Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders

Lost Eight Ring Stack at Waimanalo Beach Park…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Ola from Texas who told me her friend Ashley from Michigan lost an eight ring stack in the dry sand at Waimanalo Beach Park.  I checked Google Maps and told Ola I could be there n about 30 minutes.  When I arrived, Ola hailed me from the top of the beach sand berm which was in view from the parking lot.  Ashley explained that her 8 rings were in the pocket of her shorts and as they changed locations on the beach at some point they must have fallen out.  I had the two of them draw in the sand an area that would cover everywhere they had been.  Thankfully, the area was fairly small.  Ola suggested I start on the far end from where we were standing so fired up the Manticore and proceeded towards that area.  On the way, I got a solid tone and there was ring #1.  I heard another target and scooped ring #2.  Ashley was very happy but we had six more to go.  I continued on the grid and about ten feet away detector overload.  Rings #3 through #8 were all in a clump together.  I let Ashley & Ola retrieve them from the scoop.  Two very happy young ladies.  We had a few laughs and hugs and you can see their joy in the picture above.  Aloha to Ashley & Ola!

 

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Lost Gold Wedding Band at Kailua Beach Park…FOUND!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from our fellow ring finder on Maui, Dave Sheldon saying a couple from Dallas Texas,  enjoying their 2nd Anniversary on Kailua Beach lost their Yellow Gold Wedding Band in the dry sand.  Shortly thereafter,  I got a call from Lauren who said her husband Daniel lost his ring in the dry sand.  I told her I could be there in about 30 minutes but parking would be chaotic.  When I arrived it took three full laps before a small car departed and there was just enough room for me to parallel park.  Daniel met me by the restroom, then walked me down to where the ring was lost.  Daniel had placed his ring in a “SHORE” ball cap without Lauren’s knowledge and when she put on the hat the ring flew out and disappeared into the soft sand.  They looked briefly but realized soon enough it was hopeless and contacted “The Ring Finders”  I started a grid search, first target a lead egg sinker.  Second target a dime.  Third target “gold ring” and the Anniversary is saved!  Aloha to Daniel & Lauren

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Lost Sentimental Yellow Gold Earring at Kaiona Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This Earring find began last Wednesday night when I received a text from Kim who lives in the Aliamanu area of Oahu.  She thought it would be either at Kaiona Beach known locally as Obama’s Beach as he has a home nearby or Nuuanu Park.  I missed her follow-up  call as the phone was showing a name I didn’t recognize.  We finally spoke again this morning and decided to meet at the beach around noon.  Kim met me in the parking area along the road and took me to the area of the beach she thought the Earring may have been lost.  She drew a line in the sand and I started a grid search in the water from there.  After about an hour and several possible targets later I was surprised to see her sentimental yellow gold earring in my scoop.  I went to where Kim was sunning on the beach and she met me at the water’s edge.  “Yes that’s it!” she exclaimed excitedly.  She gave me a hug of thanks and relief.  She got the earring from her Mom when she was around five years old. I told her how happy I was to find it in the water as Oahu Parks are terrible to hunt, with all the years of metal party debris in the ground.  Aloha to Kim!

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Lost Yellow Gold Wedding Band at Four Seasons Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call Friday 17 April from Four Seasons Security asking if I was available to recover a guests ring in the dry sand beach chair area.  They told me their guest would be departing soon, so I would have to mail it to them if found.  Security gave me the contact’s name, Jay,  from Denver, Colorado.  I told security I would hunt first light Saturday morning so that I could move the chairs from the search area and not bother the guests.  After moving the chairs, I started a grid search.  After about 5 minutes, I got a nice low tone under where a beach chair had been and in one scoop there was a yellow gold ring.  I went to my car to text the guest a pic for confirmation.  It certainly was! We verified by the brand name.  “That’s the one!  Thank you very much!”  The post office was still open, so I rushed and packed the ring and Jay received it today in Denver!  Another one for the Book of Smiles!  Aloha to Jay!

