#how to find a gold ring in the leaves Tag | The Ring Finders

Veteran Loses Sterling Silver Cross In The Old Orchard Beach Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Brennan posted the following on the “Old Orchard Beach Lost and Found” Facebook Page , on August 18th

“I believe i lost a necklace at the beach yesterday, it was a cross necklace if anyone finds it it would be greatly appreciated.”
Once this was posted, Brennan received a comment, on his post,

“Call The Ringfinders of The Ring Finders of Maine!!! Amazing man!!!”

Brennan heeded the posters advice and called me. Brennan told me that the Sterling Silver Necklace and Cross, containing the Lord’s Prayer , was a gift from his fiancé. She gave him this necklace just before his first overseas deployment, while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps . Brennan told me this necklace had been with him all over thee world and couldn’t believe he comes home to Maine and loses it in Old Orchard Beach. Brennan then told me that they had entered the beach, at the Waves Oceanfront Resort and had taken an immediate right, next to the benches and walked down to the next bench. I told Brennan that I would mark up an aerial view of the area and see if we could pinpoint the exact area, to search. I can’t tell you how many times I have searched an area, by verbal description only and end up in the wrong location. It is imperative that I get the best possible directions, to search. Once I sent the photo to Brennan and asked if I had the correct location, he replied

I believe it would be the next set of benches farther down towards the bottom of that picture, it was one lone bench.
The necklace was sterling silver with the lords prayer engraved on it. I believe it’s this one right here
Where I circled in yellow. Yes sir I believe that’s exactly the spot 😂 Thank you so much, you are extremely appreciated! ”

Perfect, Brennan had circled the exact location., just as I had resent the photo, marking the exact spot as Brennan had.and I told Brennan I would get there as soon as I could, once my appointment with the pellet stove technician was completed, at 4:00pm. It was now 2:21pm and Cheryl could see me getting itchy, to get down there. Cheryl said to me “just go find” it and I’ll wait for the pellet stove guy. That was all I needed to hear and I was out the door.

I called Brennan on the way to Old Orchard Beach, Maine and told him I would send photos of the area, once I arrived and if he could verify I was in the correct spot. Absolutely was his reply. Once I arrived, the parking situation was not being kind to me. I ended up parking approximately a quarter mile away, closer to Ocean Park, Maine and walk up to the beach, near the Waves Resort. I then made my way to the bench and as I was walking on the beach, I noticed the beach cleaning machine HAD NOT been through the area. That was a big positive, I then took some photos and sent them to Brennan, asking if this was in fact the bench and area, he had been in. His reply

“I believe that’s the correct one. It should be less than a few feet from the bench on its right side. It fell off, right side facing the bench.”

I then walked over to the bench and and searched in front of the bench, as I was getting to the right side, where the necklace had possibly fallen, into the sand. I found nothing in the front of the bench. I then swung my coil on the right side of the bench and received a very loud high tone and my VDI Screen was showing 91. A very high conductive metal, just like silver. I removed my coil from the area, of the target and when I looked down, I could barely see part of a chain or necklace. Not much was showing but I could see it. I picked up the necklace and a Sterling Silver Cross, with The Lords Prayer emerged from the sand. WOW!!!! I was now holding Brennan’s Necklace and Cross. I took some photos and sent them to Brennan

“I think I can see it. Congratulations. I could actually still see part of the chain. I will contact you when I get home. 🙏🙏🙏”

Brennan replied
“You are a lifesaver. Thank you so much sir. 🙏❤️💪😎”

Once home I told Brennan that I would send his necklace and cross, via the USPS Certified Mail and he shod receive it in a few days. I then asked him if he would’t mind having a photo taken, with the necklace, once he received it and forward it to me, so I could use it in my story. Brennan happily agreed a last night Brennan did in fact send me the photo. Felt so great to help Brennan and I thanked him, for his service, to our country. No better feeling than to help people and when the person is a veteran who has been put in harms way, serving our country, it’s even better. A very special gift, from a fiancé is now back around the neck of Brennan. A gift that helped protect him, around the world, while serving his country. I was just so proud to have helped him get this back. I have the best job, in the world.
Brennan, Thank you for your service, to our country. Semper Fi 🇺🇸❤️🙏

Sentimental Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Grass, In Buxton, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”

We’ve all heard this saying about what a bride should wear, in her wedding day. The following, is from Readers Digest

