Jim Wren, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 2 of 31

Engagement Ring Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Surfside SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This little adventure started on Sept. 1, 2025, just before 9 am, when I received a text message from Piper saying, “Good morning, my name is Piper K., and I lost my engagement ring yesterday at the beach on Surfside. We looked absolutely everywhere, and I think it’s gone for good. But I ended up finding out about ring finders, so I thought I’d give it a try. Is there any way you could help?” I called her and got a few more details like, time of loss, in the ocean or dry sand, if the ocean – how deep? She told me it was lost about noon and in the dry sand. She also mentioned that she had taken the ring off and put it on a towel. As they were leaving, the towel was picked up and shaken off. This is when she thinks the ring was lost. Thankfully she lost it before high tide, so we had a good shot at it around low tide. I asked her to send me the address, which she did. I checked the tide tables and text her that I’d be there about 7 pm. This would put us about 2 hours before low tide. She agreed so we had a plan.

I showed up at the address she provided and let her know I was there. Piper, her fiancé Jordan and her brother met me in the driveway, and we walked a short distance to the beach. Piper showed me the north boundary line, and I had Jordan mark off the south boundary line. I started a north/south grid and after about my 5th line – BOOM! I dug a scope of sand, dumped it out on the beach and spread it out with my foot. I saw her ring, picked it up and held it so Piper could see it. I love the expressions I see when they see their treasure after thinking it was lost forever.

Piper – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Have a safe trip home and I wish you and Jordan all the best in life.

Jim

 

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Citadel Ring Lost, Found in the Dry Sand and Returned Pawley’s Island SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Saturday, August 30th, I received a call from Tabathia saying her husband Matt had lost his Citadel Ring in the surf and asked if I could help find it. She explained that Matt was rinsing his hands off at the ocean’s edge when he noticed his ring was gone. She also mentioned that they got caught in a rainstorm and had to quickly pack up and run for the car. I agreed to help and took a look at the tide tables. Neither that evening nor the next morning was going to work. We agreed to meet at 6 pm on Sunday and I could work the outgoing tide. Tabathia sent me a text with the address and confirming some of the other details.

Sunday evening, I sent Tabathia a text telling her I was on my way. She responded they were also on their way and would give me an update. I was about 15 minutes out and got a text from Tabathia saying, “The parking lot is a mess and full. If you want to text when you are close, I can try to get up there to get you a space.” As I was driving down the street to get onto the beach parking, the cars were lined up bumper to bumper. As I got closer to the lot, I noticed a parking area that was chained off with a man across the street from it barbequing. I took a shot and rolled down my window and explained to him that I was going to look for a man’s Citadel ring on the beach and pointed to my sign on the side of the car. Without hesitation, he walked across the street and moved the chain so I could pull it the spot. He wished me luck and I made my way to the beach to meet Matt who was waiting for me. As Matt and I made our way to meet Tabathia and their 3 children, he showed me the area his ring should be in. I met Tabathia and went to work searching from the top of the slope out to about thigh deep. After doing the slope with no luck, the 3 of us came up with plan B of searching the top of the slope. Matt and Tabathia, both showed me the approximate area they had been set up the day before. I did about 5 lines and hit a monster of a signal, a couple of scoops of sand and I saw Matt’s gold Citadel ring in the sand. I picked it up, walked back to where they were sitting and held it up for them to see. Their expressions were priceless, which is why I love finding people’s lost treasures and getting it back where it belongs.

Tabathia and Matt – Thank you for calling me to help find Matt’s hard-earned ring.