 

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Lost White Gold and Diamonds Wedding Band at Aulani Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This Ring find began when I got a text from Stanley who was on vacation from Irvine, California and staying at the Aulani Resort.  He texted, “Hello my friend.  I need your service. I lost me ring at the Aulani hotel.”  I immediately called and Stanley told me he was standing in 3 feet of water and “It just slide off!”  He was leaving the next morning so I agreed to come first light and hopefully find his ring before they had to depart for the airport.  The pics Stanley provided gave me excellent info to create a grid search.  Facing the lagoon I worked from right to left.  About 5 minutes into the search coming down the wet sand slope I got a booming 49-50 on the Manticore and on the second scoop there was Stanley’ stunning ring in the scoop.  I ran back to my car to call Stanley and give him the good news.  We met on Aulani’s boardwalk for the return.  Thank you Brother! was his response and he was obviously relieved to be going home with his ring on his finger.  Thank you Jesus for the perfect timing!

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Lost Yellow Gold & Diamonds Wedding Band at Aulani Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began yesterday  when I got a text from Ryan who was from Chicago and on Spring Break staying at the Aulani Resort.  While playing catch in shallow water of the lagoon Ryan’s Yellow Gold & Diamonds Wedding Ring came off and disappeared in the sand.  He sent a pic and circled the area in question.  I immediately called and found out Ryan would be leaving the next day around noon.  We agreed to meet early the next morning and it would be a low tide as a bonus.  I arrived the next morning and texted Ryan.  He met me on the beach and gave me the coordinates for a grid search.  I didn’t find the ring in that box.  I went ashore and discussed the event that caused the ring to be lost and it was when he was catching the ball.  Many times in that situation the ball flings the ring further then you imagine.  I told Ryan I would extend the grid search deeper and he could just relax on the beach and I would call him when I complete the hunt.  Low and behold on the third leg I got a screaming target on the Manticore.  On the second dig Ryan’s ring was in the scoop.  I started walking ashore and noticed Ryan sitting in a beach chair.  I held up the ring and yelled, “Got It!” I hand dropped it to Ryan and I could sense a sigh of relief.  He shouted over to his lovely wife Jamie, “He found it!”  Jamie came over to see for sure.  I believe she said, “I can’t believe it!”  but was obviously very happy.  We took a few pics and Ryan was able to return home with his ring on his finger.  Aloha to Ryan & Jamie!

 

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Lost Yellow Gold and Diamond Engagement Ring at Hickam Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Aaliyah from Green Bay, Wisconsin saying I was recommended by Don my fellow ring finder on Oahu.  Aaliyah stated, “I lost my engagement ring at Hickam Beach.  I’m wondering if you serve that area?”  She also texted it was on Monday and in the sand.  I called Aaliyah and agreed to meet her and her husband Wyatt at the beach before the next round of rain came in.  When I arrived at Hickam Beach Wyatt and Aaliyah were waiting.  They showed me the area and explained she had put the ring in her purse for safe keeping but many family members had been in her purse to get items and she believed at some point the ring must have fallen out.  Wyatt drew a grid box in the sand where they thought the ring would be.  Oahu has had a major storm the last few days and the Kona winds had punished this shore line.  The ring could have traveled in many directions.  I started the grid search and the first item I found was a gold plated cross.  I told them I think that’s a great sign,  Jesus is working with us.  I continued on and when I was on the second to last line of the grid I got a sweet solid tone center line dot on the Manticore and it was shallow.  One scoop and the target was acquired.  As a sifted the sand a tiny yellow gold ring with a big diamond came into view.  I grabbed the ring from the scoop and held it up so Aaliyah & Wyatt could see.  I told them it was one inch out of the grid so it probably wasn’t their ring.  “Just kidding” I said as I handed Aaliyah her ring.  I could see an expression of relief and disbelief at the same time.  The current storm system probably saved the day to keep other detectorists away and from finding her ring.  We were blessed!  Aloha to Aaliyah & Wyatt!

