#how do I find a lost gold ring in the sand Tag | Page 2 of 5 | The Ring Finders

Gold Wedding Ring Lost In Thick Vegetation After Being Stung By Wasps, In Windham Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Monday evening, July 21st, I received the following voicemail

“Hi, My name is Brooke T******* and I live in the Town of Windham, Maine. My husband and I, um, he was mowing the lawn, the other day and was stung by a couple of hornets and he was swatting around and his wedding ring flew off, in our yard or maybe the woods nearby. We’ve been searching and haven’t been able to find it, um, I came out to try and help him and I also got stung by four and one was in the eye. It’s been quite a few interesting days. We did get a friend’s metal detector but we still haven’t been able to find it. We’ve heard good things about you guys and thought we’d just call and see if you might be able to help, as well. If you get this message and wouldn’t mind calling, at some point. My number is 508-***-****. Thank you so much, bye, bye.”
I called her back as soon as I heard the voicemail. Brooke explained that 4 days earlier, on Thursday July 17th, her husband, Mike, had been mowing the lawn, when he unknowingly ran over an underground hornets nest. The hornets came flying out, of the underground hole and started attacking him. As Mike was running, trying to get away, he was swatting the bees off and flinging his arms around, trying to keep the hornets away. Mike was stung multiple times and when Brooke went out to help him, she was also attacked and stung multiple times, including a sting, right next to her eye. The eye area immediately started swelling and she needed immediate medical attention, at a local quick care facility. Mike woke up the next morning and his arm was extremely swollen and also needed medical attention. Both Brooke and Mike were put on medication, to help alleviate the symptoms of the hornets stings.
At some point, the previous day, after being stung, Mike realized his white gold wedding ring had gone missing. Most likely when he was flailing his arms, after being attacked by the hornets. So, once the hornets nest was taken care of and filled in. Mike and Brooke borrowed a friend’s metal detector and searched their lawn, with no luck. They told me the detector kept making noises but there was never anything there, when they looked. I told Brooke that the noises she was hearing, were most likely targets, in the ground. I also told her that if they had never used a metal detector before, it would be very difficult to understand what was going on. The metal detector will beep on anything metal, above and below the ground. It will beep on ferrous and non ferrous metals. If you don’t understand what the machine is telling you, you will get frustrated very quickly. That is why I always tell clients not to go buy or rent a metal detector. In most instances you will be wasting your money. You are better off by calling us, The Ring Finders of Maine. Not only are we less money, than renting a metal detector but Gary Hill and I have 40 years of experience, between us. I will also bring an extra detector, if a client would like to help, at no cost, other than our Transportation Costs, that’s it.
I told Brooke that Gary and I were currently searching for 2 lost Gold rings in the Ferry Beach State Park area, of Saco, Maine. We could only search for those gold rings at low tide and once those were found, I would call her back and set up a date and time to search for Mike’s wedding ring. I explained that Mike’s ring was on private property and wouldn’t be going anywhere but the two gold rings, in the ocean, were an emergency, because of the tides, waves and possibly other metal detectorists. Brooke totally understood! Unfortunately, it took Gary, myself and my clients son, Ben, the next 4 days, before Ben finally recovered the two rings, on Friday, July 25th. That same day, we received 2 more emergency call outs, with Gary going to Ocean Park Beach, to search for a pair of prescription glasses and I went to Ogunquit Beach, to search for 3 lost gold and diamond rings. Gary recovered the glasses but I didn’t find the rings, on Friday, but was heading back to Ogunquit, Maine: Beautiful Place by the Sea, pre dawn, in the morning. Meanwhile, Brooke contacted me on Saturday morning and asked if I would be able to come and search this weekend. I explained that I had just returned from Ogunquit, Maine and had found the 3 gold and diamond rings and was now at Bayview Beach, in Saco, searching for a lifeguard’s lost gold pendant. I wasn’t wasn’t sure how long I would be. Gary had already left, this morning and was driving his grandson back to South Carolina and wouldn’t be available. Sunday, Cheryl and I were going to Boston, to a Boston Red Sox game. I told Brooke that I could do any morning, next week starting on Tuesday July 29. Brooke and I ended up agreeing to a search on Friday, August 1st.

Today, August 1st, Cheryl and I arrived promptly at 8:00am and Brooke and Mike came right out, to meet us. Mike had to leave and get his two sons to rec camp but first took me to the area where the underground hornets nest had been. The underground nest was now defunct and filled in, thankfully. Mike showed me the route he ran , as he was fleeing the hornets. The grass hadn’t been mowed, which is a good thing, and because of the lack of rain, the grass wasn’t tall at all. If the ring were on the lawn, I would think it would have been visible to find. Mike and Brooke had already metal detected the lawn, along with visually searching, many times, without finding the ring. Mike had also started cutting back the overgrown wild raspberries vines, and other thick vegetation. I told Mike that I would grid the lawn, just to eliminate that area. The lawn wasn’t very large and I could do it in approximately 15 minutes. I would then try and get in the thick vegetation and vines, as best I could. Mike then left with his sons and Brooke had to get to work.
I did grid search the lawn in approximately 15 minutes and the ring was not found. I decided to enter the thick vegetation just behind where the underground hornets nest had been. I really couldn’t swing my detector very well, because of all the vines. I would stand on the vines, best I could without getting pricked and swing over the area as best as I could. Some areas I couldn’t swing at all and I took off my 11” coil, used on the lawn and put my 8” elliptical coil on. The small elliptical coil worked much better, in the thick vegetation because if I couldn’t swing it properly, I could push it between the vines much better. I still wasn’t able to search every square foot, but I was able to cover much more ground, with the smaller coil. After approximately 15 minutes in the overgrown brush, I finally received a good sounding target. A nice loud low tone, repeating on the VDI screen at 29-30. Definitely a good sounding and looking target. As I looked down, into the extremely thick vegetation, I still couldn’t see the target. I got my pinpointer out and located the target. Even with the pinpointer, I still couldn’t see the target. Whatever it was, it was deep in the vegetation. As I started removing the vegetation, I caught a glimpse of a round, silver colored ring. A white gold ring? After taking a few photos, I picked the ring up and it was very heavy. It was Mike’s wedding ring, which has now been lost for 15 days. I called Brooke and told her I had found the ring and because she and Mike both work from home, she came right out but Mike was on a call, but would be out shortly. I showed Brooke the area I found the wedding ring but because of the prickly vines and heavy vegetation, she couldn’t get all the way out to where I was. She was elated and said, “ You are amazing “. Mike then came out and I showed him the spot where I found it and he agreed that the ring would never have be found , visually. It truly is amazing how a ring can just disappear, from sight. The ring was found approximately 10” to 12” from the edge of the lawn and without a metal detector, it wouldn’t have been found. I gave Mike his ring back and he immediately put it back on. Brooke had told us that Mike “Felt Naked Without His Ring On”. Mike gave me a nice big firm handshake and a nice big smile. He was so happy to finally have his almost 10 year wedding ring back on his finger, where it belongs. I love being able to do this for others but also for myself. There is no better feeling than to hand back a lost item to the rightful owner and see the happiness, on their face. 😀❤️🙏

