Jim Wren, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 2 of 22

Sentimental Sterling Silver Ring with Green Emerald Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got a call from Nancy saying she had lost a very special ring with a green emerald stone in the ocean. She said the emerald had belonged to her grandmother and had been passed down to her. She also stated that she had lost it about 30 minutes prior and she was right at the water line. I knew this was a race against the incoming tide; I got a few more details and told her I’d be there in about 45 minutes.

When I got there, I met Nancy on the beach and she showed me the area. It was maybe 10 feet across and as far out as I could take it. Unfortunately the sea breeze had kicked up and the ocean was hitting the 2nd breaker with a lot of force. I started a grid search going north and south perpendicular to the beach. After, maybe 5 lines, I called it. Between the waves and the current I was having a rough time keeping my grid lines straight and just getting knocked around. I told Nancy I’d be back around 5, thinking once the tide made its turn at 2 pm I’d have 3 hours with an outgoing tide.

I got back about the time I said and Nancy was waiting. I started my grid search and after an hour and a half and covering the suspected area, I was coming up empty. So, the next step was to extend the area north and south and start over. After another forty-five minutes to an hour, I was working my way back up the middle of the search area towards the high tide line. I got a solid 21-22 on the VDI, which is what I was looking for on a Sterling Silver item. I dug the target out of the hole, spread the sand with my foot and there Nancy’s ring sat. After I found it, I tried to figure out how I missed it the first time. Looking at my grid lines, none of them were straight and all curved to the right. There is no other explanation, other than I missed it the first go through. I took a picture and sent it and a text to Nancy saying “BOOM.” She called me a short time later, not believing it was found. I dropped it off at her house on my way home. She was extremely happy and thankful that she got both her ring and her grandmother’s emerald back.

Nancy – thank you for allowing me to help find your precious and sentimental treasure.

Jim

   

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Man’s Palladium Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean for 3 Days, Found and Returned Sunset Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Saturday, July 29th at 9 a.m. I got the following text, “Hi Jim, My name is Jude, and I found your number on the Ring finders website. I lost my wedding ring a couple of days ago on Sunset Beach. We’ve been staying near the 17th St boardwalk. I lost the ring in the ocean near where the boardwalk meets the beach, maybe about 20 yards to the east. It was close to high tide when I lost it, maybe about 30 feet into the water. I don’t know if you’re able to look for it for me? Unfortunately, we leave this morning for Raleigh. We have to check out by 10. Let me know if you can help. I’ll need to call from my in-laws phone since I’m on a U.K. number, visiting from London.” About the same time, I got a call from Jude’s wife Katelyn who gave me additional details as well as a pin drop. Within minutes I got another lost ring call for two rings lost in the dry sand on a different beach. Unfortunately, I was tied up for the next hour or so, so I put the rings on hold for the time being.

When I was free, I devised a plan that I’d get the 2 rings first, since they were in the dry sand. Then I’d look for Jude’s ring since I still had a few hours before it’d be high tide on this day. After recovering the 2 rings I headed for Sunset Beach to look for Jude’s ring. When I got to the beach, it was pretty empty except for a family that was sitting in the exact spot I needed to hunt. I searched for a couple of hours working my way around the family as much as I could, basically trying to wait them out. I also searched both east and west of the suspected loss. I sent Katelyn a picture of the family and told her that they were exactly where I needed to be and that I’d be back between 9-10 p.m. I felt pretty confident that Jude’s ring was still where he dropped it three days earlier. Although Sunset Beach gets hit very hard by other detectionist, this area was kind of out of the way for beach goers.

