Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 2 of 36

Lost Yellow Gold 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 call from Tiare who lives on Oahu and was staying at the Aulani Resort.  She said the evening before her husband Jesse while playing with his children in the shallow waters of the lagoon he noticed when he got back to the room his yellow gold wedding band was gone.  He went back to the beach and looked and it was hopelessly gone.  Even snorkeling the area is really impossible.  The sand is so soft the heavy gold ring melts into it and disappears.  I told Tiare I was getting ready to go to church and when it was complete I’d grab my gear and come down to the lagoon to hunt.  When I arrived I texted Tiare & Jesse and said I would be in the water hunting the area in the photo they sent.  I immediately got a high tone that was a dime then a low tone that was a child’s play ring.  Then the next ten minutes was silent.  I was on the last leg of the between the buoys hunt when I got a nice 47-50 on the Manticore and finally after three scoops there was a yellow gold ring in the scoop.  Tiare was finally walking down to the beach and she waved at me.  When she got there I asked to see Jesse’s ring again and it was a match.  I showed her the ring and she said, “No you didn’t”  Yep!  I found it in the time it took her to get ready & come dow to the beach.  She took the ring and ran back to give Jesse the good news and they both came down the beach to thank me for the recovery.  A few hugs & handshakes and another vacation saved!  Aloha to Tiare & Jesse!

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Lost Gold Platinum & Diamonds Poker Rings at Kailua Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Damian who was on vacation with his family from Denver, Colorado.  While Damian was wrestling his Father Kiko in the shore break at Kailua Beach Kiko’s two amazing Poker Rings came off and disappeared in the waves and sand.  Kiko told me he tried for about three hours to feel for them with his feet but that’s an impossible task.  I had just gotten home from work so I told Damian I would pack my gear and could be there in about 45 minutes depending on traffic.  When I got in the vicinity he flagged me down and miraculously there was available parking right where they were.  When I arrived, Damian took me down to the beach where I met Hector, Fabian, Kiko & Bianca.  The whole family was devastated that their Father had lost these special rings.  I also saw a metal detectorist in the water hunting and told them I don’t compete.  It’s either him or me.  Thankfully, the gentleman was a passerby and had just offered his assistance.  Having a Garrett MAX I knew that wouldn’t be working in our salt water environment.  He graciously bowed out so I could do the hunt with the Manticore.  Bianca showed me a video of Kiko & Damian wrestling in thigh deep water so I asked Kiko why was he standing in chest deep water.  I decided to do a perpendicular to shore grid and had Kiko stand in the water as my marker.  Thankfully, this beach is really clean so some deep grunting targets is all I heard until BOOM!  55-76 VDI on the surface target that my coil I believe actually bumped as I swung.  The water was so murky I had to scoop the concrete like sand.  I was only thinking big gold band not the monster green gem with diamonds in yellow gold that was in the bottom of my scoop.  I grabbed it and said to Kiko, “Look a ring for me.”  He exclaimed “No, that’s my favorite of the two rings I lost.”  He then told me the other ring was Platinum and had a gold coin in it with diamonds.  About 4 feet further another BOOM! This target refused to go in my scoop as I was getting thrown around in the surf.  I asked the other detectorist since he was a stout guy to try a real detector and stand his ground and scoop that target up for me.  I didn’t want to damage the ring scooping constantly.  Sure enough on his second scoop the other magnificent ring was in the scoop and immediately given to Kiko.  The entire family was over joyed that their vacation was saved.  We had a few laughs and pics and of course all the boys were interested in metal detecting and had a few questions about the hobby which I gladly answered.  Several beach goers were yelling congratulations and how awesome to see the recovery.  A great big Aloha to Kiko, Bianca, Damian, Fabian & Hector!