Jim

 

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The Ring Finders of North Myrtle Beach SC Local News WBTW Channel 13 Report

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This is a follow up news report with video on my recovery and return of Heather’s 2-24K Rings.

https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-strand/north-myrtle-beach/the-ring-finder-man-finds-missing-jewelry-along-grand-strand-beaches/

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Silver Promise Ring Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 8/21/25 at 3:20 pm I received a text message from Nataly saying, “Hi! How much would you charge to find a ring? I’m at n Myrtle Beach.” I called Nataly at the number attached to the text and told her I do this on a reward/gratuity basis. I asked her the details of the loss, and she told me the ring had been put in a shirt pocket and then in a bag. At some point the shirt was taken out of the bag not knowing the ring was in the pocket. That’s when the ring fell into the soft sand and disappeared. At first, I thought she was in Myrtle Beach (because I didn’t see the small ‘n’) so I told her I could be there in 30-40 minutes. I asked her to send me the address and was out the door. When I got the text with the address, I called her to confirm it was in North Myrtle Beach, which she did. So, my drive time was down to 15 minutes.

When I arrived on the beach, I met Nataly (big sister to Rebekah) and Jondavid (gave the ring to Rebekah) under the umbrella, in the area where the ring was lost. I turned on my Equinox 800, took 2 steps and hit a solid 21 on the VDI (visual display indicator). Being a silver ring, I knew I had the ring. Took a couple of shallow scoops of sand, shook it out and saw the ring. I held the scoop up so Jondavid could reach in and grab the ring. Nataly told me that Rebekah was in the hotel pool, so I decided we walk up and surprise her. When we got to the pool, Nataly said to Rebekah, “Look at the ring I found.” Rebekah instantly knew her ring was found. Big smiles all around!

Nataly – Thank you for calling me and allowing me to help find Rebekah’s promise ring

Jim

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24K Yellow Gold Wedding Band and 24K Yellow Gold Anniversary Ring Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started on 8/18/25 at 11:31 am, and what an adventure it turned out to be. I received a text message from Heather saying, “Hi, looking for help. Lost my wedding ring and anniversary ring today.” I replied for her to call me and sent her my number. When she called, I asked her what time she lost it and where she was on the beach. She said she lost it about 45 minutes ago and she was sitting at the water’s edge. A quick check of the tide tables for North Myrtle Beach, and she lost it about an hour after low tide. I told her I was on my way, knowing that I missed my chance with the tide. I had little chance of finding her rings at that time, but it gave me a chance to see what I was up against. When I met Heather on the beach she showed me a picture of the rings. She stated the wedding band was yellow gold and about 3mm in width. The anniversary ring was thinner and had 5 diamonds on it, both rings were 24 Karat yellow gold. She pointed out where she had been sitting and mentioned she had moved a little south for a while and then back again. She also mentioned she had been knocked over by a wave. I tried doing an east west grid perpendicular to the surf but wasn’t making any progress. After maybe 45 minutes of getting pounded by the waves, getting my metal scoop slammed into my shin causing a cut, and getting knocked down twice. I decided now was not the right time! I told Heather I’d be back for the evening low tide which was just before 11 pm. On the way home I called my buddy Burwin to see if he was interested in a nighttime hunt. He jumped at the chance. Having someone to help on night hunts, helps with covering the area twice as quick. It’s also good to have someone watching your back, literally. Burwin and I hit the beach later that evening and the conditions were worse than earlier. We had no luck and called it a night after about 2 hours of searching. So, I already decided I’d be out the next morning an hour or so before low tide.