I always get antsy waiting for the tides to get where I’d like them. So, I got to the beach about 8:30 p.m. It was late enough that it was pitch dark. As instructed by Jude and Katelyn, I walked straight out from the beach access boardwalk. It was a couple of hours before low tide so I had plenty of time. If the ring was there, it should be out from under the ocean and stuck in the wet sand. I turned on my equinox 800 and went to work. It’s been a long time since I’ve found a Palladium ring and couldn’t remember what the VDI (visual display indication or numbers) would be. I was thinking it’d be in the high teens. I started a north/south grid line, perpendicular to the surf line. My fourth line I got a solid loud 19 VDI just out of the surf in the wet sand. I took a big scoop of sand and laid it out on the beach and checked the hole. I had the target out. I turned my headlamp on, got down on all fours and started spreading the sand out. There it was, just laying there. I’m not sure if it was the ring or me that let out a big sigh of relief, as if saying, “FOUND!” Not really, but I know I was sure happy. I didn’t have my glasses to read the engraving, so I asked a couple out walking the beach if they could. The young lady read enough that I knew I had the right ring. I text Jude and Katelyn at 9:06 p.m. with a picture and said, “Bang!!!! The engraving all matches.” Luckily, they’re staying with in-laws another week before they head home to London, UK. I got the ring in the mail and got it back to them on Aug. 2nd. It just so happens, their 10 year wedding anniversary was Aug 3rd. So Happy Anniversary you two!!!!

Jude/Katelyn – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Have a safe trip home. The 3rd picture is your ring perched on roughly a million year old Megalodon Tooth.

Jim

        Found Sunset Beach NC

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Platinum Wedding and Engagement Rings Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Holden Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Saturday, July 29th around 1030 a.m. I got a text saying “Hey Jim, my wife lost her rings on Holden beach this morning. Are you able to help us find them?” Instead of texting back and forth, I called the number. I talked to Preston, who explained, either on the phone or after I got there that his wife, Ashley had taken her 2 rings off and set them in the seat of her chair. After doing so, she applied sun screen to their two year old daughter. Ashley had forgotten about her rings until her daughter told her she had thrown them into the sand. That started the family searching for the rings in the sand. Unable to find either ring, Preston took to Google to find a metal detector that he could rent. I don’t remember how, but he eventually found me through The Ring Finders. I told him I’d be there in an hour.

When I got there, Preston was waiting for me in the driveway and we walked across the street to the beach. Once in the area of the loss, I got to meet Ashley and their little culprit. I started a grid search and cleared one possible area and moved on to the more probable spot. A couple of steps, and I got the VDI (visual display indicator) I was expecting. Took a scoop of sand and dumped it out on the beach. I had one target out of the hole, which turned out to be the wedding ring that I handed to Preston. Next scoop out of the hole held the engagement ring. Both Rings recovered and back where they belong.

Preston and Ashley – thank you for allowing me to help find your treasures. Have a great rest of your vacation.

Jim

   

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Sentimental Sterling Silver Necklace Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Just about 3:30 p.m. on Friday, July 28th, I got a text saying “Is this the guy who finds rings and stuff at the beach? I don’t know how to word it better.” I responded saying, “Yes, what you got?” He responded, “So I just lost a chain maybe 1 hour ago and I’m at a place named crescent sands. I was out body-surfing and it fell off and I’m not sure if it’s been washed up or not. I’ve had the chain for over 10 years and was wondering if you possibly could give me any advice on finding it?” At this point, it’d be easier to talk to him than text, so I called him. We introduced ourselves and I learned his name was Anson. I got a few more details, including confirming the time and how deep he was in the water. A quick check of the tide tables, and he was waist deep a little over an hour before high tide. This was good, in that, the closer I could get out there near low tide, the necklace should be in the wet sand. I told Anson I’d be there at 9 p.m. which was about an hour before low tide. Meanwhile I’m watching the weather and it looks more and more like a thunderstorm is brewing.