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Lost Platinum Wedding Band at Kuhio Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Rahiti who hails from Tahiti and currently works for HECO on Oahu.  While playing competitive surf polo during the Duke Fest at Kuhio Beach while attempting to hit the ball his Platinum Wedding Band flew off and disappeared in chest deep water.  Since those protected pools get metal detected constantly I told Rahiti we should meet this afternoon immediately after I got off work.  We met in the Zoo Parking lot and then proceeded down to Kuhio Beach.  It was a super high tide and the waves were crashing over the wall and the pool was quite turbulent.  Rahiti thought the ring would be about halfway cross the pool but that water was over my head.  Looking at his pics from the day before when the ring was lost we realized it was probably only a third of the way in.  I told Rahiti I would go as deep as possible then turn parallel to the shore so as to get the most out of the high tide hunt.  I started  at the extreme left side of the grid and went in.  When I reached neck deep water I turned right and immediately got a loud #33 on the Manticore.  I took one scoop and the target was captured.  I could not believe my eyes there was a large Platinum Band in the scoop.  First target, first swing!  I yelled to Rahiti “Got it!”  He looked as surprised as I was for such a quick recovery.  Had he been even a few inches to the right on this hunt we wouldn’t have found the ring.  Totally Blessed!  Much Aloha to Rahiti!

 

 

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Lost Silver Rings at Honu Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began 12 August when I got a call from Aubri who was visiting Oahu from her home state of Texas.  While enjoying her day on the beach at Honu Lagoon before swimming she put her silver rings in the beach chair pocket.  At the end of the day and after returning the beach chair to the hotel she realized she had left the rings in the chair pocket.  Upon return to the chair area the rings were no were to be found.  She assumed the four rings must have fallen out when she folded the chair on the beach.  I went for the hunt on Saturday morning and was able to match up the photo of their location with the pic Aubri sent me.  I started the hunt working towards the grassy area Aubri described.  About 15 minutes into the hunt I got a nice high tone on the Manticore and dug a silver ring with a blue stone.  Another swing and a few inches over I found another silver ring with a little white opal.  There were four rings in total but the final two never showed themselves.  After talking to Aubri she thought maybe they were inside the resort area which would be impossible to hunt.  She was obviously grateful of the two I recovered and shes wearing them again in the pic back in Texas.  She knows I’ll certainly check again in case they are still on the beach.  Aloha to Aubri!

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Lost White Gold with Diamonds Wedding & Engagement Rings at Honu Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began Friday, 26 July when I got a call from Katie from Bakersfield, California and was staying at the Ko Olina resort.  While enjoying the cool waters of the lagoon with family her white gold and diamonds wedding and engagement rings that were soldered together came off in about four feet of water and disappeared into the sand.  Since it was late afternoon I agreed to come back Saturday morning for the recovery.  When I arrived I started my grid search from the pictures Katie provided the night before.  After a thorough search and no ring Katie and I discussed following up Sunday with a scuba search since she was right at the slope that drops to 10 feet of water.  Sunday was very silty and the hunt again was unsuccessful as I couldn’t see my grid.  Katie was obviously sad and I told her don’t give up hope I just needed another chance on a calmer day and the use of my bright orange grid line.  That time came Tuesday so after work I headed to the lagoon for another scuba hunt.  It surely was calm with great visibility.  Thankfully there were very fee targets so I didn’t silt up the area.  Then in about 8 feet of water I got a booming #26 on the Manticore.  On the second wave of my hand over the target a beautiful ring exposed itself and the diamonds were sparkling in the afternoon sunlight.  Yes, finally!  I immediately showered off and went to my car to text Katie a pic as she had returned home to California.  Obviously she was ecstatic and as you can see it arrived a few days early and its back on her finger.  Much Aloha to Katie!

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Lost Yellow Gold Hawaiian Style Ring at Aulani Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began on 11 July when I got a text from Marcus who was visiting with his girlfriend and enjoying the day at the Aulani Resort.  While in the water, he lost his Yellow Gold Hawaiian Style Ring and a Jade Pendant necklace.  After the first dive hunt failed to recover either one, Marcus and I realized the search should have been further North.  The second dive hunt I was able to find the ring however being low on air I wasn’t able to extend the search deeper and more to the South for it’s recovery.  The chain is fairly thin so I’m certainly hoping the Manticore can snag the clasp holding the Jade Pendant.  To be continued if found.  Meanwhile, Marcus has his ring he received in the mail today in Washington State.  Aloha to Marcus!

