal detector’s coil over the area, and my platinum ring made that loud, low tone you would expect. Next, I took my pinpointer and located the ring in the sand.

I like performing this ritual for my clients. The demonstration allows them to “hear” what I will be listening for. Once they hear that tone, they will be listening for it right along with me. It gives them a sense of relief that the metal detector is going to work and that I know what I’m doing. 🎧✨
(You can see the focus in the photo as I got to work, with everyone watching anxiously to see if the detector would pick up a signal! 🕵️‍♂️🏖️)

The entire area that needed to be searched was maybe 15’ x 30’. (Take a look at the diagram in the photos to see exactly how the grid was laid out next to their gear! 🗺️)

I started with a North-to-South grid search. If I didn’t find it, I would then search the area again, this time performing an East-to-West grid search. This would ensure no area was left untouched.

As I started searching, there were very few targets, and the ones I was receiving were ferrous targets, when we were hoping for a low-conducting, non-ferrous target. 🧭

I covered the entire area in under 10 minutes, and the ring was not found. One thing I always do is plan my next move.

As I was searching, I was thinking that the ring could have also become stuck on the chair and been carried out of the area on the way back to their room. The ring could have fallen out anywhere along Bryan and Gina’s path off the beach.

I was also thinking that the ring could still be stuck in the chair, or possibly in the beach bag next to the chair. I just run all kinds of scenarios through my mind as I search. 🤔🧠

As I started my East-to-West search, I kept looking at the beach chair and beach bag. Nothing on my first East-to-West pass.

I then walked closer to where Bryan really thought the ring would be and resumed my search. Then, I asked Bryan and Gina if they had searched the beach bag and chair.

Bryan said, “That’s a good point.” 💡

As I was heading east toward the water, Gina and Bryan started removing towels and other beach items from the beach bag.

Cheryl and I then heard Gina say, “Oh my god, there it is! I can’t believe it. I thought I looked in there once.” 😲🎉

I walked a few feet over to the beach bag, and at the very bottom was Bryan’s platinum wedding ring.(You can see exactly what we saw in the photos—nestled right there among the beach clothes and sand! 🧺💍

Smiles were immediate and across everyone’s faces. Handshakes, hugs, and smiles were everywhere, and the mood was now joyous. 🥹❤️

WOW!!! The wedding ring must have flown out of the beach chair, landing right in the beach bag that was sitting right next to it. A one-in-a-thousand shot for sure, and a first in my ring-finding career! 🎯

It just goes to show you that you have to think outside the box. If it wasn’t in the sand, it had to be along their path to the room or among their beach items. It pays to ask a lot of questions.

(And yes, if you look closely at the photo of Bryan, his shirt says “RELAX YOU’RE IN OGUNQUIT MAINE”—a little easier to do once the ring is back where it belongs! Check out the final photo to see the beautiful “GMY to BTF” engraving inside! 😍)

Now Bryan and Gina will be able to enjoy the rest of their “no kids” getaway weekend without a lost wedding ring hanging over their heads. They were very thankful for our quick response to help them, and Cheryl and I were very happy to do it.

As you know, “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” I have the best job in the world. I love my job. 🏝️💍

📞 Lose something valuable? Don’t wait! Call or text Dennis at (207) 423-3027.

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Vintage 1960’s Cub Scouts Slide Lost In Saco Maine, Found Visually, Without A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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“Three generations of scouting history, lost in an instant—and the ultimate ‘Good Deed’ that brought a grandfather’s 1960s slide back home! 🪵🇺🇸

