#how to find a gold ring in the sand 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 🇺🇸❤️🙏

Gold Religious Pendant Lost In The Saco Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Friday July 25th, as I was driving home, from Ogunquit Beach, I received a call from Eliza. Eliza told me that she is a lifeguard, at Bayview Beach, in Saco, Maine. Another lifeguard had recommended me to her. The other lifeguard had seen me make a recovery a few weeks earlier, just up the beach, at Kinney Shores, Maine. Eliza told me that on the previous day, as her shift ended, at 5:00pm, she noticed that she was missing her Gold Religious Pendant. The necklace was still around her neck but had become unclasped. She had it on, when starting her shift, at 9:00am but now it was nowhere to be found. Eliza told me that it had been very hot day and she had gone down to the water to cool off, while swimming. She had done this multiple times, throughout the day and just didn’t know when the pendant, fell off the necklace. It could be in the ocean, around the lifeguard stand or in the sand, along the route she used, to walk to the water, for her swim multiple swims. I told Eliza that I would be right there, as fast as I could but was about 45 minutes away. Eliza said no rush, she would be there all day.

Once I arrived at Bayview Beach, I went to the lifeguard stand and immediately saw Eliza, up on the stand, with her lifeguard partner. Eliza came down and showed me the areas she had walked, the previous day and the entire area, around the lifeguard stand are the areas she was hoping the pendant, would be in. If the pendant were in the water, I would need to return because the tide was currently high and I wouldn’t be able to search until the tide was receding. I told Eliza that I would grid search, down to the water, turn around, back to the lifeguard stand, back to the water, until I was outside the areas she had been. If I was not able to locate the pendant at that point, I would search around the lifeguard stand itself. If I still hadn’t recovered it, I would come back tonight and search the wet sand, as the tide was going out.
As I performed the east/west grid search, I was finding the usual beach trash, pull tabs, bottle caps, and foil. No coins, jewelry or pendant. I stood at the base of the lifeguard stand talking to Eliza and her partner, telling them the pendant wasn’t on the route, to the beach. I would now search the areas under and around the lifeguard stand itself I stepped back and starting on the left side of the stand, as you faced it, I took my first swing and received a nice loud low tone and showing up on my VDI screen as a 28. Definitely in the gold range by the tone and VDI reading. I removed my pinpointer from my pouch and ran it across the top of the soft sand. I located the target right off the bat and as I gently brushed the sand away, I caught a glimpse of the gold pendant. It was literally just to the left of the stand and next to the stairs. I picked the pendant up and looked at Eliza, saying “did you say a go,d pendant?” As soon as she saw her pendant a big smile broke out and she said “oh my god, that’s it. Thank you so much.” I then handed the pendant over to Eliza and she thanked me again. I told her that I was waiving the travel fee because I offer this service to First Responders, at no cost to them. All First Responders are so important to our communities. I just wouldn’t feel right charging a transportation fee to them, when they would help me whenever I would need them. Eliza thanked me again and I couldn’t be happier for her to get her very special Religious Pendant back. I love my job and putting smiles on peoples faces. 😀❤️🙏

Very Small Gold Earring Lost In Grass South Portland, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Friday, July 18th, Gary Hill and I were returning from Short Sands Beach York Maine, in York Beach, Maine. We had a successful recovery, after Gary had recovered a lost pendant. As we were approaching the Town of Wells, Maine, my phone rang. The caller identified herself as Sarah. Sarah told me that she was at Scratch Baking Co., in South Portland, Maine and she had just lost a very small gold earring. As she and her daughter, Eliza were eating lunch, outside on a bench, she had felt and seen the gold earring, become entangled in Eliza’s hair. As Sarah went to grab the earring, from Eliza’s hair, Eliza spun away and the earring fell into the grass and acorn shells. They had been searching for the earring, for a half hour and just couldn’t find it. She asked if I could help her. I told her Gary and I could be there in approximately 45 minutes, as we were still on Rt 1, in Wells, Maine. Sarah and Eliza would continue to search for the earring, as Gary and I made our way north, to South Portland Maine and Scratch Baking Co…

Once Gary and I arrived we saw Sarah and Eliza sitting on the beach, under the tree. They told us they still hadn’t found the earring. Gary had brought his 8” sniper coil, as this would work best for extremely small gold items. We decided that Gary would start grid searching, with the Minelab Manticore and 8” sniper coil. I would visually search and run my pinpointer through the grass, hoping to get lucky. After approximately 20-30 minutes, the earring still wasn’t found. Just amazing how these things disappear from sight. Gary and I decided to switch roles. I would grid search vertically, where Gary had searched horizontally, to the street. Gary would now visually search and man the pinpointer. After about 5 minutes, I received a repeatable target of 06 – 07, on the VDI screen and the sweet sounding low tone of gold. I still couldn’t see the target but could definitely hear the target. I reached down and moved the grass and still couldn’t see the target. I then moved a few pieces of broken acorn shells and staring back at me was an extremely small gold earring. I looked over at Sarah and Eliza and said “I found it”. Sarah jumped right up and came towards me, saying “Did you really? Thank you so much”. This earring would not have been found by just visually searching. How did the earring end up under the broken acorn shells? We may never know for sure but most likely the shells ended up on top of the earring during the initial search, by Sarah and Eliza. As they were walking, in the area and running their fingers through the grass, they may have inadvertently moved the shells, onto the earring. Either way, Sarah now had her gold earring back and was very happy with that. Sarah and Eliza are from Massachusetts and had been in the area, when they stopped at Scratch Baking, for lunch. The lunch turned out much longer than they had planned and they were very excited to be getting back on the road, to drive home. That is one reason, why there are so few photos. We didn’t want to hold them up any longer than necessary. Gary and I were also happy to be heading home as we had now been on the road, searching for lost items, for 6 1/2 hours. After two successful recoveries today , it was time to go home, get something to eat and reflect on our day. We absolutely love doing this for others and have the best job in the world.

