Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 3 of 37

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

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

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

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

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

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

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

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

Lost White Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring at 4 Seasons Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

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

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

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

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

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!

Lost Tungsten, Gold & Diamonds Wedding Ring at Royal Hawaiian Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring hunt began when I got a call from Nate who was on vacation from Seattle, Washington.  While wrestling with his son in chest deep water his Tungsten, White Gold and Diamonds Wedding Ring came off and disappeared in the soft sand.  He tried using a mask & snorkel but the ring was buried.  I agreed to meet him first light on the beach.  While I was waiting for Nate to arrive another detectorist strolled through the low tide trough.  I texted Nate “Hurry we have competition!”  I told the competition what we were doing and he continued out of the area.  Nate set some grid extremes for me and in I went in with the Manticore.  The sets were coming in crazy from waist deep to over my head.  A few times my headphones got ripped off my skull.  After completeing the grid in about an hour I had only found a silver toe ring, a broken copper necklace and a cherry earring.  Nate became quite sure of his distance so I went out and did a parallel to shore hunt.  Suddenly,  I had a screaming target and after two scoops there was the ring in my scoop.  I told Nate I believe I got it.  I noticed him clasp his hands in prayer and one look in the scoop it was confirmed.  Wife never has to know!  Aloha to Nate!

Lost White Gold Diamonds & Sapphire Rings at Hilton Hawaiian Village…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when I got a text from Jennifer who is native to Oahu but currently resides in California.  She asked how do your services work?  I immediately called and she told me.  While enjoying the cool waters at Hilton Hawaiian Village with her partner Jordan her White Gold Sapphire and Diamonds ring fell off in shallow water.  In a panic she tried reaching into the sand and coral rubble to retrieve it and in the process her other White Gold & Diamonds ring also came off and disappeared.  I told Jennifer I’d be off work at 1pm and we could meet anytime after that near the food truck in the parking lot which was just a few yards from the search area.  Knowing this area is detected constantly I was thankful when a few targets especially pull tabs and two nickels showed up…the ring just might still be here.  After about 40 minutes I completed the search area Jennifer showed me.  While trying to decide what to do next Jennifer’s significant other Jordan asked if I had gotten to wear a little girl in a bright pink swim suit was snorkeling.  I said just shy of that and I agreed to spread out the search area yet again.  This time it paid off.  On the 1st leg return I got the Sapphire & Diamonds ring.  Then expanding from that point the Manticore picked out the all diamonds ring.  Jennifer was so elated she told me she had to hold back her tears of relief and joy.  Both rings were now back on her finger.  Aloha to Jennifer & Jordan!  Always expand that search area!!!

Lost Tiffany Platinum Wedding Band at Ala Moana Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)

This ring find began when I got a text from Sam who was on her Honeymoon with her husband Gareth, both from Sydney, Australia.  She asked if I had ring finding services for Ala Moana Beach.  Gareth was in the water hunting with a mask and snorkel and if he couldn’t find the Platinum ring,  I told her I could but needed some details.  Since it was late evening we decided to meet at 6:30 the next morning.  When Sam & Gareth arrived they took me down to the area to develop my grid.  I like to start right and work left.  This morning the beach was at a low tide and the water was clear.  On the first leg no targets whatsoever.  On the next leg at my maximum depth I got a nice tone but it was a nickel.  I turned toward shore and got another target with the same numbers thinking it was another nickel so I was surprised when a huge brand new Tiffany Platinum Band was glistening in my scoop.  Gareth & Sam were sitting on the shore and I yelled to them I had found it.  I think they were in utter shock as I had only been hunting for 3-4 minutes.  Gareth was obviously relieved and he told me he had been up most of the night concerned about the loss.  Honeymoon saved!  Aloha to Gareth & Sam!