People believed the items would bring good and happy marriages. According to Reader’s Digest, the rhyme came about in the Victorian era from Lancashire, a county in England. Most of the ingredients in the rhyme are meant to ward off the evil eye, which, according to Reader’s Digest, was “a curse passed through a malicious glare that could make a bride infertile.”
So, on Saturday August 16th Emma and Timothy, were married, at Arabella Estate, in Buxton, Maine. It was an absolutely beautiful day, at a beautiful wedding venue. For her “something old”, Emma decided to have her late grandfather’s wedding ring, tied to her bouquet. A very loving and touching tribute to her grandfather. After the wedding ceremony was over, the bride and groom had photographs taken, of their special day. There were areas, around the estate that the bride, groom, wedding party and family, had pictures taken at. Towards the end of the photo session, Emma noticed her grandfather’s wedding ring was no longer tied to the bouquet. Emma was crushed and everyone started searching, for the missing ring. Some people were even on their hands and knees, looking for the ring. The ring was never found.
Later that evening, I received a call from the groom, explaining to me, what had happened. I explained that I was in Boston and was booked, in Auburn, Maine, Sunday morning. Emma and Timothy couldn’t make it on Sunday, so we agreed to meet first thing Monday morning. Timothy later texted me and told me that, “my wife is absolutely distraught and just you agreeing to come out has taken a huge weight off her shoulders. We will be there with you as long as you need to assist in any way and answer any questions.”
I arrived at Arabella Estates and admired the entire venue, as I was waiting for Emma and Timothy. After arriving, along with Emma’s mother, I was shown the most likely areas that the ring would be in. Timothy and Emma had narrowed the areas down, by going through the photos, taking by the wedding photographer. A very smart move and it definitely helps, in pinpointing a location. I had brought an extra Metal Detector to use and Timothy enthusiastically agreed to search also. After a quick tutorial, Timothy told me that he would like me to search the area, they really thought the ring would be in. This was because of my experience and Timothy would search the second most likely area. If I was unable to locate the ring, in my area, I could always search the area that Timothy was searching. I fired up my Minelab Manticore, as Timothy, Emma and her mother, went around to the other side of the venue, to search. I decided I would start at the stairs and grid search, across the lawn, to the edge of the woods and plants. I hadn’t gone more than five steps, when my phone rang. The call was about another lost ring. Once the call ended, I started searching again and another five steps later, my metal detector went off, loud and clear. A nice low tone and registering a 38 on my VDI screen. My depth gauge was showing the target was zero to two inches, below the ground. I then looked down, into the grass and I couldn’t see the target. I then removed my pinpointer and ran it through the grass, until I located the target. I then moved a few blades of grass and I saw a Gold Ring. Unbelievable!!! No more than 10 steps, into the search and Emma’s “something old” has been found. I walked over to the other side of the venue and told Timothy, Emma and her mother that they could stop searching because I had found the wedding ring. I then saw the smiles break out, along with a huge sigh of relief, from everyone. Once at the area the ring was in, I asked if any of them could see the ring. They couldn’t see the ring and I then pointed it out, camouflage perfectly, in the grass. They all remarked how the area had been visually searched and some people were searching on their hands and knees. After all these years of metal detecting it still amazes me that rings just disappear and blend into the grass.
So now Emma’s “something old” is back with her mother, who had let Emma borrow the wedding ring, for her nuptials. Emma is no longer distraught and a burden has been lifted, from her shoulders. As Emma and Timothy start their new life together, they will look back at this and laugh. Emma now has a story to add, to not only her wedding ring, but her grandfather’s also. It certainly was a special moment when I could just see and sense the mood change, in Emma. Another smile for the “Book of Smiles” and I absolutely love being able to do this, for others.
Congratulations Emma & Timothy and wishing you nothing but love and happiness in your life together ❤️🙏

 

Sterling Silver Wedding Ring Lost In The Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Late Wednesday Evening, on August 6th, I received the following message, from Marjorie

“Hi. Just this evening , Wednesday I lost a Silver Ring/ Wedding Band – a simple band (sz 7). Long story short: around 7:30-8pm, my kids found it in the crab bucket (they were putting the crabs back in the ocean), then my daughter wore it, but went into the edge of the water where it slipped off her finger. They were in front of the lifeguard station between Casco Ave. & Tioga Ave, here in Ocean Park, Maine (we’re staying at ** ******* Ave). We just looked around and couldn’t find it and the tide is coming up. Do you think you could help me find my supposed to be interim replacement wedding band? Thanks for any help! My phone # is 802-***-****. I will try looking for it after sunrise. Thanks.”