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Two Gold and Diamond Rings Lost In The Saco, Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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What’s worse than losing a ring? How about two rings?

On Monday July 21st, I received a phone call, from Nicolas. Nicolas told me that his mother had just lost two gold rings, in the water, in the Ferry Beach State Park area, of Saco, Maine. I asked Nicolas when she lost the rings and how deep was the water, when she lost the rings. Nicolas replied , “fifteen minutes ago and about two feet of water.” I knew it was just about low tide and with the tide now coming in, I wanted to try and find them, before the water was too deep. I immediately grabbed my Minelab Excalibur and headed to the Ferry Beach State Park area. I arrived at 3:00pm and met Nicolas, Carole (Owner of the lost rings) and Ben, another of Carole’s sons. The tide had now been coming in for an hour and there was no time to waste. I started searching the water with the help of Carole, Nicolas and Ben. Carole went to the spot, she thought she was, when she lost the two gold rings. Nicolas stood to the south, of Carole and this was to be the furthest south, the rings should be. Ben stood to the north, for the boundary, in that direction. Carole explained to me that she was standing, in the water, with her back to the open sea. As she was standing, in the water, facing the shore, a wave hit her hard and as the wave knocked her forward, it also hit her outstretched hand, taking both rings off. Carole saw the rings come off and tried grabbing them but they disappeared, into the surf. She immediately yelled to her family members, up on the beach and they immediately started searching for the rings, with Carole. Unfortunately, trying to find rings in the water and waves, is an impossible task.

Since the tide was coming in, I wanted to start as far out, as I could. With the depth of the water and the waves, I felt I had a good chance of finding them. I just didn’t know if I would be able to get out fat enough to. I performed a north to south grid search, working my way towards the shore. After an hour of searching, I called it quits for the day. The water was now too deep to perform a proper search. I told Carole and her family, I would be back, the next afternoon and search once again. The vacationing family, from Québec, Canada told me that they were taking the children, to Funtown Splashtown USA, for the day and would not be there.I told them I was comfortable with the area that needed to be searched and to enjoy their day at Funtown Splashtown.
The next day, Tuesday, I returned to resume my search at 12:45pm, for a 3:30pm, 0.07 low tide. Approximately the same low tide as the previous day. I immediately got into the water, following the tide out, until 3:30pm, when the tide started coming in again. I found a few fishing sinkers and some can slaw. I also got hit by a wave, knocking me off my feet and into the water. After 2 1/2 more hours of searching, the rings were not found, once again. I messaged Nicholas and told him the not so good news. I also reminded him that Wednesday, I would not be able to come down and search, as I had a previous commitment. The low tide, the next day, Wednesday, was going to be the same as the low tide I had just searched in. I now had my sights on Thursday morning and a negative low tide of – 0.07. This negative low tide will be way out there, possibly out far enough, that the rings would no longer be underwater and the search would be much easier. Unfortunately, once low tide arrives, it immediately starts coming back in. I wouldn’t have long to search the low tide area. For this reason, I called Gary Hill, to see if he was available, to help me, on Thursday morning. Gary signed up for the search.
Gary and I arrived at the beach at 4:30am, for the 5:22am low tide. It was still dark out and was a little difficult to see, without headlamps. It wasn’t long before the sky started turning beautiful, without headlamps the sun rising. It also meant, the tide wos about to turn. Ben came down at 5:00am and he had a beginner’s metal detector, his children had brought, on vacation. So now, there were three of us searching but again, no rings were found. To understand just how large an area we were searching, try and picture a football field and another half field. It’s a large area and we didn’t have much time to, to cover it all of the changing tide. Losing a ring, in the water, at low tide, is the worst time to lose it. Just not much time to effectively search. I told Ben that Gary and I would be back again, the following morning, same time, to search another -0.07 low tide. I also asked Ben if he would like me to leave my Minelab CTX-3030 metal detector and long handle sand scoop , for him to use, tonight. He wouldn’t be able to go out to deep but he could certainly search close to shore. He would also be able to use it tomorrow morning, when Gary and I returned. For an area so large, we needed all hands on deck, so to speak. Ben readily agreed to help, by using my backup detector.
This morning, Gary and I arrived pre dawn once again and immediately started searching again. Ben came down around 5:00am and after a quick lesson, with the CTX-3030, Ben started searching. I was searching close to shore, along the rocks, Gary was mid beach section and Ben was also searching, in the rocky area. We were all searching north to south. Low tide was going to be at 6:14am and it was decided to go out as close to the water as possible and start grid searching, water towards the shore. I went out the furthest, Ben was next and then Gary. As we all worked our way towards the shore and 5 minutes, past low tide, Ben received and dug a target. He called Gary over to search the dug sand pile, with the pinpointer. I wasn’t paying attention as I was trying to stay ahead of the incoming tide. All of a sudden, I hear Gary say, “He got one of the rings”. That got my attention and immediately rushed over to them. They were standing looking at the first found ring. I ran my coil over the pile of sand and I received a nice loud low tone. I told Ben and Gary, “I bet you anything, this is the other ring.” I was that confident. Gary took out his pinpointer and searched the sand pile. As he was moving the sand around, his pinpointer went off and I saw the others ring. I picked it up, washed it off and handed it to Ben. Ben not only found the rings, he dug both of them from the same hole. Unbelievable! On the 4th day of the search, both rings were now going back on Carole’s finger. Not all searches are completed on day one. This search was 4 days and if the rings weren’t found today, Gary and I were coming back, pre dawn, once again the next morning. Persistence pays off and thankfully, we don’t like losing or giving up easily.
Ben texted Carole and she came right down to us. She was all smiles, giving us all hugs and smiling ear to ear. Carole had told me the previous day that she was going crazy about the lost rings. I told her she would sleep well tonight and not go crazy, anymore. She readily agreed. It’s such a great feeling, for Gary and I to help Carole and her family, when they need us. The will be returning to Canada tomorrow morning but Gary and I have new friends now and they are all smiling. There is no better feeling than to see someone get their lost item back and see them smile, once again 😁❤️🙏

