Finders Category | The Ring Finders

LOST GOLD/METEORITE WEDDING BAND NEAR MATTHEWS, NC……FOUND!!!

  • from Raleigh (North Carolina, United States)
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Received a call from a friend of this young lady. She told me her friend lost her wedding ring in the backyard. She continued telling the story that she had lost it while playing with a volleyball in the pool. She hit the ball and felt her ring fly off. But they wasn’t sure what direction it flew in.

I asked what the ring was made of and she told me. “Gold and Meteorite” so I wasn’t 100% how that would affect the signal. I arrive at 8 pm and searched and searched. I started my search looking for a VDI range id 27-72. I don’t want to miss it.

After 45 mins went by, I decided to change my setting so I went to 0-72. I made a pass over a spot I had pass previous

I get a 62-64 hit and I wasn’t sure how I missed it, bus nc t I found on my return pass! Now it’s back where it belongs.

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Total ring recoveries since joining “The Ring Finders” 123 total!

Ring count for 2026: 129 (29, – recoveries/1 – return)

GOLD – 33 (23 – recoveries/1 – return)
GOLD/METEOR – 1 (1-re
GOLD/STAINLESS – 1 (recovery)
PLATNIUM – 5 (4-recoveries)
SILVER – 27
TUNGSTEN – 4 (1-recovery)
TITANIUM – 1
JUNK – 53
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“DIG IT ALL, SAVE SOME RINGS, BURY THE DRAMA!” XP Metal Detectors BLU3

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Lost Ring Found in Lake Mendota: Pete’s Wedding Ring Recovery

  • from Madison (Wisconsin, United States)
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A wedding ring lost in Lake Mendota was found and returned in under 16 hours. Read how professional ring recovery works — and how we found Pete's ring.      lost ring lake mendota madison wi     

 

How Pete Lost His Wedding Ring in Lake Mendota

Pete was out on his boat, anchored on Lake Mendota, playing catch with his son using a football. After a couple of tosses back and forth, he looked down at his hand and realized his wedding ring was gone. He’d never taken it off in 18 years of marriage — and now it was somewhere on the bottom of the lake. Pete and his son spent the next two hours “crab walking” around the boat, feeling along the lake bed with their hands while keeping their heads just above the water. They found a nice pair of sunglasses … but no wedding ring.

Before heading home, Pete did two things right that made all the difference:

  • He recorded the GPS coordinates of the boat’s anchor point
  • He had a cell phone photo taken from the boat earlier that day

Why a Lost Ring Search in Open Water Is So Difficult

Open water searches are hard because there are no landmarks to work from once you’re in the lake — no walls, no dock, no fixed points to measure against. A search area that seems small standing on a boat can feel enormous once you’re actually in the water trying to define its edges. That’s where the GPS coordinates and the photo came in. GPS from the boat is valuable, but it’s rarely captured the instant a ring is lost, and boats drift around their anchor point — especially in wind, which there was plenty that day. The cell phone photo turned out to be just as important: the tree line on the horizon acts almost like a fingerprint, letting me cross-reference the photo against the GPS point to pin down almost exactly where the boat had been sitting.

 

Finding the Ring

I was up early the next morning and in the water as the sun was rising. I set a flag at the GPS coordinates and started searching in a methodical grid pattern. The first 20 minutes turned up the usual lake debris — soda pop tabs, bottle caps, scattered bits of metal. Then I got a strong, rich, repeatable tone. I knew before I even dug that this was it. One scoop into the sandy bottom, a quick sift through my fingers, and there it was: Pete’s ring, exactly as described.

Lost Ring Found in Lake Mendota — Reunited in Under 16 Hours

Pete’s ring had been on his finger for 18 years. It was lost in Lake Mendota on a Sunday afternoon and back on his hand by Monday — less than 16 hours after it went into the water. I know there has been a huge gap of time between my posts here on The Ring Finders – but that doesn’t mean that I ever stopped finding lost rings. Pete’s ring was our Lost Ring #207 … crazy!

Here’s the Google Reviews from both Pete and his wife Jackie:

“My husband lost his wedding ring in Lake Mendota yesterday and after hours of searching, hope was dwindling. Dan was incredibly responsive, asked for specific details about the area, and eagerly headed to the lake early in the morning. Our communications began at 8pm last night and at 6:30am this morning, he sent a photo of the recovered ring. Very impressed! We HIGHLY recommend Dan if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.”

“Dan is the man! I lost my wedding ring in Lake Mendota. My ring wasn’t lost for more than 24 hours! I’m so grateful for his expertise, he is a true professional willing to help others in need. Thank You Dan!”