It was now approximately 9:45pm and I immediately messaged Marjorie back, with the following two messages

“Hi Marjorie, So sorry to hear this. I would need to look at the tide charts, to see when the best time to search is.
In the interim, is this the area you think the ring is in?” I then sent a photo

“Hi Marjorie, Gary Hill and I will arrive at 5:00am. The tide will be lower than it was tonight and should give us a few hours to search, for your Silver Wedding Ring. With two of us, we can cover more ground.”
Marjorie did confirm the area and we would meet her at 5:00am
When Gary and I arrived, Marjorie was already there, with her son Dawson. The sun hadn’t risen yet but the sky was beautiful. Marjorie explained what had happened and where she thinks the ring was lost. The tide still out quite a bit so Gary and I decided to grid search, from out on the wet sand, up towards the shore, until we reached the hide tide mark. Facing the shore, Gary would search to the left of the lifeguard stand and I would search the right side. I figured the entire area could be searched in approximately an hour, with both of us there. We weren’t finding much, other than the usual beach trash. At one point I had a dime and I had Dawson come over to see what a dime would sound like, in the headphones. It definitely put a smile on his face, as he nodded his head. Gary and I had now reached the slope, heading up to the high tide mark and dry sand. I asked Marjorie if we didn’t find it here, where else would the Sterling Silver Wedding Ring be. Since she didn’t actually see the ring get lost, from her daughter’s finger, Marjorie thought that we should pick up the search, just south of the lifeguard stand. We would start the search, at the southern end of Gary’s grid line and hope for the best. As I reached the high tide mark and dry sand, I started across the area, as Gary was almost up to the high tide mark. I was cutting through Gary’s area when right at the high tide mark, I received a very loud high tone, reading 91 on my Minelab Manticore. As soon as I heard the tone and saw the 91, on the VDI screen, I knew immediately it had to be the Solver Wedding Ring. Without digging, I told Gary that I had found thr ring. I also called Marjorie and Dawson over, telling them I was certain this was the Silver Wedding Ring. I asked Dawson if he would do the honors of running the coil, over the sand, where the target was, just to make sure it was there, so Gary could pinpoint it. Once Dawson located the target, Gary used his pinpointer and took a scoop of sand, with his hand and pulled a ring out. Smiles broke out on both Marjorie’s and Dawson’s face. As a beautiful sunrise was unfolding, so weren’t the smiles. We just love being able to help others out, in their time of need. Marjorie sent me a message the next day, thanking us again
“Thanks so much again! I initially lost it when the kids caught crabs by the channel in Ocean Park and I got brave enough to grab the crabs in/ out of the bucket(s) that we took back to the house at ******* Ave. That was before dinner at about 5:30-6pm. We made the kids put the crabs back into the ocean before sunset around 7:30-8. Dawson, my 8 yo, said he saw a ring in one of the buckets and gave it to his sister Gabriella as they played soccer with the volleyball. 🏐 The ring slipped off as she went in and out of the surf. Thank goodness for that lifeguard stand to help us remember the location of where she might have lost the ring 💍! Like I said,I initially lost my original wedding band back home in ********, Vermont and I’m having replacement ones made. I bought this “interim” wedding band just to show I’m married!
Again thank you so much!
Marge”

Gold Masonic Ring Lost Doing Yard Work, In Scarborough Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

I received the following message, from Sam, on Monday night.

“Hey there, my grandfather lost his Masonic Ring that was bought for him by my grandmother. He is extremely stubborn and insists if he can’t find it he’s going to buy a new one.. He lost it in his backyard somewhere, I haven’t had the chance to look yet, but I hear you guys are the best! Let me know if this is something you could help with!”

It’s always nice when someone tells you that they hear “you guys are the best!” It will also be my first search, for a Masonic Ring. I then replied

“Hi Sam, I am so sorry to hear this. We can certainly find rings, in backyards. So a few questions first, if you don’t mind. 1) How long ago did he lose it? 2) What makes him think it was lost in the backyard? Did he see or feel it come off? 3) What city or town would the search take place? Thank you, Dennis”

Sam replied

“He lost it while working in the yard, he thinks back, but could be the front. It was lost about a week ago. He says he didn’t feel it come off. He’s in Scarborough, Maine.”

I replied

“OK, So fairly recently then. I would recommend that the lawns SHOULD NOT BE MOWED, until the area is searched. We have found damaged and thrown rings, that a lawnmower has hit.
So I do not charge for my Emergency Metal Detecting Services or my time. I do however, require a Transportation Fee, to cover my Gas, Tolls, Wear and Tear etc.. The transportation fee to Scarborough is $25.00 and that’s it.”