The next morning, I was getting ready to leave when I noticed I had a voice mail and text message from Katie H. Her text message read, “Hi Jim, My name is Katie H. and I’m a reporter with WBTW news 13. I just left you a voice mail trying to get in contact with you. We are hoping to do a story on you and your company and the recent ring you just found for a visiting couple in North Myrtle. I would love to shadow or follow you for a day and to interview you regarding your process and why you love to do what you do. If you’re able to speak today please text or call me back and even if that isn’t possible but you are available sometime this week, let me know that as well and we can set something up! Thank you! Kindest Regards, Katie H.” I called Katie back and she explained what she wanted to do. I told her, “it just so happens I’m on my way to a ring search and she was more than welcome to come along.” We agreed to meet at the location, and I was on my way. I got there before she did and started my east/west grid search. The sea and weather conditions were better, and I thought I’d have a much better chance of finding Heather’s 2 rings. When Katie showed up, I met her at the top of the slope, and she did my interview. When she finished, I told her how I do my searches and started an east/west grid from the high tide line to about knee to waist deep. On my second line and as Katie was recording, I hit a solid 14 on the VDI (visual display indicator). This is what I was looking for on a gold wedding band, but it’s also where pull tabs ring up as. I dug a scoop, shook the wet sand out of it and saw Heather’s gold wedding band. I pulled it out of the scoop and showed it to Katie. We walked up the beach so I could call Heather. When I called it went to voice mail, and I told Heather “I’ve got something for you.” Katie and I walked back down the beach to where I found the 1st ring, and in just a few more steps I hit Heather’s Anniversary ring. Katie and I walked back up the beach so I could call Heather again. This time Heather answered and said, “I’m right behind you.” I turned around and handed Heather her 2 rings and got the biggest bear hug. I told Heather who Katie was, and Heather agreed to being interviewed. This entire search, recovery and return couldn’t have gone any better. After Katie’s interview with Heather, I turned around to Katie and said something like, “This is why I do this.” Katie got the message! I’ll post the news story when I get it.

Katie – Thank you so much for the opportunity to show what it is I do and why.

Heather – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasures. It was great to get them back to you where they belong.

Jim

 

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Man’s White Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 8/17/25 at about 1:30 pm I got a text message from Faith saying, “Hi Jim! My cousin just lost his wedding band in the ocean. How does this process work?” I replied with, “Call me so I can get the details.”  Her response was, “OK thanks. I’ll have him reach out.” Then about 5:30 pm, I got a text from Michael saying, “Hello, hope all is well! A group of family members told me about your page, and they might have already messaged you about my wedding band. It was 1-1:30 pm on 8/16 (yesterday) when I lost my band in the edge of the water. I was at public beach access on 15th Ave S to the right of the storm/sewer pipe. I wasn’t past the storm/sewer pipe in the water and my wedding band came off my finger. I know it’s a long shot but if you ever find a ring that looks like this let me know. Thanks for the help! (He included a picture of his ring).” I immediately text him back saying, “You were right around high tide when you lost it yesterday. I could come out about 8 tonight to look for it. I’d like you to meet me to show me the right area. Call me and I sent my number.” When he called, I confirmed basically everything he told me, and we set it up to meet at 8 pm.  About 6:30 pm I got antsy and looked at the tide tables again. I figured the tide should be low enough that his ring should be out from under the water and in the wet sand. I text him and told him I’d be there at 7 and he responded he’d see me there.

When I got there, I met Mike and his mother-in-law, Terry, on the beach. Mike pointed out the area and Terry helped with a couple observations she had.  I started north of where Mike said he was. I do that so I’m not skipping around the beach from area to area. I started an east/west grid and worked across the beach. Finally, I got an iffy signal, nothing solid but a signal. I started taking scoops of sand out of the hole until I finally got a good steady signal. A couple of more scoops and I had the target out of the hole. When I dumped the sand out of the scoop and spread the sand out with my foot, I saw Michael’s ring sitting in the sand. I took the ring down and washed the sand off in the surf and made my way to where Michael and Terry were standing. I held the ring up and smiled. Michael was so relieved and happy.

Michael – Thanks for giving me the chance to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

 

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Woman’s White Gold Wedding Band Set Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned Garden City SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 8/16/25, just after 2:30 pm, I got a call from Welton saying his wife had lost her wedding band set in the surf while playing volleyball with their daughter. I asked him about what time, and he responded about 45 minutes ago. Looking at the tide tables, high tide was at 2:05 pm. I told him I’d be there at 4 pm, knowing I’d be in the surf working an outgoing tide.