A Quick Note on Posting About Your Lost Ring Publicly

If you lose a ring in a lake, it’s natural to want to spread the word — post in a local Facebook group, ask friends to keep an eye out. Just be cautious about publicly sharing the exact search location. Rings made of gold or platinum can attract people who’ll go “treasure hunting” on their own, which can complicate or compromise a professional search. It’s better to work directly with a recovery specialist like  my business, LostAndFoundRing.com and keep exact coordinates private until the ring is found.

Lost a Ring in Lake Mendota? Here’s What to Do

If you’ve lost a ring in Lake Mendota — or any lake in the Madison, WI area — here’s what helps most:

  • Note the GPS coordinates as close to the moment you realize it’s gone as possible.
  • Don’t rely on memory alone for location — landmarks on shore matter more than you’d think.
  • Check your phone for photos taken that day; the background can help pinpoint your exact spot.
  • Avoid posting exact coordinates publicly — reach out to a professional instead.
  • Contact a specialist quickly — the sooner a search happens, the less chance of the ring shifting or being buried further by lake sediment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to find a lost ring in a lake? It depends on water clarity, depth, and how precisely the location is known. With good GPS and photo reference points, searches can often be completed within a few hours — sometimes on the very first pass.

Do I need GPS coordinates to find my lost ring? GPS coordinates dramatically improve the odds of a successful search, but they’re not strictly required. Landmarks, photos, and a clear description of the area can also help narrow down a search zone.

What should I do immediately after losing a ring in water? Mark your location (GPS if possible), avoid disturbing the lake bed further by digging around yourself, check for any photos from that day, and contact a professional ring recovery specialist as soon as possible.

Dan Roekle – Lost and Found Ring, LLC

 

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10K Gold Wedding Band – Lost & Found Terwillegar Towne Neighbourhood, Edmonton Alberta

  • from Edmonton (Alberta, Canada)
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On Thursday evening I received a call from Maciej requesting my help to locate his lost wedding band. He explained that while playing football catch with his sons in the neighbourhood green space beside their home, the ball struck his hand and he felt the ring fly off. After searching with his family for hours, they still couldn’t find it.

We arranged to meet Friday morning. When I arrived, Maciej walked me through what happened and showed me the exact area where they had been playing. Thankfully, he had placed a rock to mark the spot where he believed the ring had come off. He mentioned that it felt like the ring flew behind him when the ball hit his hand.

I began searching the immediate area around the marker. About 12 inches from the rock, lying in the grass, was his 10K gold wedding band. Maciej was genuinely shocked — he told me he, his wife, and their sons had spent a couple of hours searching the same area on their hands and knees without success.

It’s always amazing how a ring can hide in plain sight. Another happy ending, and a wedding band safely back on the owner’s hand.

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Lost Vintage 24-carat gold necklace & charm reunited with owner in Peachtree City, GA

  • from Newnan (Georgia, United States)
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Last week, I was contacted by a family in Peachtree City, GA that had recently lost a 24-carat gold necklace. It had a unique bell charm attached. This was a family heirloom that the Mother had received as a child. They had no clue exactly where it had been lost, but they had searched for days without success. Yesterday, they took me around the yard and showed me where she had been doing some yard work. So this morning I fired up my metal detector and began my search. It only took 20 minutes to locate the target – it was under 2″ of mulch right next to one of the bushes. They were flabbergasted. It was such a good feeling to be able to recover this piece for them.

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Lost Engagement ring Found at West Beach Santa Barbara by Dave The RingFinder

  • from Santa Barbara (California, United States)
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Lost a Ring Near the Santa Barbara Pier? Dave The RingFinder Can Get It Back

If you have lost your wedding ring, a bracelet, golden grill, or a necklace, don’t waste the time or the money buying or renting a metal detector. Instead hire an expert metal detecting professional like Dave The RingFinder! Dave is the “metal detective” and knows how to stack the odds in your favor to get your precious jewelry back. Call or text Dave at 805-290-5009 so he can create a plan to get your ring back!

A Swiss Visitor’s Engagement Ring, Recovered Near the Santa Barbara Pier

Late last Saturday night I got an urgent phone call from a number listed from Switzerland. It was from Irina, who had been visiting Santa Barbara on holiday from Switzerland and had lost her engagement ring near the Santa Barbara Pier. I told her I would get out there Sunday afternoon, as I had another ring to look for in the morning.

