Richard Browne, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 8 of 21

Bristol Beach, Famouth, MA Ring Lost, Found and Returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

When Danielle googled “how to find a ring in ocean” the search returned a blog from the ring finders (it was the first search result)! Then a search for Ring Finders Falmouth led her to my past blogs and contact information.

I received a call from Danielle with a tale of loosing a ring her dad given her 10 years ago. “I look up to and care deeply for my father and I also sentimental feelings in that the ring reminds me of home (where I’m from, in New Jersey).”

The ring was the second ring she had lost, the first was lost in an almost identical situation 10 years ago (playing football in the water at the beach). She vowed to never wear a ring again when doing that, and was pretty good for a number of years before she slipped up. This time the sea was at high tide and the waves were one footers. But I knew the beach and thought I could find it, if Danielle lost the ring where she thought it came off her finger.

I showed up and was getting ready for the search when Danielle and her friend Kelly showed up to point out the area. The help was instrumental in my finding of the ring. I had only minutes before the tide reached its peak height. I started to search as far out as I could go and worked my way toward the shore. I did not hear a signal until my 5th pass when I heard it – the sound that I was sure was the ring – and it was.

I did not remove the ring from my scoop, I left that to Danielle. It added just a bit more to the ordeal that I am sure will be remembered for some time to come.

Old Silver Beach, Falmouth, MA – Fastest Ring Return

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

June 9, 2021; while I was out returning a watch that had been left at a swimming pool I had a call from Fernando about a lost Promissory Ring. It had been left on a beach chair while applying sun screen protection. It was the second time the ring had been removed and Fernanda had become very enthusiastic to be back at the beach in the sun and sand. The excitement was just enough to take her mind away from returning her ring to her finger before it fell from the chair into the soft warm sand. All the searching did not find the ring.

A metal detector was the answer, but not the one that was rented and used for quite some time. Only nip bottles, a tent peg and some aluminum pieces were found. The ring had been lost since Sunday, it was now Wednesday when I received the call. I knew there was one detectorist that frequents Old Silver Beach just about every morning. It worried me on my hour drive to the beach that he may have already found the ring.

At the beach; a review of where, when and how the ring was lost. Looking down at the area there was a new group of beach goers spreading their blankets, towels, chairs and cooler in the exact spot were the ring had been lost. While I got my gear ready, Fernanda politely asked the group if they could move about 15 feet down the beach. The group was glad to do it and cheered me on as I arrived at the area to search. The pile of found targets was in the sand marking a area that had been searched and a few broken search boundary lines were still visible.

I set myself to start my search close to the blanket that had been move and started westward away from the water. BANG! Second swing a solid indication from my detector that there was a target that needed to be removed from the sand. A shallow scoop and the ring was the only object in the scoop. I moved the scoop toward Fernanda so she could remove it and place it back on her finger. I could not believe it, less than 15 seconds had passed since I started to search. This was indeed the fastest search and return I have ever made. The following cheers, congratulations, Thank Yous lasted much, much longer. There was even talk about the Promissory Ring being replaced by a bigger diamond. Everyone wished Fernando the best and promised to remember The Ring Finders should they ever have a need for help in locating a “lost” metal object.

Ring lost, found and returned in Newton, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

My wife and I were just home from a mini getaway. When I received a call from Leighton, another Ring Finder asking me if I could help in a ring search as he was unable to do a search the next day. Definitely I can. Besides, it would be another day away from home with my wife, going places we had never been before.

I called Neil and was told the specifics and that he had also contacted Kent, another Ring Finder and friend of mine. A time for the search was set for the next morning. As a courtesy I called Kent, who also had work commitments on Saturday and would not be able to meet up for the morning search. It was on me with moral support from my wife on this search.

After a walk over the area and explanation that Neil also did some lake weed cutting to clear a launch area for his kayaks. By this time my wife had made friends with Ruby, Neil’s race track rescue Dalmatian. I put on my water gear, did a quick scan over the track between the house and dock area, Nothing, it was then into the water and just a few minutes later I heard a perfect signal, took a shallow scoop and there it was. Neil’s ring was in my scoop. I walked a few steps back to Neil so he could remove the ring from the scoop and put it back on his finger while repeatedly expressing his gratitude. Picture time followed.