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Lost Platinum & Diamonds Wedding Ring at Hale Koa Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Tom who was on Hale Koa Beach as an Air Force Family was trying to find a lost Platinum & Diamonds Wedding Ring in the dry sand.  I assured Tom I could be there soon and he put me in contact with Wes who is the gentleman that lost the ring.  Wes was on vacation from Walnut Creek, California and explained he was throwing a football and the ring slipped off his finger and disappeared somewhere in the dry sand.  He told me they had been digging for awhile, where they thought it fell, but couldn’t locate the ring.  I told Wes to have everyone stop digging and to relax on the beach I would be there in about 25 minutes.  Thankfully, when I arrived there was several parking available.  As I walked down the boardwalk I heard someone yell, ” Joe we are right here.”  I looked towards the beach and the entire family was chilling on the beach, awaiting my arrival.  Wes had already marked off the area with small fish nets so I started my search in the area I saw they were digging.  First two targets were Lincoln Cents, then a small aluminum disc.  I was now out of the area previously dug and the family was starting to wonder where the ring could be.  Then a somewhat scratchy tone and after two full scoops there was Wes’s Platinum & Diamonds Ring in the scoop.  Someone must have stepped on it.  Wes immediately put the ring back on his finger and when I asked if he could remove it for a pic it was stuck.  That’s actually good so we took the pic as it was.  Vacation saved!  Aloha to Wes and his wonderful family.

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Lost White Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring at Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Braiden who happened to be on the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach, as a young lady named Laura, got bitten by a bee on her finger and as she swung her hand to get rid of the bee her White Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring flew off into the sand and disappeared.  She was in a panic state as she couldn’t find her ring and wasn’t really positive as to where it landed in the sand during her stressful bee sting moment.  Braiden agreed to meet me on the boardwalk and direct me to where Laura was.  I arrived rather quickly and Braiden was easy to spot at 6 foot 7.  When he introduced me to Laura she was still crying but still had the wherewithal to describe the event and where it should be.  I fired up the Manticore and told her to relax as there would most likely be some trash found during the hunt.  I show my clients every target I retrieve so they know I’m not going to pocket their precious item.  My first target was a piece of foil and as I showed it to Laura a look of dishearten surprise was obvious.  I told her again I would show her everything I dig.  Next target “Boom” gorgeous ring in the scoop.  “Now you can get excited” I said, as I let her retrieve her ring from my scoop.  Tears of relief flowed down her face and she gave me a giant hug of thanks.  Applause and cheers rang out from the tourists on the beach.  Vacation saved!  Aloha to Laura from Canada!

 

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Lost 24K Gold Wedding Ring at Four Seasons Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Four Seasons Beach Team informing me that one of their guests who was on vacation from Oakland, California and lost his 24K Gold Wedding band in the lagoon and wanted to know if I could recover it.  I said “Of course” and to give that guest my number and I could coordinate the recovery.  He called and told me he was swimming on his back in about 4 feet of water and his Wedding Ring slipped off and disappeared into the murky water.  High surf has been pounding our west coast and stirring up the Ko Olina lagoons.  I told him I would arrive the next morning at the low tide which would be around 10am.  I arrived a bit early and discovered another detectorist on the beach.  The beach team told him he couldn’t be there, at the same time I was arriving.  His name was Paul, nice guy,  just read the rules online wrong.  I did direct him to Paradise Cove beach which is open to all detectors.  I counted out the umbrellas the ring should be straight out from and entered the water a little right of that to create a grid search.  I went out to neck deep water turned left.  I took two steps and Boom screaming high tone.  Four scoops later in the murky water and finally the heavy 24K gold ring was in the scoop.  I went back to my car to text a pic and he confirmed.  I went back to the Four Seasons Beach entry for the return.  Another one for the book of smiles.  Aloha!

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