“On Sunday June 14th, Flag Day, I received a call, from Doug, about a lost Cub Scout Neckerchief Slide. A ceremony was held at Ferry Beach State Park , in Saco, Maine, for a local Cub Scouts Pack #350. This Cub Scout Pack services the Saco, Maine , Biddeford, Maine and Old Orchard Beach, Maine communities. The ceremony was a “Rank Up” ceremony in which the cub scouts would be “Ranking Up”, achieving the next “slide”, as they advance in age and grade (More on this later.) As the ceremony ended, all the scouts, parents and leaders were leaving, walking down a wooded trail, towards the parking lot. Doug’s son Wyatt noticed his slide was missing. Now, this was no ordinary slide. This slide was actually the slide that Wyatt’s late grandfather had received, 65+ years earlier. YIKES!!! Doug told me that the scouting troop or about 20 people had been searching for the silde for 20-30 minutes but were unable to find it. The group had ended the search and were now on their way home. Doug thinks the most likely scenerio was that the slide fell off Wyatt’s neckerchief and was then kicked into the leaves and brush along the trail. I told Doug I could be there in 15-20 mnutes but just needed to know which trail to search. Doug then told me he would turn around and meet there, showing me exactly where the trail was. Perfect!!! Always a greater chance of success, when we know the exact area, to search.

Once I arrived at Ferry Beach State Park, I saw Doug and Waytt, next to the Ranger’s booth. After a quick introduction, we retreived my equiptment out of my vehicle and Wyatt was completly enthralled with the metal detector and pinpointer. I told Waytt he was my official pinpointer person, on this search and a huge smile came across his face. As we walked to the trail, we talked about what this vintage heirloom slide meant to the family and how important it was to find it. Once we arrived on the trail, I was asking lots of questions about could it be on the beach, etc.. My last question was “When was the last time you saw the slide” We walked maybe 10 more feet and Doug says “ It was in ths area”. As Doug was motioning with his hand, drawing a circle of the area he says “I can’t believe it. There it is. How did we not see it?” Just off the trail, sitting under a small plant was Wyatt’s slide, once belonging to his grandfather. WOW!! I couldn’t have been happier for them as a hugh relief swept across us. I hadn’t even turned my metal detector on yet and it was found. Wyatt did have the pinpointer on and placed it noxt to the slide and got a thrill, when the pinpointer went “beep, beep”. We then turned on my metal detector and Wyatt had a chance to use it, sweeping of the slide and getting more “beeps”, from the brass alloy slide. Wyatt was very happy to have his slide back but I think he was happy and excited to use the metal detectors. Amazing how the mood shifts, when a succsessful search is made. The walk out of the park was much more joyful, than the walk into the park.

We have seen this more than a few times. When someone loses a cherished item, their mind may go into a tailspin of panic, stress, or anxiety. Their emotions are now total overwhelm, brain may lock up, creating a literal mental block that makes it impossible to see what is right in front of you. You can stare directly at the grass or sand for hours, but the fear of losing that memory forever blurs your vision and clouds your judgment. You are too gripped by dread to even think about food or taking a breath.
However, when the we step onto the scene, the emotions start to ease. Just having someone there who knows exactly what to do allows you to finally exhale, lowering the panic and letting you catch your breath. As your nerves settle, your head clears, and you can finally step back and think straight again. With the frantic energy gone and calm restored, the chaotic search transforms into a clear, focused effort, and that is exactly when the missing item is finally spotted. I am not saying this happed today but we have seen this situation over and over again. Just having someone there helps with the frayed nerves.

Helping a young Cub Scout recover a treasured, vintage 1960s neckerchief slide, brought me back to my own Cub and Boy Scout Days. Tracking down this irreplaceable piece of history became the ultimate “good deed for the day,” transforming a family’s deep worry into a triumphant, successful recovery. Seeing the Scout’s face light up with pure relief when the classic brass slide was safely returned made it a deeply rewarding win, perfectly honoring the spirit of both scouting and community helping hands.

So, another Cub Scout Siide back on the hankerchief. Remember, “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” I have the best job in the world. I love my job.

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Gold and Diamond Wedding Ring Lost In The Bridgton, Maine Grass, While Ring Bearer Was Walking Down The Aisle, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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🚨 WEDDING DAY RESCUE! 💍 A missing ring, a panicked wedding party, and a five-year-old ring bearer who thought he ruined the big day… but the story didn’t end there!