Sam agreed to go ahead and search for his Grandfather’s Masonic Ring. I told him I would be at his grandparents home at 8:00am the next morning. Sam told me his grandparents were good, for that time and his grandfather would show me the exact areas, he had been working.
I arrived at 8:00am, as promised and Sam’s grandfather came right out to meet me. He introduced himself, as Lee. Lee then explains that approximately 10 days earlier, he had been doing some yard work. He had planted two new flowers, by digging the holes and bringing the dug up soil, out back and dumped in a pile. He then put new potting soil in the holes and planted the flowers. He had walked back and forth across the front lawn a few times, between the flag pole and the house. That was the extent of his movement that day, up until he realized he no longer had his Masonic Ring on. Lee told me he was extremely sure I wouldn’t find the ring, under the new flowers. He had already removed the flowers and the new potting soil, down to the hard pan dirt. Lee then visually and physically searched the two holes and the potting soil. No ring was found. If the ring was on the property, it would be on the grassy lawn. I asked Lee if the lawn had been mowed, since losing his ring. He confirmed it had been mowed and I just kind of lost a little bounce, out of my step, so to speak. Once a ring has a lawnmower go over it, all bets are off. The lawnmower could have hit the ring, sending it flying in all kind of different areas. The lawnmower can also damage rings, beyond repair. I then confirmed with Lee that the ring is a Gold Ring. I took out a sample gold ring, which happens to be my actual 1974 Thornton Academy High School Class Ring, which most resembled the Masonic Ring, according to Lee. Ithrew it up into the air a few times and each time the ring was still visible, to our eyes, on the well manicured lawn. I then set the detector up, to the best settings, to find the Masonic Ring. I then ran the coil over my class ring and it went off nice and loud, so Lee could see how the detector works. Now to get to work.

I told Lee that I would grid search, from where we stood, in the driveway, to the plants on the other side of the lawn. I would search just inside the flagpole, back ann forth, up to the house. The lawn to be grid searched wasn’t a large area at all and I figured I could cover the entire front lawn in 25-30 minutes. I searched the newly planted flowers at the end of the first line. Nothing under the plants, other than a small nail. I then turned around and took a 1/2 step over and continued the search, now heading back towards the driveway. I repeated this 3 more times and other than coins, buried in the soil, absolutely nothing was found. I started talking to Lee again, about that day. He was certain the ring should have been in the area but it could also be in the discarded soil. So we went out back and I searched the soil there. Nothing again. I then told Lee that the ring may have come off while he was taking the wheel barrel out back, to dump the soil. I explained that I would start grid searching, that area. Wasn’t a large area at all and wouldn’t take long. While standing there I reached down and gave Lee the nail, I had found under one of the plants. He told me that wasn’t one of the plants he had been working on. He then told me it was the two flower plants. One that we were next to and the other plant was two plants over, going towards the street. I had totally misunderstood which plants had been worked on. I told Lee I would check the other flower plant, right now. We both walked over and my first swing, under the flowers, produced a nice low tone. I swung a few more times and saw my VDI Screen was reading between three numbers,, 27, 28, 29. Those are definitely numbers I am interested in, while searching for gold rings. I took my pinpointer and stuck it into the fresh potting soil. Nothing found. I tried again and again. On the third attempt, I located the target and removed some potting soil. Didn’t see or feel anything. I then removed another handful of the soil and I caught a glimpse of something gold. I reached into the hole, grabbed it, stood up and flashed the Masonic Ring to Lee, “I found your ring”. Lee was absolutely stunned. He said “I was absolutely sure you wouldn’t find it under the plants. I had taken them out and searched the soil myself”. Lee kept saying how he just couldn’t believe I had found his ring and he was absolutely certain, I wouldn’t find it. Thankfully for Lee I let my Metal Detector do my looking. I know my eyesight isn’t isn’t what it once was. I also know Lee is one happy man, to have his ring back on his finger, where it belongs. I love helping others out, when they need my Emergency Metal Detecting Services. It’s truly a great feeling to return such a sentimental item back to the owner. Congratulations Lee❤️🙏

Limited Edition Watch Lost In The Wells Beach, Maine Sand,Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

I received the following message, from Mike at 11:00pm, last night. I didn’t see the message, until this morning, when I promptly replied, at 5:43am.

“I recently lost a watch on Wells Beach is this something you guys might be able to find?

Somewhere in the red circle the blue is the beach entrance.”

Mike also sent me  a photo, of the area, he thinks he lost the watch in.

My reply to Mike.

“Good Morning Mike, I am so sorry to hear this. I can certainly attempt to find the watch and have found watches, in the past. A few questions first, if you wouldn’t mind.            

1)   How long ago was the watch lost?

2)  This area that the watch was lost in, did you see or feel the watch come off in this area? Just trying to figure out why you think this is the area, the watch was lost in.                                                       

3)   Does the watch have a metal band or other material? What king of watch, Apple, etc.?                                                                                                                                                     

       “Thank you, Dennis”

Mike immediately replied along with a photo of the watch!