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Custom Made Gold Diamond Ring Lost In The Eliot, Maine Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Saturday evening at just after 5:00pm, I received the following text message.

“Hello I lost a gold ring at my family party today. We’ve been looking in her yard for hours and can’t find it. We are in Eliot, Maine. Do you know if you can come this far south to help me find it.”

I immediately called back and was told that his name is Dustin. Dustin was at a family gathering of his parents, Aunts, Uncle’s, Cousins, etc.. Dustin had recently had Achilles Tendon Surgery and wasn’t able to do much, as far as walking far distances or running. There was a tent set up in the back yard and Dustin was sitting at the table, under the tent. Lobster was being served and Dustin removed gold ring, with a single diamond in it. He didn’t want to get the lobster, butter and juices, all over his new ring, of one month. Dustin took the ring off and put it in the pocket of his khaki shorts, along with his keys. Dustin had some gold necklaces melted down and had the gold ring with the diamond, custom made, for himself. He said he had it made with Jyotish Astrology, in mind, something that Dustin has an interest in.

Once the meal was over, Dustin and his cousins played some football. Since Dustin couldn’t run or move around much, he was the so called “Designated Quarterback”. He could just throw the ball to his cousins, while just standing there. Once the game was over, Dustin started walking to his car and reached into his pocket for his ring and car keys. He pulled his keys out, but his new ring was missing. The entire family started searching for the ring. The area was small, since Dustin had only been at the table, under the tent set, when he took the ring off, and the to the area where he stood to throw the football. An area of approximately 25’ X 60’ and the path he took as he walked towards the driveway, where he was parked. That’s the entire area and yet, the ring wasn’t found. That is when Dustin called me. I told Dustin that I was also at a dinner and that by the time I got my equipment and drove to Eliot, it wouldn’t give me much time to search, before it got dark. I asked if I could come and search, first thing in the morning, at 8.00am. Since the ring was on private property, no one else would be finding the ring. Dustin agreed and was happy to know that I would be able to help.

Cheryl and I left our home, in Saco, Maine at 7:00am and arrived at the search area at 8:00am. Dustin was there to greet us and show us the area, where he thinks the ring was hiding in the grass. I must admit, the grass was nice and thick, almost like a carpet. This grass could absolutely hide a ring. Dustin really thought the ring would be in the area, he took the ring off, and where he was sitting, under the tent. If not there, it would be in the area where he was throwing the football, just 25’ to 30’ away. I told Dustin that I would grid search the entire area, he had been in, yesterday. I would start in the area of the tent and the table. I would then work my way towards the area he had stood, throwing the football. I should be able to search the entire 25’ to 60’, in less than an hour. As I worked my way across the lawn, I wasn’t getting many non ferrous targets but when I did, I checked the thick grass with my pinpointer. Unfortunately the ring wasn’t found after approximately 45 minutes of searching. I then asked Dustin what path he took towards his vehicle and where was he when he took the keys out of his pocket. Dustin couldn’t remember the exact area but it was either along the wall of where the ten was or just another 5’ or 10’ to the right of that. I searched that area and came up empty again. Since I only had another 10 feet or so, to a large bush, I decided to grid search, over to the bush. As I kept going, I wasn’t getting many almost to the bush when Dusting said he never went that far over, towards the bush. I told Dustin that I just wanted to finish the area, so I would remember what has and hasn’t been searched. Just another minute or so and only one more grid line, from the bush, I received a very loud signal, showing 67 to 69 on my VDI screen. The VDI was also showing the target was on or very near the top of the soil. As I looked down, in the thick grass, I didn’t see the target. I reached into the thick grass and started pushing the grass away. I then saw a gold ring. I had finally found it. I then asked Cheryl to come over and bring the paper towel, so I could wipe away the sweat, from my face. It was just a ploy, to tell her I had found the ring. I asked her to start filming a video, when I asked Dustin to come over to me and answer some questions. When Dustin arrived to where I was , I asked him a question and as he answered, I reached down into the grass, picked the ring up and said, “I got it”, holding the ring up so Dustin could see it. I saw his smile break out and he said “Oh dude, thank you so much , man oh man” as he pumped his fists, high 5’d me and gave me a hug. Dustin was very happy to have his ring back. He couldn’t believe I found it so close to the bush. He said he was never that close to the bush. I told him that we always find rings where people don’t think we would find them. Possibly Dustin did go that far over and just doesn’t remember. We will never know. I do know that this ring was really hidden in the thick grass. It never would have been found, visually. Thankfully, my metal detector is my eyes 👀 and it may have taken an hour, but it was finally located. If I don’t find the lost item, in an area, I will just keep expanding the area. Everyone knew it was there, it was just a matter of getting my coil over it.
Once again, a successful recovery and a smiling client. I love helping others out, like Dustin, in their time of need. It’s just the best feeling in the world to see those smiles, when I hand over their very precious, sentimental item back to them. It the best job in the world ❤️🙏

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Very Sentimental Silver and Gold Wedding Ring Lost In Scarborough Pine Point Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Thursday evening, at 7:33pm, I received a phone call from Sam. Sam had been skim boarding, in Pine Point Beach, Maine, a neighborhood located in the Town of Scarborough, Maine Approximately a half hour earlier, Sam lost his extremely sentimental wedding ring, while skim boarding. Sam said he was about to wipe out and as he was trying to regain his balance, he felt his wedding ring slipping off. Sam and his wife and other family members, were sitting on the beach, when he lost his ring. Everyone immediately started searching the wet sand and water. Sam was not sure which way the ring went flying off but thought it went behind him, to the north, as he was flailing his arms, to regain his balance. After searching for a half hour, the ring was still not located and Sam called me. I told Sam that I could be there in 25 to 30 minutes. I also knew that the tide was now heading out and that was to our advantage. I also knew that once I arrived, I would have less than an hour of daylight left and if the ring hadn’t been found, I would be searching in the dark.