I convinced my wife she should come to the beach in SB with me, so we got out to the Pier and it was packed with visitors, as was Cabrillo Blvd, since there was a street fair going on at Chase Palm Park. With people everywhere, it was going to be a fun search. Thankfully, the area where she thought she’d lost it was on the north side of the pier and it’s usually not very crowded, so I got to work and began a grid parallel to the pier. There were coins everywhere, so I knew no one had detected this area in a long time — I was confident no one had beat me to Irina’s ring. On my second pass, I got a nice low hit on my Minelab Manticore, and in my scoop was a beautiful white gold engagement ring. I sent her a picture to confirm it was hers, and the response was an enthusiastic yes!

Irina had already left the area and was now in Newport Beach, so I got her address, insured her ring, and mailed it to her. Two days later, her ring was back where it belonged. This is what Irina had to say:

“I honestly can’t say enough good things about this experience! I lost my ring while I was in Santa Barbara and was so upset and worried that I would never see it again. I called Dave, and he came to the rescue! He was incredibly kind, professional, and determined to help me find it, and he actually DID!

What made the whole experience even more amazing was that his wife and him went the extra mile and shipped the ring back to me. I am beyond grateful for their kindness, honesty, and generosity.

This wasn’t just about finding a lost ring; it was about two wonderful people who genuinely cared and went above and beyond to help a stranger. I will never forget their kindness. If you ever lose something precious, I highly recommend Dave. Truly an amazing story and an amazing couple! ❤️💍”

Wait — Time Is Critical After a Ring Loss in Ventura or Santa Barbara County

Whether you lost a ring, necklace, bracelet, or other jewelry on a Ventura or Santa Barbara County beach, in shallow surf, in a backyard, at a park, or in an open field — the clock starts the moment it’s gone. Shifting tides, moving sand, and other detectorists can all work against recovery the longer you wait. Skip the metal detector rental and trust the expert — Dave The RingFinder.

Dave The RingFinder proudly serves:

Ventura County: Ventura · Oxnard · Port Hueneme · Camarillo · Thousand Oaks · Moorpark · Simi Valley · Fillmore · Santa Paula · Ojai

Santa Barbara County: Santa Barbara · Carpinteria · Goleta · Montecito · Summerland · Lompoc · Santa Maria · Solvang · Buellton

Notable beaches and recovery locations: Mondo’s Beach · Surfer’s Point · San Buenaventura State Beach · Rincon Beach · Carpinteria State Beach · East Beach Santa Barbara · West Beach Santa Barbara · McGrath State Beach Oxnard · Silver Strand Beach · Mandalay Beach

Dave also occasionally takes on recoveries in nearby Malibu by request — reach out if your loss happened outside the core service area above.

About Dave The RingFinder — Ventura County’s Metal Detecting Specialist

Dave The RingFinder has been recovering lost jewelry with a metal detector since 2011 and has operated full-time as a professional ring and jewelry recovery specialist since 2017. Also known as The Metal Detective, Dave brings professional-grade equipment, deep local knowledge of Ventura and Santa Barbara County beaches and tides, and a genuine passion for reuniting people with their most treasured possessions. Every recovery is personal.

Before you spend an afternoon chasing down a metal detector rental in Ventura or Santa Barbara County, make one call instead. Dave has the equipment, the experience, and the track record — and he works on your behalf from the moment you contact him.

📞 Call or text Dave 24/7: 805-290-5009
🌐 davetheringfinder.com

Lost something? Don’t rent — trust the expert. Dave The RingFinder is here to bring your jewelry home.

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White Gold Wedding Band and Engagement Ring Separately Slip into the Ocean at Garden City SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Saturday August 22, 2026, and just after 3 p.m., I received a text saying, “Hi There! I just lost (30 mins ago) my engagement ring and wedding band in the ocean. I understand these are just possessions, but it still stings after wearing for more than 16 years. Not sure what to do, but I posted on Facebook and you were highly recommended. Yucca Ave and Waccamaw in Garden City.” I immediately looked up the tide tables for Garden City and saw high tide was going to be in less than an hour at 4:10. I called the number attached and spoke with Kelli. I asked the usual questions, like how deep she was and whether she could meet me to show me the area. She told me that it was her sons 12th birthday and they had already made plans. Since she was still on the beach, I asked her to turn around and take a couple of pictures of what was behind her to give me a reference point. She also told me that she was about waist deep. I told her I’d be out there about 7 p.m. to work the outgoing tide.