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Lost Rose Gold, Tungsten and DIAMONDS Wedding Band at Pililaau Army Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call this evening from Chief Warrant Officer Dustin who was having a vacay with his family at Pililaau Army Recreation Center.  While enjoying time at the beach at some point his Rose Gold & Tungsten Diamond encrusted Wedding Ring went missing.  He was sure it was in the dry sand but he had also gone in the water briefly.  I told Dustin I would get there as quickly as I could but Google Maps was saying an hour.  It was late so I brought my headlamp and a backup flashlight.  When I arrived Dustin met me at the gate and then brought me down to the beach where his lovely wife Sarah and the kids were still looking in the sand for the ring.  I asked Dustin to draw me a box where he thought I’d find the ring.  After starting my grid search the first target of course was a pulltab.  Continuing on the third leg of the grid gave a booming #57 solid on the Manticore and after two scoops there was Dustin’s amazing ring in the scoop.  I yelled “BINGO” and Sarah and Dustin came running over as I pulled the ring from my scoop.  OMG!  A few hugs and well wishes and then I headed home as it was now dark.  So happy I didn’t have to go in the water.  Aloha to Dustin & Sarah!

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Lost White Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring at 4 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 yesterday from Jaymie who lives on Oahu telling me her friend Precious from Nigeria had just lost her White Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring along the shore of 4 Seasons Beach near the Sailing Catamaran.  Jaymie got my contact info from her Uncle Britton who has been a long time detectorist on Oahu.  I told her I would go first thing in the morning.  As I was checking the surf report and having been there earlier that day my fear was the ring of that size could wash up on shore and someone else find it.  I decided I would just have to go immediately and see what develops.  When I arrived,  it was a very high tide and water was coming up to the beach chairs.  I started at the Catamaran and worked towards Aulani as the location pic Jaymie sent me suggested.  On the fifth leg,  as I was going up onto the wet sand I got a loud #26 on the Manticore and in one scoop there was Precious’ amazing ring in the scoop.  I immediately went to my car to give Jaymie the great news.  Jaymie said she was about ten minutes away and asked if we could meet at the Lagoon 1A parking lot.  Of course we did and I was able to secure the ring to her for Precious.  Later that evening they sent me the heart warming photo of two friends with so much joy on their faces.  Much Aloha to Precious & Jaymie!

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Lost White Gold & Black Diamonds Wedding Ring at Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a call from Wesley at Four Seasons Security.  Wesley told me a gentelman named Ross lost his White Gold & Black Diamonds Wedding Ring at their beach and gave me Ross’ number to reach out to recover it.  I called Ross and he was so thankful and I let him know I’d be there the next morning at the low tide.   After hunting the area Ross had given me with no success I called him and asked if he could come down to the beach to ensure I was in the correct area.  After demonstrating how he lost the ring I told him I would go over that area one more time.  I also shifted direction to parallel the shore.  On the second leg I got a nice tone mixed in with an iron tone.  After two scoops there was Ross’ unique ring in the scoop.  I texted him a pic of his ring and he came right back to the beach.  Ross was very gracious and had many kind words.  Can’t help but cherish these recoveries of such gracious people.  Aloha to Ross!

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Lost Cartier Platinum Wedding Band at Halekulani Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when I got a text from Kawakita who with his wife was visiting Oahu from Japan.  They were leaving the next morning at 11am and my backup ring finders were out of commission.  I told him I would come over after my Royal Hawaiian hunt since they were the next beach over.  Ends up I only had 90 minutes left on my parking to go over and hunt.  I told Kawakita to meet me on the beach as I had minimal time.  He quickly showed me the search area and I started immediately.  We had some tourists in the way but they politely moved.  As I started my fourth leg coming down into the wet sand I got a strong #9 on the Manticore and two scoops later there was the Cartier.  I think Kawakita was as shocked as I was because we both thought it would be in the turbulent water.  His wife whom I never got her name was just arriving on the beach and when he handed her, her ring she was overcome with joy.  A few hugs and gracious thank yous sure made that a great hunt.  Aloha to Kawakita and his lovely wife!

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