Once I arrived, just a little after 8:00pm, I met Sam and his wife Annie. Sam told me the ring was his grandfather’s wedding ring and it was both silver and gold. Sam was already thinking ahead and he had marked, with a line, an area to the north and to the south. The ring he said, should be within these boundary lines but he wasn’t sure about the depth of the boundary line, because he just didn’t know if the ring had flown off his finger, to the east and into the water or to the west, towards the dry sand, where his family was sitting, watching him skimboard I decided to start my south, north grid search, in the area where Sam felt his ring coming off. I would then keep gridding back and forth, following the tide out. After approximately 20 minutes, It was suggested by a family member that I should start searching up higher, near the dry sand. I did that and when the ring wasn’t found up high, near the dry sand, I went back to where I had stopped a few minutes earlier. Annie and Sam thought the ring would be found on the lower left of the grid area, as you faced the ocean. After an hour of not finding the ring, it was getting very dark. I could not see my grid lines and this was imperative, to a successful recovery. I then Told Sam and Annie that I would now search in grid fashion, east to west, so my grid lines would be much shorter and I would be able to see the better. Approximately 15 minutes later Sam and Annie left, telling Cheryl and I we should call it off, until it was light out. I knew I could complete the remaining search area in just another 15-20 minutes. If I hadn’t found the ring, by then, I would stop for the evening, returning the next evening. I couldn’t come back down in the morning because Gary and I had already been booked , in York, Maine, at Short Sands Beach. As I approached the last two grid lines, to be searched, I told Cheryl I was stopping, once these two lines were completed. As I turned and headed east, towards the water, I received a very loud signal. My detector was telling me it was not very deep, maybe 2-3 inches and that the target was a high conductor, reading 93-95 on my VDI screen. This was definitely in the sterling silver range and I immediately plunged my sand scoop, into the wet sand and threw the sand, up onto the beach, in a pile. I ran my detector, over the pile of sand and the target was definitely out of the hole and in the pile. I took my pinpointer and started flattening the sand out, until I located the target. As I kept removing the sand, I saw a ring come into focus, in the darkness. Cheryl put her phone flashlight on and as I picked the ring up, we could see the gold also. We have found Sam’s wedding ring. I took a few photos and Called Sam, to give him the great news. He didn’t answer. I then sent a text message, congratulating him and sent him the photos. After arriving at home, Sam replied to my text, saying

“I CANT BELIEVE THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I will call you tomorrow! My phone ringer was off. You’re an absolute lifesaver. Cannot wait to make a post about this on Facebook. That’s the one without a doubt. Seriously you’re the man! I cannot describe how much that ring means and the service you provided!”

This morning, we communicated and I would meet Sam, late afternoon, in Pine Point, to return his ring. Once I arrived Sam and Annie thanked Cheryl and I for not giving up and finding his wedding ring. Sam and Annie told Cheryl and I that the wedding ring was once Sam’s grandfather’s wedding ring. Sam was and still is extremely close to his grandfather and grandmother who are both still living and have been married for approximately 60+- years. Sam told us that his grandfather taught him so much, including his love of fishing, that still exists today. When Sam got married, his grandfather GAVE SAM HIS WEDDING RING, so that Sam would have it as his own wedding ring. That’s right, Sam’s grandfather, still married (60+- years) , gave up his own wedding ring, to the grandson he loved so much, so that his ring, would live on in the marriage of his beloved grandson. WOW!!! WHAT A GIFT, WHAT A STORY ❤️
I personally have never heard of anyone doing this before. Passing down your own wedding ring, while still married truly shows the love between Sam and his grandfather. What an incredible gift. As I often say, every ring has a story and this is an incredible story. Now this 60+- year old ring lives on with a new chapter, in its story. I just absolutely love hearing stories like this and it just drives me to do more good. Helping people like Sam, in their time of need is the greatest job in the world ❤️🙏

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Engagement Ring Lost In The Old Orchard Beach, Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received the following text, from Amanda, at 4:16pm, on Monday, July 14, 2025

“Hi Dennis, Unfortunately I lost my engagement ring on Old Orchard Beach Maine just outside of On The Beach Motel. I was wondering if you would be able to help? Thanks, Amanda”