About 8 p.m. the skies were clouding up and the light rain started. I decided to get there early and try and beat the storm. I arrived at the condo and text Anson saying, “I’m here early to beat the storm.” As I’m walking out on the beach I see lightening way off in the distance and over the ocean. It’s time to get started.  Anson and his younger brother came out of the condo as I’m working a perpendicular grid line to the surf line. We verified the search boarder lines on the condo and I continued the grid search, high tide line to about thigh deep in the ocean. After about an hour and almost at the end of the south end of the boarder, I got a great signal with a VDI of 15. With Sterling Silver I expected a higher VDI number, but at this point I’ll take any signal I could get. I dug a big scoop of sand, checked the hole which was clear, and spread the sand out on the beach. It was pitch black out there by now, so I turned on my headlamp. I started spreading out the sand with my hand, hoping to feel the target. All of a sudden I saw a section of Anson’s necklace appear out of the sand. Boom! I gently pulled the necklace out of the sand. I was able to get a half descent picture of it and sent it to Anson with a text saying “This it????” He immediately responded “yes that’s it, Oh my gosh.” The next thing I knew Anson and his brother came running up to me from down the beach. This is when I got the rest of the necklace story. Anson told me he had received the necklace from his father roughly 10 years ago and he’s been wearing it ever since. He then told me his dad had passed away one year ago. So the importance of this necklace was much more than priceless to him. I was truly honored to be able to help get this necklace back where it belonged. Another thing that touched me deeply is his last text to me – “And I wanna just say god bless you. You have made my life better.”

Anson – thank you young man!

Jim

   

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Man’s White Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Sunset Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got a text message at 10 p.m. Thursday, July 27th saying, “Hi Jim! I found your info on the Ring finder’s website. I lost my husband’s wedding ring at Sunset Beach this evening. Are you available to help search?” I called the number on the text and spoke with Ashley. She explained she had put her husband, Jonathan’s ring in her phone case for safe keeping. At some point she took the phone out of the case and was pretty sure the ring fell out into the ocean. I asked what time and she said about 3 hours ago. The timing was good because the tide had just reached low tide so now was the time to try. She asked if it’d be better to search in the morning. I told her that there’d be a good chance the ring wouldn’t be there because of all the early morning detectionist out hitting the beach.  I also told her I didn’t need light, per se because I had a head lamp and the machine beeps when I hit a target. I told her I’d be there in about 30-35 minutes and she agreed to meet me. It just happened that my youngest daughter, Lisa, her husband and my grandson were in town visiting, so I asked my daughter if she wanted to go. She quickly said yes so we were on our way.

When we arrived, Ashley and Jonathan were on the beach with flashlights hoping for the best. Ashley showed me a big hole that her brother had dug to give us an idea of the line the ring was lost on. Ashley moved me over a few steps east of the hole and I started a perpendicular grid line to the surf. I made my way down to the low tide line, which had now shifted and was coming back in. I made the turn to come back up the slope and got to about the mid tide line. All of a sudden I got a solid signal that rang up a 15 on the Equinox 800 VDI (visual display indicator).  It was a little higher number that I expected but it was within the range of a white gold man’s wedding band. I dug 2 big scoops of sand before I got the target out of the hole. I spread the sand out with my foot and started feeling around in the sand. Bang! I felt the ring and the big hole in the middle. I walked down to the water line and washed the ring off and walked over to where Ashley, Jonathan, and Lisa were standing and asked Ashley, “Is this it?” She handed the ring to Jonathan who checked the engraving and said, “It’s it!” Think they were all a little shocked that it was found, in the dark, and probably within 5 minutes. Ashley and Jonathan were so grateful and happy.

Ashley and Jonathan – thank you for allowing me to help find your lost treasure.

Jim

   

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Man’s Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Kure Beach, NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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At noon on Sunday, July 23rd, I received the following text message, “Hello Jim, my name is Robin and was given your name and number in the Kure Beach Locals group. My Husband, Jason, wedding ring came off in the ocean, he was sitting and a wave knocked him over and it came off and we were unable to find it. I didn’t know if this is something you would be interested in helping us with?  I appreciate your time and any guidance! Thank you!” I called her for some additional details. Thinking it was probably lost in the last day or two I asked what day and approximate time it was when it came off. I was a little stunned when she said it happened the previous Monday. With all the locals and tourist hitting the beaches daily with detectors, it’s unusual that a ring wouldn’t be found in a 6 day period. She also said it happened around 7 p.m. which was good because high tide that day was at 8 p.m. I told Robin I’d give it a shot and see what I could do. She sent some pictures and gave me a great indication of where the ring would be behind the condo they had rented. I grabbed my gear and started the hour and 35-minute drive to Kure beach.