I arrived just before 4 pm and met Welton in the parking lot of the condo they were staying in. As we walked out on the beach, I saw his wife Casey sitting in a beach chair staring into the surf. When I saw that, I knew I had to find her rings. I got a few more details from Casey and started a north/south gridline running parallel to the surf. I established the north and south border lines and was working the outgoing tide. After maybe 20 minutes and a little above my ankles deep, I hit it. It wasn’t a solid signal but enough to get my attention and make me dig. I had seen a picture of her ring and I made sure I was very careful with my scoop trying to get her ring out of the sand. Because of that, it took me a few extra scoops of sand to get the ring out. When I had it in the scoop and saw it, I reached down and pulled it out of the scoop. I looked at Casey and gave her a big smile, as if to let her know I had it. I also gave Welton and head nod to let him know. Casey didn’t move until I walked back towards her and held out the ring pinched between my fingers. When she saw her ring she was overwhelmed with emotion. Big hugs from Casey and Welton made it perfect.

Welton and Casey – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation and have a very safe trip home.

Jim

   

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Man’s Platinum Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Holden Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 7/26/25 right at 6:30 pm, I received a text from Rachel saying, “Hi, My husband lost his ring in the ocean at about 4:15 pm on Holden Beach, Low tide. Do you think you can help or is it pointless to try? What do you think?” We went back and forth with questions and answers, like how deep, how did it come off, what kind and metal is the ring, and if they would be there the next day at low tide. Unfortunately, Rachel and Henry, her husband was leaving the next day at noon and low tide wasn’t until 4:05 pm. I also learned that Henry was at least waist deep when he lost it. Neither one of the situations were good. I had to rely on Google earth maps to try and pinpoint the location, and I don’t like going in the ocean without someone keeping an eye on me. I also ask Henry and Rachel to see if their landlord would allow me to park at the rental.

Meanwhile, I called my good friend Burwin, who has helped me more times than I can count. In fact he’s taken many of the calls I couldn’t because of vacation, busy with another call, or I just wasn’t available, and he has always come through. This time was no different. When I called him, about the only questions he had were, where and when are we going and what are we looking for. I told him that Henry had lost his Platinum wedding band in about waist deep water on Holden Beach. As always, he agreed, and I told him I’d pick him up the next day about 2:15 pm.

The next morning, I got word from Rachel that the landlord agreed to us parking in the rental driveway, which was a huge help. I picked Burwin up at 2:15 and we headed up to Holden Beach. On the way, Burwin and I discussed the game plan, and Burwin mentioned the fact that the wind would be blowing from the south. Since Holden Beach runs east and west, a south wind meant that any wind would more than likely kick the waves up making a more interesting search. When we arrived and found our way out to the beach, Burwin would do an east/west parallel to the beach search starting at waist deep water. I took a north/south search perpendicular to the beach going out to about waist deep. Even the best of plans needs to be tweaked, and this was no different. At waist deep the waves were breaking over our heads and pushing us around like we were bobbers. After about 30 minutes or so, I went up the beach to check my grid lines and make sure I was still online. As I’m coming back down the beach, I noticed Burwin was coming out of the water. Burwin doesn’t come out of the water unless he’s finished, or he’s found what he’s looking for. As soon as I looked at him, he had the smile! I knew he had it. With everything said and done, Burwin was chest to shoulder deep, waves breaking over his head and getting knocked off the target about 3-4 times and still came up with Henry’s ring. Great Job Burwin! A platinum ring should usually be stamped on the inside, but neither Burwin nor I have good enough eyesight to see it. We ended up asking a young lady sitting on the beach and she confirmed it was stamped Platinum. I took a picture of the ring sitting on a shell and sent it to Henry and Rachel saying “KA-Boom!”

Monday, I put the ring in the mail, and they got it today, Wednesday.

Burwin – Once again, Thank You!

Henry/Rachel – Thank you for contacting me. Wish you two only the best!