I didn’t bother to text Amanda back, I immediately called her to get more details and information of what had happened. As it turns out, Amanda lost her Engagement Ring, the way a lot of people lose their rings, at the beach. Amanda had taken her Engagement Ring off, to apply sunscreen to herself and her children. Amanda had placed the engagement ring, on top of her beach bag and forgot about it. Amanda and her family were enjoying a beautiful beach day and when it was time to leave, her husband picked the bag up and they returned to their room, at the oceanfront motel they were staying at, called “On The Beach Motel”, located at 61 W Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Once back in the room, at “On The Beach Motel”, Amanda remembered the engagement ring. Stephen searched through her beach bag and the room. She retraced her steps, back to their location, on the beach. She scoured the soft sand, where they had been set up for the day. No engagement ring was found. She went to “On The Beach Motel’s” office, to see if anyone had turned the ring in. No one had turned it in. The ring has now been lost for 2 hours and this is when Amanda contacted me. Once I had all the details, I told Amanda that I would leave instantly and be there in approximately 20 minutes. I just needed to change into my beach detecting attire and get my equipment, off the charger and into the vehicle. Amanda told me that when I arrive m she would meet me, on the beach, approximately 100’ to the right, of the “On The Beach Motel’s” beach access path.
When I arrived at the beach, I could see a woman standing out on the beach, looking down at the sand, in the area that Amanda said she would meet me. As I reached her she introduced herself and showed me the area she thought the ring would be in. I took a White Gold test ring and threw it into the sand. The ring quickly disappeared out of sight, into the very fine soft sand. Once I located the gold ring, I told Amanda that that would be the sound/tone that I would be listening for. I then showed her I would pinpoint the location, with my pinpointer. This always seems to reassure my clients that if the ring is there, they will also hear what I hear. They also seem comforted, knowing my detector and I know what we are doing.
I told Amanda that I would start my grid search, at the top of the banking, leading down the the water. This is also called “The Towel Line” to us metal detectorists because it is the first area people place their towels, when they arrive at the beach. It is the most sought after location, on the beach and this is where Amanda and her family had set up for the day. So, I started at the towel line and headed south, parallel to the water. I received a few very nice low tone signals and they both turned out to be just foil peel offs, from juice containers. Once I reached approximately 30’ or so, I stopped and turned around, heading back towards where I started, but not until I took a 1/2 step to my left. As I was heading north, on my new grid line, I received another very low tone and it was a VDI reading of 09 to 10. Definitely in the small gold ring range but also the dreadful foil targets. I felt confident on this one though. Just sounds a little better than foil. I took my pinpointer and located the target. I started carefully removing the sand m from atop the target. As I had removed 2 or 3 inches of sand, a White Gold Ring with Diamonds appeared, before me. I picked it up and showed Amanda and she very loudly stated, “That’s it, that’s my ring”. After a congratulatory fist bump, I handed Amanda the ring and also got a nice hug and a very big smile, from her. She was smiling ear to ear. From the time of her text to me, to me driving down to Old Orchard and me finding the ring, a total of just 34 minutes had past. Not to bad.
It is such a beautiful thing to see all the people go from down, despondent,anxious, etc., to smiling, hugging, laughing and just feeling great. I also feel great that I get to see and experience this quite often. There is no better feeling or job in the world.
As a side note I would like to address the importance of getting The Ring Finders of Maine to your location, asap. The area where the ring was lost in, “The Towel Line” is an area that many, many metal detectorist’s first go to, in the evening, after the beach goers, leave for the day. If Amanda hadn’t called me asap, the engagement may have been found by someone else and who knows if she would have ever gotten it back.
“The Towel Line” is also in the path of the “Beach Cleaning Machine”. If the ring was still there, in the morning, the “Beach Cleaning Machine” would definitely have gotten the ring and the ring would be gone forever. Time is of the essence, when you lose something, in a public space, like the beach or a park. Get us there asap by calling us as soon as you realize your item is missing. Don’t chance it by waiting to call because it may be to late to recover your item ❤️🙏

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53 Year Old Wedding Ring Lost For Seven Days In The Saco, Maine Sand Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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This is the last, of three rings, I recovered and returned, on Friday, July 11th.

The previous evening, Thursday July, 10th, I received a text message, from Ray W., in Stratham, New Hampshire. Ray is a fellow metal detectorist and also helps people recover their lost rings and has many recoveries, to his credit. Ray told me that he saw a posting, about a lost wedding ring, at Kinney Shores, Maine, in Saco, Maine. Ray said the wedding ring was lost, on July 4th, on the beach, near a lifeguard stand. Ray said he was an hour away from Kinney Shores Beach but I live in Saco and am just 4 miles down the road. Ray asked if he could contact the woman, who lost her wedding ring and give her my information. Absolutely give her my information. I love making recoveries, in my hometown. I told Ray that I was already booked in Ogunquit, Maine, very early the next morning but if she contacted me, I would be able to get to Kinney Shores, late morning or afternoon. Ray said he would contact her right then and give her my contact information.
So, after a successful recovery, in Ogunquit, Maine: Beautiful Place by the Sea, I came home and started running errands around Saco and then to Kennebunkport, Maine. While in the Town of Kennebunkport, I was contacted about a lost wedding ring, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. I told them I would be there in an hour or so. I was then contacted again, about a lost wedding ring, in Kinney Shores. The woman identified herself as Toni. Toni told me that she was given my information, from Ray and asked if I could help her find her wedding ring, of 53 years. Wow, 53 years she has been wearing that ring and I really wanted to find it for her. I told Her I should be able to meet her there between 2:00pm and 3:00pm. She said that was great and to just call her, when I started over to Kinney Shores. Toni lived only 10 minutes away and would go straight over and meet me, next to the Lifeguard stand.

Once I arrived back in the area, Cheryl and I immediately headed to Old Orchard for the lost wedding ring there. Thankfully, I recovered that one in 5 to 7 minutes. As soon as I got in my vehicle, I called Toni and told her I was heading to Kinney Shores. She said that she would be right there. From the lost ring in Old Orchard Beach Maine, to Toni’s lost ring, in Kinney Shores, is less than 1 1/2 miles from each other. I wasn’t complaining about that.

Once I arrived, Toni arrived just a few minutes later. I asked her what had happened, as to how the ring was lost. Toni told me that she and her husband had come to Kinney Shores on the evening of July 4th, to watch the fireworks. While waiting for the fireworks to start, her engagement and wedding rings were bothering her finger. She took both rings off and rubbed her finger. As she was putting both rings back on, someone close to her lit some fireworks or some firecrackers. They were extremely close and very loud. This has startled Toni so much, that she kind of jumped away, just as she was putting the rings back on her finger. Toni’s engagement ring made onto her finger but the wedding ring of 53 years, fell into the sand, disappearing. She and her husband immediately started searching for it but were not able to locate the ring. She even went back in the daylight, sifting the sand, from the area, to no avail. She thought it was gone forever and just before their 54th Anniversary, just a month away, in August. Man, I really want to find this extremely sentimental ring. She also told me the ring had diamonds on it.
I told her my concern is that a ring, missing for 7 days, on the beach don’t usually end well. The area is metal detected by other Detectorist’s and it may have been found already. One thing going in her favor is that this section of beach doesn’t get cleaned by the beach rake. I could tell it didn’t because of the abundance of seaweed. I started grid searching, south to north, parallel to the water. My first grid line resulted in just a few pieces of foil and aluminum pull tabs. I turned around and headed north but the result was the same, no ring. I turned and headed south again and after just a few feet, I received a signal that I liked the sound of. I took my pinpointer out and started wiping the sand away, until I saw GOLD. I had found her lost wedding ring, after a full week, in the sand. As I stood up, I was playing coy, making a face of disappointment. Toni saw my face and body language and asked, “What’s that mean?” Since I hadn’t taken the ring out of the sand, I just motioned for her to come over and take a look. As she looked, I pointed to the ring but so little of it was showing, Toni wasn’t sure what she was looking at. I reached into the sand, pulled her ring out and all joy broke loose. High fives and hugs, along with congratulations from those around us broke out. Toni was so happy to have her precious wedding ring, of almost 54 years back, just before her upcoming anniversary. I was truly surprised that after 7 days, the ring was right where she thought it would be. Toni is sleeping well again and after 3 recoveries and returns, starting at 3:00am, this morning I will be sleeping well also. It the best feeling in the world to return a lost item, to the rightful owner and when you have three, it is euphoria. So with three rings returned today, do I call it a “Hat Trick”, “Triple Play”, “Three Ring Circus” “Three-Peat” or something else. Let me know what you would call it. Either way, I have the best job in the world. ❤️🙏