On Saturday evening, I received a phone call from Monica . She was at a wedding reception at the Tarry-A-While Resort in Bridgton, Maine . Her son, Mikel had just gotten married earlier that afternoon, and the celebration was in full swing on the property.
Monica told me that during the actual wedding ceremony, the five-year-old ring bearer had shown up at the altar with only one ring. He still had the groom’s wedding band, but the bride’s wedding ring was completely missing, from the ring pillow. YIKES!!!
After quite a bit of panic (and I’m told that is a massive understatement), a wedding guest kindly offered up her own wedding ring to the bride so the ceremony could proceed. 💍
Once the ceremony finished, the wedding party headed off to take photos on the property overlooking Highland Lake . While they were away, the guests jumped into action. Everyone searched the grass along the path taken by the young ring bearer. After a lengthy search, the ring was nowhere to be found, and everyone eventually headed to the reception.
Thankfully, Monica follows The Ring Finders of Maine and knew exactly who to call. Most of the wedding party was staying at the resort and would be checking out after a morning farewell breakfast. I promised Monica that I would be there bright and early at 7:00 AM to search the path, taken by the wedding party. I was praying I would find it before everyone left, after the breakfast.
Cheryl and I left Saco, Maine at approximately 5:00am and arrived at the resort just before 7:00 AM. Monica and Mikel quickly met us and took us to the ceremony site. The groom asked me not to use the name of the ring bearer, to protect his privacy.
The poor young ring bearer felt like he had ruined everyone’s day and was incredibly upset. Even though everyone consoled him and told him it was just an accident, he still felt terrible this morning. Of course, I will always abide by a family’s wishes. Accidents happen, and there is no need to make anyone feel worse!
Mikel showed me the muster area where the wedding party started their procession. It wasn’t a long walk to the altar, but it was a beautiful, thick, grassy lawn—the perfect place for a wedding ring to hide.
I was told the ring bearer had tripped and stumbled a few times on his way down the aisle. He never fell, but they knew the area between the guest chairs was of particular interest because that is where he got tripped up.
I decided to start the search at the muster area and walk the exact route of the procession, paying close attention to the aisle. I started slowly and worked my way toward the altar. I was getting quite a few signals, as expected at an old resort, but nothing to get excited about yet. I checked anything that resembled the signature of a woman’s gold ring using my pinpointer.
As the search continued, a few more members of the wedding party showed up to help with a visual search. As I headed straight down the aisle, Monica, Mikel, and a few others moved chairs out of the way for me.
Approaching the middle of the aisle, I received a very loud, repeatable low tone. I couldn’t see anything in the thick grass, so I used my pinpointer to pinpoint the target. As I parted the blades of grass, there it was: a white gold and diamond wedding ring! 💎
The moment I picked it up and everyone saw it, cheers and screams filled the air. The relief was immediate and genuine.
The wedding ring was found dead center in the grassy aisle, right where the young ring bearer had stumbled. It is truly amazing how easily a ring can stay completely hidden from the human eye in the grass like that.
After the usual high-fives, hugs, and handshakes, Mikel went to get his wife to present her with the ring. Their plan was to head back down to the altar before leaving and place the ring on her finger with everyone who was still there. First, though, they had to get to that breakfast. I bet the mood was much lighter this morning now that the ring was found! I truly hope the ring bearer feels much better now, too.
Cheryl and I never did meet the bride, but I know her day just got tenfold better.
Thankfully, Monica knew exactly who to call, and she was incredibly grateful for the quick response. As I always like to say: “If it matters to you, it matters to us.”
I have the best job in the world, and I love what I do!

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Hearing Aid Lost In Saco, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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“They cost thousands of dollars, look exactly like bark mulch, and completely disappear in thick bushes. When Patricia lost her brand-new hearing aid in her Saco, Maine Saco yard, she thought it was gone forever…”

On Thursday, June 11th, I received a call from Patricia. She was in her yard with Maddie, a good friend and my former neighbor of 28 years. I have also known Patricia through Maddie and see her fairly regularly. My wife, Cheryl, and I always see her while we are all out walking the neighborhood. Patricia lives just around the corner from me, maybe a quarter to a third of a mile away, in Saco, Maine.