I always try to put interest into the “ring shot” and this time was no different. Ruby showed interest in my gear and held still while posing with the ring on her forehead for a perfect photo.

Neil insisted in buying breakfast for my wife and me. We had watched the Phantom Gourmet the day before and had planned to stop at the pick of the show, which was Ronnie Waffles, on our way home. That was a sweet, happy ending to an anguishing day Neil had experienced. A perfect ending to an outstanding week.

Lost Again, The Ever Returning Bracelet. Dennis, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

While doing some yard cleanup Ted’s gold cuff bracelet slipped from his wrist off into the area of loosely blown leaves. This, a “lost” bracelet” was a happening that Ted was well aware of. Just after purchasing matching Figaro necklace and bracelet while on a trip to Italy was the first time his bracelet fell from his wrist. After a panic rush back to his rental car for a search not finding the bracelet Ted headed back to the airport. On the ride up the escalator he noticed the bracelet in the fold of a piece of luggage. Yes Ted did make the flight with his bracelet.

A visit to a jeweler supposedly fixed the clasp so the bracelet would never be lost again. It work for a few years until a Cape Cod beach tried its best to keep the bracelet that once again had slipped from Ted’s wrist. This time a friend was the savior, who found and returned the bracelet to Ted. On another trip to the same beach the bracelet again became unhooked and left Ted’s wrist. Ted noticed it missing as he was loading his car. This time Ted found the bracelet hanging form a beach chair he had been sitting on.

This was to be the last time the bracelet would ever have a chance to become unhooked and having to be found. Ted was sure that having the Figaro melted down and made into a cuff bracelet would end the frequent hunts for the wayward bracelet. Well, so Ted thought. This time Ted had to call in some help in finding the beautiful piece of gold jewelry.

My telephone began ringing as I was about out of the house for a quick trip to the store. I missed the call, but For some reason I went back into the house and called the missed message number. About an hour later I had finished my errand and was searching for the bracelet. Within 15 minutes I heard a solid signal, one that I was sure had been in response the coil of my detector passing over the gold bracelet. Yes, there it was. Again the bracelet returned to Ted’s wrist. I don’t know how many times a bracelet has gone missing from one’s wrist, been found and returned. How many ever it is, Ted must own one that is close to having the record.


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Yarmouth, MA. A man’s ring lost, shattered, pieces found and returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

A not so happy ring return to end a year of many quagmires. Bryant had known his wedding band did not fit his finger as it should. It is a downfall of Tungsten Carbide as a ring material is that it can not be resized. As so it remained on his finger until this years fallen leaf removal had to been accomplished. A friend offered to show off his new leaf vacuum and “pick up” the pile of leaves and take them to a dump.

Unfortunately, Bryant did not realize his band had slipped off his finger before the leaves had been removed form his yard. A visual search of the yard did not help. Bryant knew his access to a utility pipe locator might find the ring in the pile of leaves. No it did not. It was a non-ferrous metal detector for locating iron. Next a purchase and use of a low end metal detector did not locate the ring either. It was time to ask for help from J&E Enterprises, a local metal detector dealer. The owner, Eleanor, gave Bryant my phone number.

Bryant’s call gave me the necessary information for a search which was set for that afternoon. A two hour search in rain and fading light, even with one of my best detectors, I did not find the ring. A few pull tabs, aluminum and pieces of wire, but no ring. It got too dark to see targets in the leaf pile. I went home with no good news for Bryant.

Arrangements were made to search Bryant’s yard in two days. The next day I could not get it out of my mind that I could not find a few targets the night before. Now the sun was out, but the temperature was below freezing and I had to go and give the leaf pile another search. And I did search the ice encrusted leaves. In doing so I found two of the targets I could not locate in the dark the night before. Bitter sweetness came over me as I knew I had found two pieces of Bryant’s ring. The ring had been shattered by the impeller blade of the leaf vacuum.

I could not detect any more, my fingers too cold to hold my detecting gear, let alone pick up another small piece of the ring.