We would like to wish Toni and her husband an early HAPPY 54th ANNIVERSARY. Congratulations! ❤️🍾🥂❤️

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Gold Wedding Band Lost In The Old Orchard Beach Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I had just returned home from a successful Recovery and Return, in the Town of Ogunquit and Cheryl and I had a slew of errands to do, including grocery shopping. Once I showered, we were out the door, headed to Kennebunkport Maine. While we were out and about and almost done with our errands, I had a text message come in at 10:40am.. It was now 12:09 and I don’t know how I missed this message, from 1 1/2 hours earlier . Anyways, this was what the message said,

“Hi Dennis! My name is Duke and my wife thinks she lost her wedding ring at Old Orchard Beach near the end of Pearl Ave. Is there anything you can do to help us?”

I immediately called Duke back. He told me that the previous evening, he, his wife (Francesca) and others had gone down to the beach, at Pearl Ave, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. They had gone down there to watch the weekly fireworks , put on by Palace Playland Amusement Park. The fireworks were scheduled for 9:45pm and Duke and Francesca had arrived early. While waiting for the fireworks to start, Francesca and Duke started horsing around, chasing each other, on the beach. While playfully running around, Francesca noticed her wedding ring was missing. The area they had been running around, wasn’t very large, maybe 20’ X 75’. Not knowing exactly where the ring came off, they and others started searching the sand but the ring was not located. The next morning, Friday July 11th, they returned to Pearl Ave and started searching again, looking and sifting through the sand. The ring was still not located. A beach goer had noticed what was going on and they were told about the missing ring. The beach goer knew about The Ring Finders of Maine’s Emergency Metal Detecting Services and told them they should contact me. That is when Duke, reached out to me.
After hearing the story, my first reaction was to ask Duke if the Beach Cleaning Machine had cleaned that section of beach, this morning. Duke replied that he hadn’t seen the beach cleaner and the sand was still full of footprints, from the previous evening. Hearing that was a huge relief. If the beach cleaner had gone through the area, the ring would have been scooped up with all the other trash and be long gone by now. I told Duke that I could certainly help search for the ring but I was in Kennebunkport and I would be back in the Old Orchard Beach Maine area around 2:00pm. Duke told me they would be there until I arrived and continue searching for the ring.
Once I arrived, just prior to 2:00pm, parking was at a premium. I couldn’t find parking, on Pearl St., so I went one street south of Pearl, on Union St. and found a spot to park, as someone was leaving. We entered the beach, on Union Avenue and headed north towards Pearl. As Cheryl and I were walking on the beach, I saw a couple, by themselves, with a metal detector, in the area of Pearl Ave.. As I approached, the person saw me and introduced himself. It was Duke and Francesca and Duke had gone to Walmart and purchased a metal detector. He had done this prior to contacting me. The young married couple had only found a few screws. They showed me the area they thought the ring would be in and where they had run around, the night before. Like I mentioned, it really wasn’t a large section and I estimated the entire area would only take me about 20 minutes. I explained to Francesca a Duke that I would perform a grid search, starting near the dune grass and working my way towards the water. I then had Duke throw his Gold Wedding Ring, into the sand. I would show Francesca and Duke how the metal detector works and the sound that the gold ring would make. I scanned my coil over the now disappeared ring and a nice loud low tone, emitted from the metal detector. This made the couple feel much better, knowing my detector would find the ring, once the coil went over it. I started my first grid line, up 75’ and turned around and headed back towards my starting point. Nothing on the first line, other tan 2 dimes and 2 pennies, along with a few pieces of foil. My second pass was not successful and neither was my 3 pass. On my 4th pass on the grid line, I received a loud low tone and I just knew this had to be the ring. Ringing up as an 18 on my VDI Screen was definitely in thee gold range but the tone, to me was unmistakable as gold. I removed my pinpointer and located the target, in the sand. I saw a beautiful shiny gold ring. I picked the ring up, turned towards everyone watching me and asked Francesca “Did you say the wedding ring is 14K Gold?’ She replied “Yes, it’s Gold”. I then held the ring up for everyone to see and said, “I found your ring”. Francesca hurriedly made her way towards me with a BIG smile. Cheers and clapping broke out from everyone in the area. A fantastic feeling of euphoria came over me. It had only taken me, maybe 5 to 7 minutes to find the ring. People shouted out congratulations and came over to shake my hand, along with a big hug from Francesca. Just a great feeling to be able to help others , in their time of need. The best feeling in the world and now I have recovered and returned two rings today.. I had found and returned a wedding ring in Ogunquit Beach, early this morning. Now I am heading to Kinney Shores, Maine, in Saco, Maine. That’s right. While still in Kennebunkport, Maine , Duke wasn’t the only person who contacted me. I would now be driving the 1 mile or so, to Kinney Shores to find a wedding ring, with diamonds, that had been lost on July 4th, a full week earlier. Will I make it 3 for 3 in ring searches for the day? Stay tuned, for more❤️🙏

 