On my way down to Garden City around 7 p.m. a big storm with heavy rain and lots of lightening started. It was one of those storms where people drive 5 mph and have their emergency flashers on. I sent Kelli a voice text saying that I may have to call the search off for the night because of the storm. I wanted to keep going to see if the storm would stop by the time I got there, although it didn’t look good. I could handle the rain because I was going to get wet anyway. But, with 2 lightning rods in the form of a metal sand scoop and handle in one hand and a metal detector in the other and standing in the ocean would probably not work out to well for me.

When I got to the beach, the storm had stopped. I walked out on the beach and found the reference points Kelli shared in her photos. It wasn’t that big of a search area, and I did my normal grid search. From Kelli’s explanation, I really expected her rings would be on the lower part of the sloop. I worked from the high tide line out to knee deep on a falling tide and only found 2 fishing weights. I expanded my search to the south, with no luck and then tried to extend it to the north. It was getting dark by then and I was just about to call it a night. That’s about the same time a family of 5 or 6 decided to come out and shoot off very loud fireworks. I called it a night and sent Kelli a text saying I couldn’t find them. I didn’t say anything to Kelli, but I had already made up my mind that I was going back in the morning at low tide.

I arrived back the next morning at 10 just before low tide and started a fresh grid search. I was able to go from the dry sand to about knee deep.  From the pictures Kelli sent, I knew I was looking for white gold rings, but I did confirm it with her. With that in mind, I knew the VDI (visual display indicator) numbers on the Equinox 800 would be in the low single digits for the engagement ring (2-6) and middle to low double digits (9-12) for the wedding band. I started to the south of the southern mark in the pictures and worked north. I was less than 10 lines over when I hit a solid 6 on the VDI. Bingo! This should be the engagement ring. A couple of scoops of wet sand and I had her engagement ring. Ok, so the wedding band should be within a few feet. I searched and searched both north/south and east/west from the engagement ring spot, nothing. In the process I lost my spot so, I started on my last grid line and started working north. A few yards away and higher on the slope I got a solid 9, I had the wedding band. Again, a couple of scoops and saw the wedding band sticking out of the sand.

Kelli had told me that they were leaving that morning to go back home, so I would have to mail them back to her. I made my way back to the car, rings in my pocket and text Kelli with a picture of her rings saying, “GOOD MORNING, what do you think? I think you’re getting your rings back!!!” She immediately responded, “Oh my god!!! I’m still in such shock! Thank YOUUU.”  I love the surprises and making returns. She got her rings back in the mail today, Thursday and as her picture shows, she’s very happy!

Kelli – Thank you for trusting and allowing me to help find your precious treasures. I wish you all the best.

Jim

 

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Man’s Rose Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On August 18, 2026, and just before noon, I saw a Facebook recommendation on a lost ring in Myrtle Beach. Shortly afterwards, I received a text message from Haley saying, “Hello, My husband lost his wedding ring on August 13th in Myrtle Beach. I was wondering if you would help us try to find it. It’s very special to him. Please let me know if you are able to help and I can send more information.” I immediately replied asking her to call me. When she called, she told me they were behind the Hampton Inn & Suites in Myrtle Beach. She also said that he lost it on August 13th at 7 p.m. When I checked the tide tables, it would have been about 2 hours before high tide. My biggest concern was that it had been out there for 5 days. With all the locals and tourist hunting the beaches with detectors, I’d be surprised if it was still out there. I did a quick Google search for the address and saw that the Hampton was on the south end of Myrtle Beach. It was also away from the main hotels lining the beach and kind of set off by itself. This could make a big difference in the number of people hunting the beaches there. I checked the tide tables for the 18th, and it showed the cycles reversed and low tide was just before 7 p.m. I told her I’d get there about 5 p.m. and would do my best.

When I arrived, there was no one on the beach. Haley had mentioned that her husband, John had been to the left of the lifeguard stand when he lost his ring. I called Haley just to confirm that I was lined up with where they had been. John got on the phone, and I told him I was in front of the lifeguard stand and facing the resort. Then I asked him whether I go to the left, or right? He replied to the left. Taking all the clues Haley and John gave me, like time and tide, how it came off and a few other things; I was expecting to find his ring on the low side of the sloop.  I started an east/west grid search from the left of the lifeguard stand, down the slope and out to about knee deep. I decided to extend my search out into the ocean, just to make sure. I was on maybe my sixth or seventh grid line and about three quarters of the way down the sloop when I got an iffy signal and started digging. After 5 days of continuous sand movement, I figured the heavy rose gold ring would be deep. It took 4 full scoops of sand to get the target out of the hole. With each scoop, I’d check the hole and the target was getting stronger and reading between a 13 and 15 on the VDI (visual display indicator). These are great numbers for a man’s Rose Gold ring. When I had the target on the beach, I spread the sand out with my foot and saw John’s Wedding band. I cleaned it off and took a short video of me holding the ring and sent it to Haley, then called her. She was shocked and said she was not going to tell John and let him be surprised. I had to call her back for something and she told me then she couldn’t hold it in any longer and told John. She said he was overwhelmed. I got their address and got the ring in the mail and on its way home.