Bryant met me after work to offer his thanks for putting an end to the search. A closure of a sort. I offered to return for another search after the ice and the next day’s forecast of a foot of snow had melted away. On the light side the return of the parts was a better ending to our searching than if I had searched Bryant’s yard, finding nothing and leaving Bryant with no closure.

We parted with hopes of 2021 being a much better year for everyone.

Jetties Beach Nantucket, Massachusetts – Ring Lost, Found, returned by TheRingFinders

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

Holly and her husband were on a quick get-away anniversary vacation to Nantucket for a bit of fun and sun. All started well then slight rain dampened the day but not the spirit for some beach fun. John was in the water in a flash with Holly following a more slowly. That would not be as much fun as was having which gave him the idea of a quick attack, on his wife and launching her into the air with a water landing, his idea of FUN! Yes he thought, but not so much as he felt for the ring on his left hand that had been there for 8 year, it was gone.

After a long search, a local person with a metal detector was asked to search for the ring, Many targets, but not ring were found. Gone forever John and Holly returned home. Holly just could not give up on a very sentimental item. After a bit of Googling TheRingFinders, my name came up. She thought it would not hurt to reach out without telling John. During the call I had to assure her the ring was still where it was lost and if anyone could find it I was a good choice. I also said to double the chances I should have another Ring Finder, Leighton Harrington, go on the search with me. Holly agreed. That set the wheels in motion. Timing of tides and ferry schedules and weather forecasts narrowed the date down to the25th. It turned out that was John’s birthday.

After a 5am meeting with Leighton for the 6am ferry ride, a walk to the ferry, the ride to the island another walk to the beach, a cup of coffee and snack on the way, we were on the beach. We put our gear together and headed for the water, marking the sand with lines to show the most likely area the missing ring would be in. As I put my feet into the water OOPS I forgot to take off my shorts. I took care of that shortcoming and back in the water Leighton had his first signal, an earring he wanted to show me. I took three steps toward Leighton and had a signal of my own. Bingo! The birthday boy’s ring was in my scoop, Happy Birthday John.

We has planned for up to 6 hours to search for the ring. We now had almost all that time to just enjoy the rest of the day, our main reason was in the pouch. Our return ferry ticket were for the 4pm sailing.
We made good use of the time detecting three beaches we had never been to before.

Back home arrangements for the ring’s return via the USPS was set. Another great day enjoying a wonderful hobby and making others smile was coming to a close. A peaceful night’s sleep without worries of a missing ring will be had by all, except John who will not know of the find until the surprise reuniting is completed by Holly. I only wish I could be there, I know it will be emotional and a day to remember.

Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts – Lost, found & returned earring from a sandy beach

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

This Covid19 pandemic has caused more than physical pain. The pain that one feels as an item is ripped from an ear as a mask is removed is unbearable. I have been called to find two hearing aids and Madelan’s 3 piece diamond stud earring is the second diamond stud I have answer the request to help. I have been successful in each search. The problem of these items is the amount of metal that the detector must recognize a very small amount to say the least. In the case of the hearing aids only the battery is recognized. There is even less metal in most stud earrings.

Now that you know what a detectorist is up against on with the story.

Madelan is a frequent visitor to the beach and on one day she was involved in a ring search which I was later call in on. She was present when I found the ring and said she would never forget the event. Good thing she did not forget how to contact me. She now needed my help in finding one of her custom made 3 piece diamond stud earrings. The parts of the earring are: the back was a butterfly, the circle was an invisible jacket for the solitaire stud. Of course when called to help I was on my way. Again I called on Leighton another Ring Finder to help as I knew it would be difficult to find the 3 small pieces.

Frank, Madelan’s son had made and “X” in the sand and bet his mother a pizza that is where her earring is. The initial search did not reveal the earring. Tweaking my detector for maximum sensitivity at a specific frequency ensured the best response when the coil was directly over any one of the parts. And Yes, Frank was owed a pizza for dinner. With the finely tweaked detector the part could not hide anymore. The three pieces were found, cleaned and returned to Madelan.

Everyone on the beach enjoyed watching and later talking to Leighton and myself. Photos taken, stories exchanged and many Thank You passed before Frank and his mother were off to their favorite pizza house for an enjoyable dinner. Leighton and myself returned home for a good nights sleep as we had scheduled a 6 hour hunt for a lost wedding band the next day. How much more enjoyment can one person endure?

