Diamond Engagement Ring .. Found .. San Clemente, CA. Beach

Alexis and Andrew had gone to San Clemente State Beach on Saturday 1/17/15. They walked about three hundred yards south of the main entrance to set up for the day. Before going out in the water Alexis still had her engagement ring on her finger. She put it into the pocket of her blouse and carefully laid it with the rest of their belongings. When they began to leave she picked up her blouse and decided to hang it on her backpack, forgetting that the ring was in the pocket. After walking several blocks through the sand to get to their car she went to get her ring from the pocket and it was not there. Andrew, Alexis and their friends looked through the immediate area with their hands, but it could have fallen out during the long walk to the car. They gave up the search. After returning home Alexis went on line locating TheRingFinders.com .

 I received the call at about 3:30pm while detecting at Huntington Beach. It took me awhile to walk a half mile to my car, but I was able to me Alexis and Andrew at 5pm. We talked about the circumstances leading to the loss of the ring. I explained to them how my equipment works. Some people think metal detectors can find things several feet from the coil. Other people do not believe the work for such small items as rings. I knew it was possible to search the long walk back to the parking lot, but the best place to start would be where she picked up her blouse. Sometimes other persons move an item containing the ring or keys not knowing something was hidden inside. I set up an area to grid search about 40’x30′.. Making six passes parallel to the beach with out success, I setup my CTX 3030 to beach mode – all metal and began a cross grid. The next move would have been the long walk back to the parking area. (time consuming and the sun was setting). Three 30 foot passes to and from the water I got a nice 12-02 signal. Calling Alexis over to see the signal and hear the sound, I told her this is your ring and I scooped it. It was a beautiful ring. She dropped to her knees in tears of joy. Andrew also came over to thank me telling me that he had all but given up on ever seeing their ring again. It was a great day and I got another lesson of humility. It is a game of inches and it pays to cross check.