“Hey! Thanks for responding Sunday afternoon i lost it, and no I didn’t feel it come off I was with my 2 kids messing around in the sand wrestling around and we took a photo after we started walking off the beach and it wasn’t in the photo. I have a wrist band on the same wrist and had a long sleeve on so must not have felt it. And yes it’s all metal heavy watch Oceaneva is the brand it’s all black. I’ve searched everywhere but the beach dude, to me not living near by there”

My reply to Mike

“Ok, A few concerns. 1) My 25 years experience is that unlike a ring, watches do not immediately disappear under the sand. They usually fall on top of the sand and are visible, until someone steps on it, the wind blows sand over the top, etc.. 2) I am not familiar with the cleaning schedule, of the beach, in Wells. I have been told that Wells Beach has a dedicated beach cleaning machine. Not positive but  it’s likely that tractor-towed sand cleaning machines or smaller, self-propelled machines are used, along with manual cleanups by volunteers. With Memorial Day weekend this weekend, I would assume the beaches are being cleaned, before the rain starts tomorrow. Do you know if the beach cleaning machines have been out yet?

If you are interested, I can certainly search for it this afternoon or very early in the morning, around 7:00am. I am already booked this morning and not sure how long it will take me.. I may even be able to get another detectorist to go with me, to cover a larger area, quicker. I do not charge for my time or service but do require a $25.00 Transportation Fee to Wells Beach and that includes my buddy, at no extra charge, as he will ride with me. The Transportation Fee is to cover my Gas, Tolls, Wear and Tear, etc.. Let me know if this is acceptable and I will get on it today or tomorrow morning.”

As I started to think of the situation, I just knew I had to get to Wells Beach, right now, this morning. So I contacted my client, in Cape Elizabeth and explained the Emergency situation, concerning a missing watch, in a public place, where a beach cleaning machine, could sweep it up and be gone forever. My client was in complete agreement and we rescheduled the search for her property marker, until tomorrow morning, early, before 2-3 days of rain arrive.

I then contacted Gary Hill, to see if he was available to help me search, the fairly large area. Gary was available and on board with helping me. My estimate was a 3-4 hour search, by myself and Gary would help me cut that time in half, by helping me.

So Gary and I set out to Weels Beach, to search for the watch, which had been lost, three days earlier. Once we arrived, the parking situation was very dire. Atlantic Ave is a “No Parking, Either Side of the Street” area. Understandable as the area is extremely busy in the summer and the Avenue is not very wide. The beach entrance, we needed to use, to access the beach, is almost directly across from Seaside Cottages, a summertime favorite of vacationers, visiting the area. I went to the office and met Pauls, the owner and explained the situation and Paula recognized me and enthusiastically, without hesitation, agreed to  let me park, on her property. A BIG SHOUTOUT TO PAULA. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Gary and I then got our gear and headed the the beach. We decided to grid search the area, horizontally to the water. Gary would start up near the beach entrance and I would start down at the high tide mark, in the wet sand. We also decided to expand the search, to the north and the south, by approximately 25-30 feet, just in case the watch was lost, outside of where Mike thought it would be. Back and forth we went, finishing a grid line and then taking a 1/2 step over, turning around and heading back to the area, we had started. The 1/2 step over would also let us overlap our swings, making sure we don’t miss any areas. Neither one of use were finding much of anything at all, a penny, a few pull tabs and some small pieces of foil. After 40 minutes,  I sent a message to Mike , telling him we weren’t having any luck, locating the keys The beach seemed to be too clean and I started to worry the beach cleaning machine may have already gone through. Truthfully, I am not even sure Wells Beach has a beach cleaning machine but assumed so, because other major beaches, in the area, do have them. As time passed Gary and I were getting closer and closer to echoer and the real estate between us was shrinking. Time was running out when I finally heard a strong signal, to my right. I swung my coil back to the area, looked down and could see something black, partially covered in sand. The Watch? Keys? As I took a couple steps over and looked down, I could tell it was a Black Watch. I had found Mike’s watch. I took a few photos of the watch, as I found it and the picked the watch up and yelled over to Gary, “ARE YOU READY TO GO HOME”.? Gary smiled and laughed and came right over.

As we are standing there, I get a message from Mike,

“Ok, maybe someone picked it up already.”

Mike’s message was perfect timing and I replied to Mike

“NOPE! I just found it”

Mike replied

“Nooooo Wayyy. Oh my God. You guys are the best. That’s so crazy

I’ll leave work right now and meet you guys somewhere.

I honestly can’t thank you guys enough.”

We then made plans to stay put and Mike would meet us at the location, we had found the watch. Because he works at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, in Kittery, he told us he would be there at 12:25pm, approximately 30 minutes later. Gary and I then went and thanked Paula again, for letting us park, on her property, while we searched. Paula was also amazed we ad found the watch and extremely happy, for Mike.