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Beachcomber, Cahoon Hollow, Wellfleet, Massachusetts – Armenian gold cross lost, found and returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

The day before Kyle’s graduation he was playing volleyball and sporting his graduation gift of a white gold necklace and an Armenian cross. A quick jump, a spiked ball and on the way down to the sand the net caught the cross which then was in a free-fall into the sand. Kyle found the necklace and he and several others were not so fortunate in finding the cross. He left the beach in the dark and did not sleep well as his wish was to wear the cross on the virtual graduation. That was not to happen.

Just before the ceremony Kyle’s found a link to TheRingFinders.com and called Luke. Luke was in heavy traffic leaving the Cape for the day and would not be able to search until the next day. As TheRingFinders often do, he called me to take on the search. I did.

I would wait until the pay to park was lifted and there were less people on the beach. My plan partially worked. I did not have to pay to park, but I did wait on the volleyball game reach a point were the players would take a 10 minute break. They knew of the loss and some had some were part of the previous day’s search. I thanked the players and started my search. It only took about 6 minutes before I had the cross and left to meet Kyle for the return. As I left everyone said how amazed they were and to pass congratulations on to Kyle.

A drive that should take 10 minutes took almost an hour due to the Cape Visitors trying to find a meal or to leave the Cape. Just bad timing. We made the meeting, passed the co-dos, took photos, told a few stories, and parted or ways with smiles on everyone’s face. Kyle’s smile was the biggest of all.

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Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts – Wedding Band lost, found and returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

Matt took one dive too many. On the second dive his grandfather’s wedding band which is now worn as Matt’s wedding band slipped from his finger into the depths of Nantucket Sound. It was about 3pm and I was getting ready for Leighton’s arrival for an afternoon of detecting fun. It was then when Matt called and relayed the information of his lost ring. What luck, Leighton was on his way, not need to call him. Two searchers are definitely better to have searching than one.

We met Matt on the beach, got the run down on how and were his ring was lost. Leighton asked Matt to go to the spot where he thought he lost the ring. I was following when I heard a signal that was from a pull tab. Continuing on, my second signal proved to be the object of search. I call all to come to the beach where the ring was verified as the missing ring.

Matt removed the ring from my scoop, smiled and was very thankful as you can see from the picture below. All this in less than 2 hours from the time the ring slipped from Matt’s finger. This return was made only 75 feet from a ring return the previous week. Just loving this hobby.

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Craigville, Hyannis, Massachusetts – Lost necklace, cross and ring found and returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

Three times was the number of detecting hunts it took to retrieve Oleg’s three pieces of jewelry. During the first try I thought my skill was lacking because I had a ring in my pouch but could not locate either of the other two pieces of jewelry. It was time to call it quits for the evening and give Oleg the ring and apologize that I had not found the other to pieces. I was feeling bad, but not as bad when Oleg told me the ring I found was not his. And to make things worse, it was his 12th anniversary.

I requested that he not replace the items for at least two weeks. I wanted more time to locate the jewelry. The second try was not much better except I found an Apple watch series 5 – see the related story. Then it happened, I got stung by a jelly fish. OUCH!!!!!!!!! But still no ring.

Two days later Leighton Harington (also a Ring Finder) and I were meeting for a get-together hunt. As so, this was the perfect chance to end the madness of looking for Oleg’s lost articles. About 30 minutes into the hunt I found Oleg’s ring and a minute later the cross. Leighton came to the area and because the detector he was using was more sensitive to small link chains he had a better chance at locating the chain and he did. The bad part of the hunt was yet to come. And it did with a painful outcome for both Leighton and myself. We both were stung by jelly fish.

So much for the found items. It is time to return them, but how? A friend could pick them up, I could hold onto the item until Oleg could return to the Cape, or the dreaded USPS. I convinced Oleg to trust the USPS service. And the pieces were posted with tracking number and expected delivery day as Friday. The package was delivered a day early, but to the neighbors mail box. The mix up was rectified and Oleg face was smiling once again and his heart filled with happiness.

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