Jim

 

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Wedding/Engagement Ring Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 7/31/25 and just before 2 pm, I received a text saying, “Hi Jim. My name is Jennifer B and I lost my wedding/engagement ring about an hour ago in front of the Sand Castle Ocean Front Resort South Beach. I was about thigh deep in the ocean and got wiped out by a wave and lost the ring. Sending a picture. Thank you!” I checked the tide tables and figure she lost it about 45 minutes before high tide. By now the tide would have turned. By the time I’d get there it’d be a couple hours past high tide and easily researchable. I called the number attached to the text and spoke with Jennifer. I got a few more details and told her I’d be there in about 30-35 minutes. She agreed and I was on my way.

When I arrived, I easily found a place to park and walked on the beach. I called Jennifer telling her I was on the beach, and she directed me to where she was. When we met, she explained what had happened and looking at the conditions I completely understood how she lost it. Mother Nature wasn’t in a good mood; the sea breeze had picked up enough to blow the waves straight into the beach. There was also a tough at the bottom of the slope which meant the waves were crashing right where I thought her ring would be. I started a grid search both parallel and perpendicular to the shoreline and wasn’t having any luck. Twice, I tried to venture into the tough and both times waves knocked me flat. There were people including Jennifer, trying to help me get up and grab my detector and scoop. I wasn’t having any fun at this point. There were still a few hours before low tide, so I decided to call it for now and come back later. I apologized to Jennifer for not finding it but didn’t say I was coming back at that point. I needed to check the home front and grab some dinner for the wife and me. Just before low tide, I text Jennifer saying I was going back to try again and hit the road. I arrived back right at low tide and the conditions were much better. I started a grid search at the north end of the search area and about mid tide. I was able to make my way out to waist deep. My 3rd line, I hit a solid 11 on the VDI (visual display indicator), exactly what I expected for a lady’s Platinum ring. One scoop and I had it out of the hole, gently shook the sand out and saw her ring. I took a quick picture, sent it to Jennifer and said “Bingo.” I also asked where she was, and I’d bring it to her. I called her and found out her and the 4 ladies she was vacationing with were at a local restaurant, so I was on my way. I met Jennifer and her emotional response was priceless.

Jennifer – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure and get it back where it belongs.

Jim

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Diamond Stud Earring Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach, NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 7/29/25 just before noon, I got a call from Nancy saying she had lost a Diamond Stud Earring on the beach and wondered if I could help find it. My first question was if it was lost in the dry sand. She responded it was. I only have one detector that can find stud earrings, my Gold Bug 2, and it’s useless in wet sand or the ocean because of the mineralization. Plus, there’s just a small post on stud earrings and it’s usually not enough metal for most detectors. So, I felt we had a good chance of finding her earring. I was just finishing up my yard work and told her I could be there in about 45 minutes. She agreed. Enroute to the beach, I called her asking if I could park in her driveway. Parking isn’t easy on the beach communities. She sent me her address and directions out to the beach to where she was.

When I arrived, it was a quick walk out to the beach to where Nancy was set up. She showed me the area. She explained that a bug was on her ear and when she went to brush it away, she hit her ear and the earring flew off. Before I got started, I asked if she had the other earring that I could test. She did, which made it a lot easier. I tweaked the Gold Bug detector and started searching a 5×5 foot plus area. To help me sift the sand, I brought along a child’s sand sifter with tiny holes. I got a few targets that turned out to be very tiny pieces of aluminum. I must have tested her other earring 4-5 times to make sure I was able to detect it. Finally, I got a signal that was good enough to check out. I laid down in the sand, ran the sifter under the small area and filled up the sifter with sand. I started feeling through the sand and uncovered Nancy’s earring. I was as shocked as Nancy was when I handed her earring back. She told me that her husband had gotten her those earrings when they were in Grad school and before they got married. She also said how they were very sentimental and special to her.

Nancy – Thank you for allowing me to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

 

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