Patricia told Maddie that she had lost one of her hearing aids the previous day while doing yard work. She had searched for it but just couldn’t find it on the lawn or in the hedges. Patricia now had Maddie assisting her, but they still couldn’t locate it. They were even raking the lawn and underneath the bushes, but the hearing aid remained elusive. Now that they were both hot, sweaty, and fatigued due to the humid weather, Maddie suggested that Patricia give me a call to search for it with my metal detector.

Once she called, Patricia asked me if a metal detector would even be able to find a hearing aid. I explained that it depended on the type of hearing aid and how much metal was in it. There is usually very little metal in the devices themselves, but I told her that I could check her remaining hearing aid to see if I could detect it. I knew if worst came to worst, I could use my Goldfield program. Once I arrived at Patricia’s, I could see her and Maddie still searching. Patricia had her remaining hearing aid in a small sandwich bag and placed it on the grassy lawn. As I checked it, my detector was barely picking up the target while using my All Terrain Low Conductor program with my smallest and most sensitive coil, the M8. The M8 is just an 8” elliptical coil, but it is very sensitive to small, low-conductive targets.

Once I changed the program to “Goldfield,” the hearing aid came in loud and clear. But, there are drawbacks to using this program. The Goldfield program worked because a small hearing aid contains microscopic electronic components and very thin wires that mimic the exact physical profile of a tiny gold flake or nugget. Standard metal detecting modes are tuned to find larger, highly conductive items like coins. They completely ignore tiny items with very low electrical conductivity. By contrast, the Goldfield mode forces the Manticore to use high-frequency, Multi-IQ technology and an open audio threshold. This makes the detector incredibly sensitive to minute, low-conductivity targets, allowing it to easily pick up the faint signal of the hearing aid’s internal circuitry where other programs would remain completely silent. Because Goldfield is designed for maximum sensitivity with minimal filtering, it is a very “noisy” and chatty program. If you try to use it in a park, backyard, or iron-infested old homesite, the sheer amount of trash, nails, and foil will completely overwhelm the audio. It requires a practiced ear to distinguish the smooth “zip-zip” rise of a gold target from the erratic chatter of ground noise or EMI (electromagnetic interference).

So, with the coil and program all picked out, it was time to search. Patricia told me that her hearing aid has Bluetooth GPS tracking. The hearing aid was not connecting to the Bluetooth once she moved away from the bushes and the lawn area around them. This meant the hearing aid would be in a very small area of maybe 20’ x 20’ at the most. We then tried my pinpointer on her remaining hearing aid, and the pinpointer picked it up with no problem. Even my smallest coil couldn’t penetrate the very thick bushes. After scanning the top and sides of the bushes, I came up empty.

I asked Patricia if she would like to use the pinpointer and probe the bushes with it while I searched the lawn. Patricia jumped at the opportunity. As I was searching the grass and Patricia was probing the bushes, Maddie was still visually searching. It was an all-hands-on-deck search. As I was finishing up the grass area where the Bluetooth would still connect, Patricia was on her hands and knees searching the bark mulch just below the bushes. I decided to start searching the bark mulch on the opposite end from Patricia. Once I caught up to where Patricia was searching, I went to the other side of the hedges and started searching. As I was working my way down the hedges, I heard Patricia excitedly scream out, “Dennis, I found it!” Patricia then picked the hearing aid up and showed both Maddie and myself, and the smiles and happy laughs broke out.

I was just so happy for Patricia. She has only had her hearing aids for 6 months, and if you have ever priced these things out, you know how expensive they can be. It’s just amazing how difficult it is to see them. It blended in with the bark mulch perfectly. It felt great to be able to help a friend and neighbor here in Saco. It doesn’t matter if the lost item is an engagement ring, a property marker, or a hearing aid—if it matters to you, it matters to us. We have the best job in the world. I love my job.