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Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Ogunquit, Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Wednesday night at approximately 5:40pm, I received a phone call from Cindy. She was at Ogunquit Beach and her son, Kevin, had just lost his Gold Wedding Ring, in the ocean. Mary told me that Kevin was on his hands and knees, in the water, trying to find his ring. Mary asked if I could come to Ogunquit and try to find his wedding ring. I told Cindy that I would need to check the tide charts because I thought low tide had just passed and the tide should now be coming in. I told Cindy I would call her right back, after I checked the tide charts. As I checked the tide charts, my suspicion was correct. Low tide was at 5:00pm and it was now 5:45pm. I called Cindy back and told her that by the time I got my equipment loaded up in the vehicle and drive to Ogunquit Maine, the tide would be too high, to search for his ring. My best bet would be to see how low the 5:00pm tide was and compare it to the next morning’s low tide. I saw that the morning’s low tide, at 5:47am, would be 0.4, compared to the current low tide of 1.7. This means that the morning low tide would be out further, than the current low tide. I would be able to search just the wet sand and not worry about getting in the water. Perfect. I sent Cindy the information and told her I would be in Ogunquit, Maine, very early, to search for her son’s wedding ring. Cindy sent me a “pinned” location and a photo Kevin had taken, showing the shoreline, from the location he was searching for the ring. Great tools for the search and very smart of Kevin to keep his wits about him, to take the photo.

The next morning, Thursday, I awoke at 3:00am and was out the door at 3:30am. Low tide was at 5:47am and I wanted to arrive in Ogunquit by 4:15am and search the wet sand, as the tide receded. Once on the pre dawn beach, I up immediately started a north and south grid search. At the end of each grid search, I would dig a hole, in the sand, marking the end of the grid line. I was using a lifeguard stand, to the north and a an area 1/2 way between a ramp and a building, to the south, as my boundary markers. The photo and pinned location Kevin sent, showed the ring would be within these boundary markers.
After searching for an hour and a half, I still hadn’t found the ring and the sun was now up. Kevin arrived just before 6:00am and he thought the ring was out further, from where I was searching. I was in the correct area, just not out far enough. The photo was slightly blown up so figuring out the “depth” of how far out on the beach was difficult. Not only that, in my mind were at the morning low tide and the previous evening’s low tide, would have been closer to the shore. So, I went out further on the beach, in line with a large orange buoy and started searching again. I soon arrived to where I had started the search, earlier in the morning. After almost 4 1/2 hours of searching, still no wedding ring. I had searched from the large orange buoy, to almost the shore. Kevin and I made plans to return, the next morning at an even lower tide and continue searching. I would now start searching at the orange buoy and follow the tide out. Kevin would also go to the beach for tonight’s low tide and take some photos of the buoy, to see just how far out past the buoy, the tide actually was.
So this morning, Friday, I again arose at 3:00am. I arrived in Ogunquit at just after 4:00am. The beach was pitch black again. I resumed the search as best I could, in the darkness. Once it started getting light out, I could see my grid marks, much better and the search picked up steam. Both yesterday and this morning, very, very few non ferrous items were being found. After an hour of searching, still no wedding ring but I then received a nice loud low tone, on my Minelab Manticore. It definitely caught my attention and as I ran the coil back over it, I could see the VDI Screen showing a non ferrous, fairly low conductive number of 38. Definitely in the gold range and I was praying this was the ring. I took two big scoops of sand, throwing the first scoop, just to my right and the second scoop, just to the left of the first scoop. I ran my coil over both scoops and the nice loud signal was in the first scoop of sand. I pushed the first pile of sand, with my foot and broke it apart. Some of the sand went flying and just a couple feet away, I saw a metallic object, in the sand. I was nervous because it was round but from where I stood, it kind of looked like a round flip top, from an old beer can. As I leaned over to look at it, I broke out into a big smile and pumped my fist. It wasn’t a flip top, it was a ring. I looked at the inside, of the ring and saw 14K. I had found Kevin’s wedding ring. I then looked at the shoreline and I had found the ring, within the area we thought it would be in and very, very close to the pinned location.
I then took a few photos and sent two of the photos to Kevin, via a text message. Along with the photos I just simply stated “Congratulations”. Kevin’s response, “What?!?!, Im sorry I’m not there- will drive over now!” Kevin arrived just a few minutes later and was amazed he had his wedding ring back on his finger. Kevin told me that he and extended family members, including his parents, sister, cousins and all of their children p, were in Ogunquit for the week. Kevin felt he had put a “damper” on everyone’s vacation, because of his lost ring.
Kevin explained that he was in the shin high water, on Wednesday night, with his 2 year old son. They were just playing around gently splashing water on each other. Then in a split second, Kevin saw his wedding ring go flying off his hand. He tried catching it but it disappeared into the surf and sand. He immediately was on his hands and knees searching for the ring but it had been swallowed up by the ocean. As he was searching, his mother found me online and called me, unbeknownst to Kevin.
So alls well that end well and Kevin texted me later in the day, saying the following
“Headed back to the beach with the family- leaving my ring at home! “
Lesson learned I replied. Cindy, Kevin’s mother also messaged me the following
“Dennis, I can’t thank you enough for helping Kevin to find his ring!!! We are sitting down at the beach looking at the ocean and cannot believe you were able to find the ring! Whenever we think of Vacation 2025 we will remember your kindness!”
I feel so blessed to be able to help people like Kevin. There is no better feeling than to see all the smiles, when we return these very sentimental items. I love making smiles. Every ring has a story and know Kevin’s ring has a new chapter.❤️🙏

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Sentimental Gold And Diamond Ring Lost In Cornish, Maine, Found During A Visual Search

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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July 4th weekend was an extremely busy one , for The Ring Finders of Maine. Not only did Gary Hill and I recover and return 3 wedding and engagement rings, on July 5th, we also received multiple calls, that would require us to go search the next morning, on Sunday July 6th. There was a lost ring, in Portland, Maine and another in Cornish, Maine. I would search for ring in Portland, Maine, and Gary would search for the ring in Cornish Maine. This recovery and return is from the Cornish, Maine search and Gary Hill.