Mike arrived as planned and was extremely happy and in disbelief, the watch had been found. Mike explains to Gary and I the significance of the watch. The watch was a numbered watch. Only 1,000 were made and he had #58/1000. The watch is also a diving watch, filled with helium and able to withstand the pressure, up  to 9,900 feet down, not that he would.The watch was also presented to him, by a family friend, a former Navy Seal. WOW!!! This watch has so much sentimental value to Mike. So much, that he immediately left work, to come and get the wash, right then and there.

It looks like the pin, holding the watchband together, had broken and that is probably why it fell off. This most likely happened as he and his two boys, as they were wrestling and running around the beach. Mike said he has spare parts, for the watch at home and would try to fix it himself, after a thorough cleaning.

It was a pleasure and honor to find and return Mike’s very precious and sentimental watch. To see his beaming smile, when he received the watch back, is so rewarding for Gary and I. Now, Mike can sleep easier tonight, knowing his watch is home, where it belongs.

 

Tungsten Wedding Ring, Lost In A Durham, Maine Yard, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

I received the following text, from Kelly, on Easter night.

“Hello, Can you help find a ring in my yard in Durham? I believe it is Tungsten”.

“I replied, “Hi Kelly, So sorry to hear this. I have found dozens of Tungsten Rings, over the years. When was the ring lost”?

Kelly replied, “Yesterday. I had it on my hand while I was weeding, it fell off, I found it and put it in my pocket. Did a couple of other things in the yard came inside and went to get the ring out of my pocket and it wasnt there.

I am guessing I put my phone in that same pocket and when I checked my phone at some point the ring came out”.

I then agreed to help Kelly and would meet her, at her home. I told Kelly it would be late morning, as Gary Hill and I had a previous commitment.

I was extremely confident the ring would be found, knowing Kelly knew exactly where she was, when the ring went missing. I just didn’t know how long it would take, because I didn’t know how big of an area, needed to be searched, on her property.

Monday morning, Gary and I finished up our commitment,  I phoned Kelly and told her we would be at her place, shortly. Kelly said she was home and would be waiting for us. Once Gary and I arrived, Kelly was already outside, talking to her neighbor. After brief introductions, I asked Kelly to go over the details of 2 days prior, when the ring went missing and if it was her ring. Kelly told us the ring was actually her husband’s, who had recently passed away, approximately 4 weeks ago. She had been wearing the ring, since his passing and the ring was big on her finger. WOW, Gary and I just glanced at each other and we knew we couldn’t leave until we found this very sentimental and emotional ring.

Kelly then told us the rest of the story.  Kelly was performing some weeding, around the property and after losing the ring once and finding it, she put the ring, in her pocket, for safe keeping. She continued weeding and working around the property. When she finished and went inside, the ring was missing, from her pocket. She said she also had her phone, in her pocket and had removed the phone a few different times, while working outside.

Kelly then showed us the areas, she had worked in and we could see the clumps of weeds, still on the ground.  Kelly also had gone into the tool shed, towards the backyard and she also had gone into the backyard. So it was a fairly good size area that Gary and I would have to search. We wanted to find this ring fast and get it back to Kelly. I would start grid searching the front of the house and Gary would start outback, near the tool shed.

As we searched, Kelly continued to visually search and answered all the questions that Gary and I were asking her. We were finding lots of targets but they were all in the ground, not above the ground, where the ring would be. I finished the front of the yard and now would be grid searching between the house and the raised flower bed and tree. Gary had finished the area near the tool shed and was now searching the lawn, on the side of the house. After 30 minutes of searching, still no ring. It’s amazing how rings just blend in the grass. After approximately 5 minutes of searching between the flower bed and house, I received an extremely loud signal. I looked down, towards the coil and didn’t see anything, for a few seconds and then, BANG, the ring came into focus. It was slightly pressed, into the ground and I suspect that the ring had been stepped on, by Kelly, the previous day. No one had walked in that area, while we were there.

Kelly was standing a few feet, to my right and I took my phone out, set the camera, to the video and then looked at Kelly

I said, “What if I told you I found it”? Kelly replied, “I would be ecstatic”. I then proceeded to tell her that the ring was right in front of her and yes, she was ecstatic, as she saw the ring, in the grass. I could sense the emotion overcoming her and I was so happy for her, to be getting her late husband’s ring back. Gary and I then gave her a hug and her tears of joy and all the other emotions of the last month, just overwhelmed her. Kelly was overcome with emotion and just went inside to deal with everything that had just happened.

Gary and I were also touched by all her emotions and we are so grateful that we are able to help others, like Kelly, in their time of need. There is no better feeling than seeing the happiness and joy we bring to others.