Today, Monday I got a text from Haley saying, “It’s on his finger!!!! Thank you so so much. We will get that picture tonight.”

Haley – Thank you for contacting me to help find your lost treasure. Best wishes to you and John!

Jim

 

 

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Lost Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring at Kuhio Beach Waikiki…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring find began when my fellow ring finder Don referred me to John who was on a Family Reunion vacation in Waikiki from his home State of Washington.  John and his lovely wife Vanessa were enjoying the cool waters of Kuhio Beach when Vanessa decided to have John hold her White Gold & Diamonds Engagement Ring for safe keeping.  During the exchange at peak a tide, in chest deep water,  a wave crashed into them and the ring fell into the water and disappeared.  They hunted for nearly 2 hours with not recovery.  I told John I would pack my gear,  park at the zoo and we could hunt the ring in about 15 minutes.  John was my marker in the water and I did a massive expanding grid search with no hint of the ring.  We were about to call it a day as the sun had set and we were losing light.  Suddenly, Vanessa appeared on the beach and motioned to us in the water that we were in the wrong area.  She walked down the beach to the east and got to a point and said it was straight out from there.  John went out into the water again to be my marker.  Daylight was fading fast!  On the second leg of the grid search, BOOM! screaming target and in one scoop there was the amazing ring in the scoop.  “We got it” I yelled to John.  He came running over and gave me a bear hug.  Tourists on the beach were clapping and congratulating Vanessa & John.  What a moment!  I only wish Vanessa had been there sooner.  Why is it the wives seem to always be better at pinpointing a location???  A big Aloha to Vanessa and John!  Here’s to a wonderful remainder of your family reunion!

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Wedding Ring Recovered in the Sand Just Before First Anniversary

  • from Norman (Oklahoma, United States)
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A tungsten wedding ring disappeared into the sand during a volleyball game, just a few weeks before its owner’s first wedding anniversary.

Fortunately, he had a good idea of the general area where the ring was lost. That makes a huge difference with recoveries like this. We marked out the likely search area, established a methodical grid, and began working the sand section by section.

Within just a few minutes, the detector gave us the signal we were hoping for.

A quick recovery from the sand, and the tungsten wedding band was back where it belonged — on his hand, with plenty of time to spare before that first anniversary.

When you lose a ring, try to remember the smallest possible area where it may have come off and avoid disturbing the area more than necessary. Even a rough location can dramatically improve the chances of a fast recovery.

Tungsten ring recovered in Oklahoma city

Tungsten ring recovered in Oklahoma city

owner holding the recovered ring in oklahoma city

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Lost Platinum Wedding Band at Hale Koa Volleyball Courts…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
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This ring hunt occurred yesterday evening when I got a call from Noa who lives in Aina Haina on Oahu.  While going up to block a volleyball spike at 50 MPH, the ball struck Noa’s Platinum Wedding band and he felt it come off.  They immediately halted the game to see if anyone had spotted where it landed.  Unfortunately no one did.  They ran there hands lightly across the sand where they thought it would be but to no avail.  Noa reached out to me and I agreed I’d come right down before the night crew of detectorists hit the beach.  Easy parking and when I arrived Noa had already drawn a box of where the ring should be.  I fired up the Manticore and started the search.  The area was mostly sterile of targets.  I covered the eastern half of the court and no ring was found.  I expanded out in every direction on the eastern half but no ring.  Surprisingly, I found a 1927 Buffalo Nickel!  I even went perpendicular to my previous search, just in case.  I talked to Noa and his lovely wife Camille and the only thing left was to try the western half of the court but none of us were hopeful knowing how the ball hit Noa’s hand and the probable trajectory of his ring.  Then on about the fourth line of the grid I got a booming target and in one scoop I could here a heavy clunking in the scoop.  To all of our surprise, it was Noa’s Platinum Ring.  We can’t imagine how it got to that location just thankful to Jesus it was found.  Then there were hugs of relief all around.  Aloha to Noa & Camille!

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