When I arrived, there were quite a few people having fun in the sun. There wasn’t much beach between the high tide line and the outgoing tide with a pretty steep slope. My plan was to start on the south side of the 6-8 unite condo and work my way north. Although the tide was going out, the waves were crashing on the beach and the current was rough. I got about half way across the beach, when a family decided to move closer to the water and was directly in my grid pattern. It must have been a sign from God. I moved to the north end of the condo to work south. About my 5th grid line I got a solid 19 on my Equinox 800 VDI. This ring, being a Tiffany and Co yellow gold wedding band, I expected a VDI in the high teens. It took me a couple of scoops to dig the target out of the sand. When I had the target out of the hole, I spread the sand out with my foot. As I was checking out the sand, I saw the glistening of gold staring up at me. I cleaned the ring off, took a picture of it and sent it to Robin with a text that read “BA BOOM!!!” A few minutes later I tried calling with no answer. I loaded up the car and headed back home. About 5 minutes into the trip, Robin called. She was so excited and overcome with emotions she could hardly talk. These types of reactions are what make this all worthwhile.

Robin and Jason – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Wish you two all the best!

Jim

   

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Husband’s Wedding Band Lost in the Front Yard, Found and Returned Conway SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Saturday evening, July 1st, I got a text from Renee saying, “I need help finding my husband’s ring. We know the area of the yard just can’t find it.” I text back asking her to call me and gave her my number. When she called I asked for details and she said the ring got lost in the front yard. They had tried looking for it but were unable to find it. I told her I’d be there in the morning at 9:30 and she agreed.

When I showed up, Renee was waiting outside. She showed me the small area. Unfortunately, the path led directly into an area that included the power and cable boxes, as well as the water meter and line. With all the interference, the detector was pretty much useless. Hoping against hope; I detected the short grass up to and around the power area. I lowered the sensitivity way down on the Equinox and ran the coil over the rock area and the Saw grass plants to no avail. So time to pull out the pinpointer and check the Saw grass plants. I started probing the first plant and got a hit. I carefully separated the Saw grass blades so I wouldn’t make the target fall deeper into the plant. Renee had told me the ring was black tungsten with blue around the center. As I’m eyeballing the inside of the plant I saw the blue band. Boom, I reached in and pulled the ring out of its resting place. I was sitting on the ground with my back to Renee. I twisted around with the ring in my fingers and held it up for Renee to see. I stretched out and handed Renee the ring. I could see the relief in her face. So happy to get the ring back where it belongs.

Renee – Thank you for allowing me to help find the lost ring.

Jim

     

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Family Heirloom Yellow Gold Horseshoe Ring Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Cherry Grove NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got a call from Bill inquiring about finding a lost ring. I explained how I operate and asked when and where the ring was lost. He stated that his granddaughter had almost worn it in the ocean. She remembered not to and walked back up and put the ring in a chair. At some point the ring went from the chair into the dry sand. It amazes me sometimes; how very good intentions go south so easily. I got the condo address and told him I’d be there in about 15 minutes.

When I arrived, Bill was waiting in front of the condo, and we walked out to the beach. I met Kinsley and her mother January. I could see where the family had tried to find the ring to no avail. I asked Kinsley a few questions, one being what kind of ring it was. She stated a yellow gold horseshoe shape with diamonds, or something to that affect. I looked at her and said, “how about we get the ring back on your finger in less than 2 minutes.” She looked at me like I was nuts. January told me that the ring belonged to Kinsley’s grandmother and the ring had been passed down to Kinsley. Now there’s a new twist to this ring find, a family heirloom that has got to be found. I turned my Equinox 800 on and started a very tight grid line. The first target was a pull tab which rang up as a 13 on the machine. A small gold ring could also ring up at 13. I took a few more steps and hit a solid 10. I knew I had her ring then. I reached down in the sand and instantly felt it. I pulled it up out of the sand and showed Kinsley who put her hands over her face. She was very surprised and happy to get her ring back.