White Gold Wedding Ring, Lost In Springvale, Maine, Found While Searching With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

I was contacted by Christina about her wedding ring. She had lost it on Friday, April 4th, while helping her husband, move a refrigerator, into their home, in Springvale, Maine. Christina told me that she had taken her Engagement Ring and her Wedding Ring off, and put them in her pants pocket. She was nervous about damaging them, while moving the refrigerator. When they finished moving the refrigerator, Christina reached into her pocket to retrieve her rings but only the Engagement Ring was there. The Wedding Ring was missing. Christina asked me how much my service was and I told her that I did not charge for my Emergency Metal Detecting Service or for my time. I just required a Transportation Fee, to cover my gas, tolls, wear and tear etc.

When I arrived at her home Christina met me promptly. After a few pleasantries, I got down to business, by asking her many questions, about the day the ring went missing. I asked about where she was when the rings were put into her pocket and where was she when she reached in to take them out. I asked her the path they took, with the refrigerator. Have they done a visual search of all the areas that she had been in.
Christina told me she couldn’t remember if she was in the bed of the truck or in the house, when she took her rings off, but she and her husband had visually searched the truck and inside there home. They had removed the refrigerator from the truck and brought it into the home, through the front gate and down the walkway. They had also searched all of these areas. Once they were done with the refrigerator, they went for a walk, heading down the middle of the street and while walking, Christina reached into her pocket, to retrieve the rings. It was at this point, she realized her wedding ring was no longer in her pocket. She and her husband retraced their steps, in and along the street, but the ring was not found.
I told Christina I would search the entire lawn, on both sides of the walkway and on the outside of their fence, along the street. The area wasn’t very large and the search went quickly. I then asked Christina how far they had walked, down the street. I would search the grass, along the street and hopefully find it in the grass or gravel and Christina was walking down the middle of the street, as she had done, 5 days earlier. As I finished up in front of her house, I was halfway done searching in front of her neighbors house. I stopped and asked Christina where she was exactly, when she took the rings out of her pocket. She said “Actually, right in this area” and made a motion with her hand, outlining the area, in the street. As she was saying that, she said, Oh My God, there it is”. Christina was pointing into the street and THERE WAS HER WEDDING RING. She couldn’t believe it and mentioned that they had searched the street a few different times. She then texted her husband and he came out to see where it was found. I took some photos and we were all extremely happy that the ring was found. I really couldn’t believe the ring was in the street for 5 full days. Just crazy!

I try to ask my clients all kind of questions, concerning the circumstances of the ring going missing. It just might trigger something that helps in locating the ring. I would like to think that me asking her where she was, when she pulled the rings out made her stop and look at the area. Either way, when I am searching, many of my clients like to visually search, along side of me. As far as I’m concerned, it takes a team to be successful and today the Teamwork worked out just fine. Christina was extremely happy to have her wedding ring back and we both had big smiles.

White Gold Wedding Ring, Lost In Springvale, Maine, Found Visually, While Searching With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

I was contacted by Christina about her wedding ring. She had lost it on Friday, April 4th, while helping her husband, move a refrigerator, into their home, in Springvale, Maine. Christina told me that she had taken her Engagement Ring and her Wedding Ring off, and put them in her pants pocket. She was nervous about damaging them, while moving the refrigerator. When they finished moving the refrigerator, Christina reached into her pocket to retrieve her rings but only the Engagement Ring was there. The Wedding Ring was missing. Christina asked me how much my service was and I told her that I did not charge for my Emergency Metal Detecting Service or for my time. I just required a Transportation Fee, to cover my gas, tolls, wear and tear etc.

When I arrived at her home Christina met me promptly. After a few pleasantries, I got down to business, by asking her many questions, about the day the ring went missing. I asked about where she was when the rings were put into her pocket and where was she when she reached in to take them out. I asked her the path they took, with the refrigerator. Have they done a visual search of all the areas that she had been in.
Christina told me she couldn’t remember if she was in the bed of the truck or in the house, when she took her rings off, but she and her husband had visually searched the truck and inside there home. They had removed the refrigerator from the truck and brought it into the home, through the front gate and down the walkway. They had also searched all of these areas. Once they were done with the refrigerator, they went for a walk, heading down the middle of the street and while walking, Christina reached into her pocket, to retrieve the rings. It was at this point, she realized her wedding ring was no longer in her pocket. She and her husband retraced their steps, in and along the street, but the ring was not found.
I told Christina I would search the entire lawn, on both sides of the walkway and on the outside of their fence, along the street. The area wasn’t very large and the search went quickly. I then asked Christina how far they had walked, down the street. I would search the grass, along the street and hopefully find it in the grass or gravel and Christina was walking down the middle of the street, as she had done, 5 days earlier. As I finished up in front of her house, I was halfway done searching in front of her neighbors house. I stopped and asked Christina where she was exactly, when she took the rings out of her pocket. She said “Actually, right in this area” and made a motion with her hand, outlining the area, in the street. As she was saying that, she said, Oh My God, there it is”. Christina was pointing into the street and THERE WAS HER WEDDING RING. She couldn’t believe it and mentioned that they had searched the street a few different times. She then texted her husband and he came out to see where it was found. I took some photos and we were all extremely happy that the ring was found. I really couldn’t believe the ring was in the street for 5 full days. Just crazy!