 

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Wallet Lost On Bryant Pond, Maine, While Skating, Found Years Later, In The Water, With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I was searching a Maine pond,  with my metal detector. It was a routine outing until a target changed everything. In my scoop was a  a silt covered wallet. Upon opening it, the remarkably preserved IDs and cards suggested it had been submerged for two to four years. There was 7 coins, inside the wallet and that is what set the detector off.  Recognizing the challenge of tracking down a stranger from a distance, I immediately reached out to the community, hoping a strong connection to Arlington, Massachusetts, would yield a clue.
The major breakthrough came when I  contacted the Arlington Massachusetts Police Department, which set off a rapid and impressive chain of events. Within a mere sixteen hours, Suzanne Trunfio and her dedicated team of the Arlington PD traced the owner’s family, eventually contacting her sister. The sister confirmed that the owner had indeed been ice skating on that very Maine pond a few winters ago when the wallet vanished into the snow, on the pond. Even though the young woman had since moved away from Arlington to attend school, the department’s swift detective work easily bridged the geographic gap.
The search reached a heartwarming conclusion when Officer Trunfio emailed me with the owner’s updated address in Salem, Massachusetts. The department expressed deep gratitude for my efforts with The Ring Finders , praising the work we do to return lost treasures to their rightful owners. Thanks to the seamless cooperation between my metal detecting efforts and an exemplary police department, this long-lost wallet is finally on its way back home. Remember, “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” I have the best job in the world and I love my job.
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Gold and Diamond Pendant Lost In The Scarborough Maine Beach Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Thursday, June 3rd, I received a phone call at approximately 1:30 PM. John was in desperate need of my services after his necklace had broken.

He and a group of friends were enjoying their day at Ferry Beach, Scarborough, ME, when the chain snapped and his Gold and Diamond pendant vanished into the sand. John and his friends had already spent 45 frantic minutes searching the area around their setup, but unfortunately, the diamond pendant was nowhere to be found.
I told John I would be there in 30-40 minutes, depending on Route 1 traffic, through Saco, Maine and the Town of Scarborough, Maine. He mentioned he had a pretty good idea of where it dropped—about a 10’ x 10’ area. A small space like that should be quick… if the pendant was actually there!
Cheryl and I left as soon as I gathered up my equipment, and Cheryl loaded up her beach chair. If this recovery turned out to be a long one, she was going to enjoy the beautiful afternoon on the beach! 🏖️
Once we arrived, John met us in the parking lot. He and his friends were set up at an area of the beach known as “The Point.” I knew “The Point” well—I actually recovered an engagement ring for a client there a few years back!
After a short 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot, we arrived at the group’s location. John and a few friends pointed to an area between a backpack and a sign. A couple of other friends thought it was closer to the beach towels.
As you all know by now, I do not like to jump around while performing a search. I strictly grid search from Point A to Point B. Because of that, I decided to start at the towels and work my way toward the backpack and sign so I wouldn’t have to double back.
Just before swinging, I placed a small gold ring in the sand to calibrate my metal detector and let the client see and hear exactly what tone I was looking for. Calibration finished, it was time to hunt.
I had taken exactly 8 steps when I heard it—the unmistakable low tone of gold.
Could this really be the pendant after just 18 seconds of searching? 🤔
As I probed the warm sand with my pinpointer, I found the target. The moment the group saw it, screams of “Oh my God!” and “That was so fast!” rang out across the beach. Arms went into the air and applause broke out.
Relief, happiness, and big smiles—it never gets old. Always a feel-good moment!
So, even though Cheryl never even got the chance to set up her beach chair, I consider a fast recovery a great day. Another precious pendant is right back where it belongs. We truly have the best job in the world, and I love what I do!
Remember: “If it matters to you, it matters to us.” 💍

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