Bill – Thank you for calling and trusting me to help find Kinsley’s ring. Hope you and your family enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

 

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Man’s White Gold Wedding Band Goes Swimming in the Ocean, Found and Returned Sunset Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started on Monday, June26th when I got the following text message at 7:19am. “Good Morning, I got your info from your website. My son is visiting from Dallas and lost his wedding ring at sunset beach 2 nights ago. We were at the beach access between 13th and 14th, straight ahead at the water’s edge. It’s a white gold band engraved “Cris 4.29.22.” I’m hoping and praying you can help us. My name is Jill.” I didn’t see the text until almost 11am and when I did, I called her to get additional details. I found out her son, Tom had been in the water around 7pm, which was about an hour and a half after low tide. Jill also said she had a picture with a time stamp at 7:12pm of Tom showing the ring, and another one around 7:28pm of him without the ring. We discussed a few other factors and I told her I’d be there around 6 pm to work the outgoing tide. She said they’d be there around 7 pm to watch the sunset.

I showed up a little after six and stated a north/south gridline from the shore out to about waste deep water. I was chugging along when a young man approached me and asked if I was looking for a wedding ring. When I said yes, he informed me that I went one access to far. Well, I got a little more exercise if nothing else. When I met Jill, her husband, Steve, Tom and his wife Cris, they showed me about where they had been sitting while Tom was swimming in the ocean when he lost the ring. I started my north/south gridlines again, going out as far as the sand bar. I worked the area until just before sunset. I told Jill I’d be back at about 730am in the morning and called it a night.

I had called a buddy to see if wanted to tag along and I met him shortly after I arrived on the beach. My plan was to start west of where Jill and the family had been sitting on Saturday night and make my way east. There were very few targets, a few bottle caps and pull tabs and one penny. After about an hour and a half the tide turned and was now coming in. I kept the grid going and I was about 40 yards down the beach from where they had been sitting. I made the turn to come back towards shore when I got a signal. Being a white gold man’s wedding band I was expecting to see between 9 and 11 on the VDI (visual display indicator) depending on the width of the ring. This signal was bouncing around like there may be two targets close together. Or it could be caused by the way the target was sitting on the ocean floor, or the wave action off the sand bar, but a 9 kept popping up. I dug a big scoop of sand and checked the hole – I had the target in the scoop. I was going to walk back to shore to dump the scoop so I wouldn’t take the chance of losing the target back in the ocean. As I looked down on the scoop, I saw a shiny object and what looked like a half a ring. Again, not wanting to take any chances, I carefully reached down and pulled out a ring. I tried my best to read the inscription, but without my glasses I was lucky to see the ring! I walked over to my buddy and he couldn’t read it either. As we’re packing up to go, a nice lady was walking down the beach. I asked her if she could read the inscription and she read Cris 4 29 22. Bingo!! I had Tom’s ring. I took a picture and sent it and a text to Jill saying  “Ba Booooom!!!!” She instantly responded with “Whaatt??!!! We are soooooo excited!!!!” I called her and told her I’ll just run it by their house, if she’d give me the address since it’s on my way home. It was important to get the ring back to Tom because he and Cris were heading back to Dallas at 5pm. When I pulled into the driveway, everybody was waiting in the front yard. I handed Cris the ring so she could put it back on Tom’s finger. Returning someone’s treasure never gets old and their smiles tell it all.

Jill – Thank you for contacting me to help find Tom and Cris’ lost treasure.

Tom and Cris – I wish you two only the best. Take care of each other!!!

Jim

   

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IPhone Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned Cherry Grove, SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Sunday, Jun 25th, I was just about to start a search for a lost engagement ring when Chris walked up and asked if my detector could find a cell phone. I told him it could and he said his wife had lost her cell phone somewhere up in the dry sand. I told him as soon as I’m finished with the ring search, I’d be glad to help him.

When I completed the successful ring search, I found Chris and asked for the details on the phone. He told me that his wife had lost it somewhere between the pier and the beach access. That area was approximately 50 yards or so, so I asked him where they had been sitting and we’d start from there. He led me to an area underneath the pier and I swung the detector about 3 times and hit a good target. I dug a scoop of sand and he said there’s my wife’s phone as he reached in the hole and pulled it out. I love a quick recovery.

Chris – Thank you for letting me help find your wife’s phone!!

Jim

   

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