I try to ask my clients all kind of questions, concerning the circumstances of the ring going missing. It just might trigger something that helps in locating the ring. I would like to think that me asking her where she was, when she pulled the rings out made her stop and look at the area. Either way, when I am searching, many of my clients like to visually search, along side of me. As far as I’m concerned, it takes a team to be successful and today the Teamwork worked out just fine. Christina was extremely happy to have her wedding ring back and we both had big smiles.

Tungsten Wedding Ring, Lost In Leaves and Grass Clippings, In Biddeford, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Friday October 4th, 2024! Cheryl and I were on our way, to Franconia Notch State Park, in the White Mountains, of New Hampshire. We intended to hike the Artists Bluff Trail Loop, on Bald Mountain . On our way we stopped to see the Parsonsfield – Porter Covered Bridge, in Parsonsfield, Maine. While visiting the bridge, my phone rang at 8:28am. The caller identified himself as Tim and Tim had lost his Wedding Ring, 3 days earlier, on the job, in Biddeford, Maine.

Now, Tim is the owner operator of a local Landscaping business, T.A.P. Lawn & Landscape, out of Saco, Maine. On Tuesday, as he was dumping mowed grass and raked up leaves, just inside a wooded area, Tim saw his ring slip off his finger and into the pile of leaves and grass clippings. Tim told me that in the last 3 days he and his wife were really anxious, to get his ring back. Tim had spent 1 1/2 hours, on his hands and knees, going through the pile, with absolutely no luck. Tim also rented a metal detector and even though he had one target, he still couldn’t find the object, in all the leaves and grass clippings. Tim then knew he needed help and a friend of his recommended me.
I then told Tim that I should be home, in Saco, at approximately 5:00pm and I could search , at that time. Tim said that would work because he had clients to tend to and he could meet me there, after 5:00pm. I told Tim, I would call him , when I arrived home and we could meet up then. Since the ring was lost on private property, there was no concern that someone would find the ring.
Tim and I ended up meeting, at 5:30pm, at his client’s property and we immediately walked to the pile of leaves and grass clippings. The pile wasn’t very large and my first thought, to myself was that this lost ring, should be found and fairly quickly. Tim pointed out the location, on the pile, that he had seen his wedding ring fall into. You could actually see where he had been searching, in the pile.
I walked back to my vehicle and grabbed my Minelab Manticore, with the 15 inch coil. I also grabbed my Garrett Handheld Pinpointer, which I just knew would be invaluable, in this search. As always, I asked Tim what the metal content of his wedding ring is. He answered that the ring was a Tungsten Carbide ring. I then took a Tungsten Carbide ring out of my bag of test rings and threw it on the ground. I then proceeded to run the coil of my metal detector, over the Tungsten Ring, so Tim could see and hear the Tungsten Ring being detected. My clients seem to like knowing what the sound/tone, of their ring, will sound like. Once I finished showing Tim, how the detector works, I immediately started searching the pile of leaves and grass clippings. Within a minute or so, I received a signal and it was an extremely low conductor, of a target. An extremely low tone and the reading, on my VDI screen, was a 07/08. Being such a low conductor, I didn’t think this would be a tungsten ring. Once I located the target, in the leaves, with my pinpointer, I ended up pulling a used packet of ketchup, out of the pile. I immediately started searching again, It took another minute or so, before I received another non ferrous target. This time the target was nice and loud and was reading on the VDI screen was 55. I told Tim that this very could be his Tungsten Wedding Ring. I located the target, once again with my pinpointer and slowly removed a few leaves from atop the target. Still couldn’t see the target. Removed some more leaves and still couldn’t see the target. Pinpointer still locked in on it and I didn’t want to move the target, further down, into the pile and that is why, I was being so careful, removing the leaves. A third time, removing some leaves, proved to be the winner. I could see just a small area of the ring and Tim could see it also. He was just overjoyed and couldn’t wait to get the ring back, on his finger, where it belongs. Tim texted his wife, told her the good news and she was also overjoyed, with Tim relaying her thank you , to me. Tim said he was going to sleep well tonight and that he also learned a lesson and will no longer wear his wedding ring, while performing his landscaping services m to his clients.
Another smile, or three and I just love being able to help people like Tim, in their time of need.