I received a call from Mary, on Saturday, July 5th. Mary was camping up in Cornish, at the Saco River Hideaway Camp. Her good friend, Tina lost an extremely sentimental ring, the night before, while enjoying the July 4th fireworks, at the campground. Mary told me that Tina, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, was just absolutely devastated. Tina has difficulty getting around so she and her husband, Buddy, uses a golf cart, to get around the campground. After watching the fireworks, Tina and Buddy visited other campers, at their camp sites, enjoying the festive atmosphere with her many friends. Tina would not leave the golf cart and her husband would get her a drink and bring it to Tina, while still sitting, in the cart. At the end of the evening and back inside her camper, Tina realized she wasn’t wearing her ring. She and Buddy backtracked to all the camp sites and pavilion they had been at. Everyone they had visited helped, in the search for the ring, but it was dark and the gravel campground roads were a great place to hide a ring, not to mention the grassy areas. The ring was not found and Tina was absolutely devastated. I told Mary I was going to see if Gary was available, as I was heading to Portland in the morning. Gary was available and agreed to drive up to Cornish and hopefully find Tina’s ring. Below is Gary’s activities the next morning.

I arrived at Saco River Hideaway Campground, in Cornish, at 8:00 am and met with the campsite owner, who took me to Tina and Buddy’s campsite. Buddy explained to me they had taken the golf cart up to th Pavilion to see the fireworks. They then went visiting other campsites to celebrate the 4th eventually ending back home. After hearing Buddy’s story and being shown the areas they had traveled and visited,bI did a search of the driveway and around their fire pit. We then drove to the Pavillion and searched where they had parked the golf cart. Tina never left the golf cart and the ring had been on her left hand. Tina has Parkinson’s Disease had hadn’t moved around much. While searching this area a neighbor stopped and said Tina had the ring on her finger, when they visited another campsite just up the road. Ah a good clue. We walked from the Pavillion to the campsite checking both the road and grassy area. Nothing. We continued walking the road around the campsites checking each one. We continued searching until we arrived back to the Pavillion. From there we checked the road to the river. Still no ring. We went back to Buddy and Tina’s campsite and did another search. Nothing. After discussing all the events I had a strong feeling it was in the camper. Buddy asked if I would do a visual and maybe use pinpointer around the trash. I don’t usually go into residents home but this ring meant so much to Tina. After several minutes, in the camper, we ended up in the bathroom. In the corner was a spiral toilet paper holder. I glanced down the inside and beside a spare roll of toilet paper was the ring. The tears started flowing from Tina’s eyes. Truly a precious moment. Because of her difficulties of getting around, she couldn’t see the ring, in that area, of the bathroom.

I also received the following messages , from Mary, after Gary found the ring.

“We are beyond thankful and blessed for your help. I will be writing a review on your facebook page. Tina was so emotional when it was found. U and your colleagues are the best. Thank you again. Mary”

Another message from Mary

“Dennis. Her ring is so special because they have added to the ring over several years of marriage. Tina has Parkinson’s Disease and she does not get around very well. She was so devastated when she realized her ring cluster was gone. She was so emotional when it was found. The entire campground was out looking before I placed a call to you. I have read all your stories and they are so special. While the rings were very expensive, money could not replace the memories of how she received all three from her very dedicated husband. They are a wonderful couple and neighbors of mine at the campground. I plan to write a review attached to what you post. You and Gary are exceptional special guys and I thank you both from the bottom of my heart. So thankful for both of you”

“A sincere thank you does not even sum up the joy you brought to Tina and Buddy and to all the campers who so diligently search Saco River Hideaway Campground Dennis was so happy to take my call and arranged for Gary to meet with us bright and early on July 6th. You offer such a special service for those who have lost a treasured piece of Jewelry. Tina’s tears of joy flowed easily when her rings were found and her smile was so beautiful. Dennis and Gary are both one in a million caring guys.
I know you made our July 6th such a phenomenal day. Thank you, thank you, thank you💕”

Gary summed it up well,
“Well it just doesn’t get better than helping someone who truly needs our help. A beautiful and extremely special moment and I couldn’t have been happier for Tina. Happy Tears and smiles, it doesn’t get any better than that.”😀❤️🙏

 

 

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Engagement And Wedding Rings Lost In The Old Orchard Beach, Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Saturday July 5th, Cheryl and I were driving to Ogunquit Maine. As we were driving around 4:30pm my phone rang. I answered and Jared identified himself and told me that his sister had lost her Engagement and Wedding Rings, on the beach, near Union Ave, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Jared wanted to know if I was available, to help him. I told him that I personally wasn’t available but that I could get someone to help him. I told him I would call someone and I would have them call his sister. I immediately called Gary Hill and gave Gary the information and Jared sister’s phone number. Gary told me he would call her, asap.

Gary met up with April, at Union Ave and She showed Gary where she thought the rings were. She explained to Gary that she, family and friends had gone to the beach. When they arrived, April took her rings off and applied lotion, on herself. She had placed the rings on her lap, while applying the lotion. April had then forgotten about the rings and gotten up. It wasn’t until later that she realized what had happened, but it was too late. The rings were already buried in the sand.
Gary said he started a grid search and went 25 feet, across the sand. As Gary turned and started back and started back, towards where he started, he immediately received a very nice target, reading an 07, on his Minelab Manticore’s VDI screen. This is a definite gold range target. Gary put his pinpointer in the sand and found his target. Gary then used his hand held sand scoop and out popped the first ring. Gary then rechecked the immediate area and received another target. Another scoop of sand and another ring popped out. WOW!!! Not even 5 minutes and Gary had gotten both rings. Incredible performance by Gary. A lot of people had gathered by then and photos were being taken. Several of the pictures were taken by a stranger who then forwarded them to Gary.
Gary said that April had become very emotional after getting her rings back. April thought they were gone forever and when she saw Gary pull them out of the sand, happy tears flowed. Gary was also very excited and happy for April. There is no better feeling than finding and returning a sentimental item, or two, that the owner thought they would never see again. April then texted me with the following, not knowing Gary had already messaged me

“He found them 🥹🥲 Thank you SO, SO MUCH!!! 🙏🏽”

The Ring Finders of Maine are proud of the service we provide. If I can’t personally get there to search for you, I will get Gary there. We want you to get your lost item back as much as you do. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a clients smile or tears of joy. It just a great, great feeling. If you don’t believe me, ask Gary❤️🙏

To honor the clients wish, of not showing her face, on social media, I have placed a “Smiley” face, over her face. She said she is still smiling and her “new” face is very appropriate.

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