Labradoite Pendant “Wedding Ring” Lost In The Sand At York Beach Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Thursday, July 18th, I received a call, from Nikki, around 2:00pm. Nikki told me that the previous evening, she and other vacationing family members, had walked from the place they were staying, in York Beach, Maine, down to Short Sands Beach. The group had walked the sidewalks, around the gazebo, in Ellis Park and eventually, down onto Short Sands Beach. They had entered the beach, near the gazebo and had walked , at an angle, down to the rocks, on the southern end of the beach. They then walked along the water and also, in the water, as the tide was going out, to the northern end of the beach. This would be approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile long. They were on the beach, between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, with low tide at 10:18pm. At some point on the way back, towards the southern end of the beach, Nikki noticed that her Labradoite Pendant was missing. Since they had been walking along the water, the group started searching the beach, but it was now dark and not easy to see. Nikki’s three year old daughter was also along, on the family walk and as children do, she was running and zigzagging, on the beach, with Nikki chasing her. There was no way to remember exactly where on the beach, Ellis Park and sidewalk, they had actually walked. The next morning, Nikki and other family members went and searched the sidewalks, park and beach, in the daylight. The Labradoite Pendant was not found. While on Short Sands Beach, Nikki saw two metal detectorists and asked them if they had found the pendant or if they could help her find it. They hadn’t found the pendant and they told her that she should contact, The Ring Finders of Maine for help. Nikki then called me a few hours later. A BIG shout to the two metal detectorists, for the referral. I greatly appreciate it.

I told Nikki that I would need to check the tide charts to see when the best time to search would be. Since she was walking along the water approximately an hour before, low tide, I wanted to search for 2 to 3 hours, prior to low tide, following the tide out, until low tide arrived. Once I confirmed the best time to search was the following morning, on Friday, I texted the information to Nikki and we agreed to meet at the Gazebo at 9:00am, with low tide at 11:31am and as a bonus m the tide would actually be lower that on Wednesday night. This would give us more exposed wet sand to search and I could search from 9:00am to 12:00pm. I told Nikki that because she didn’t know the exact path that was walked, and the area is so large, the chance of a recovery was extremely unlikely. Just too much area, to search, with not enough time, because the tide woGary Hillming in. I told Nikki that I would see if Gary Hill were available and if he was, the two of us would be able to cover twice the amount of ground. I called Gary and he absolutely wanted to help. There is no way possible to cover this much ground, by myself. Actually, there is no way possible for Gary and I to cover this much ground, but we will double the area, I would have been able to cover.
We met Nikki at the Gazebo, a few minutes early and she pointed out the area we should search. I looked out over the beach and thought to myself that a miracle would need to happen, in order to locate this pendant. We could certainly grid search the tide line, as it went out but even Nikki didn’t know where, on the beach, she had chased her young daughter, many times, on the walk. Our best strategy was to split the beach in half, with me searching the southern half and Gary searching the northern half. We found the center of the beach, marked it by digging a hole in the sand. Gary to the north, towards Fun O Rama, an arcade and I headed south. Neither one of us were finding much. Mostly can slaw ((Small pieces of aluminum), foil and pull tabs. I just kept thinking to myself that this was going to take a miracle. A half hour went by, then an hour and all we had to show for our efforts were a bunch of grid lines that we had made to show where we had been. But, we kept going. Another 2 hours to go, before the tide would be working against us. About 25 minutes later, my phone rang and I saw it was Gary calling. I answered and Gary said, “You can stop now. I FOUND IT, come on down”. I turned around and saw Gary waving at me, approximately 100 yards, to the north. I made a beeline towards Gary he held up the Labradoite Pendant and I just said “I can’t believe you found it, UNBELIEVABLE. GREAT JOB GARY”. Gary was just smiling ear to ear. I tried calling Nikki but it went to voicemail. I took a few photos and sent them to Nikki. A few minutes later Nikki called and was very excited, thanking us. She also sent a text after seeing the photo and said “That’s it!!!” She said she would be right down. A short time later, Nikki, her husband, Chadley, and their 3 year old daughter arrived. They were stunned that we found it and I don’t blame them. I was also stunned Gary had found it. After all I had to,d Nikki is was highly unlikely it would be found. I told them that I estimated a less than 10% chance of finding it but someone was looking down on us and them. I could see Nikki was a little emotional and Gary and I were told that she and Chadley considered the Labradoite pendant, as their wedding ring. Chadley had been in Costa Rica, prior to their marriage. He bought matching, or as close to matching Labradoite Pendants as he could. One for Nikki and one for him. When they married, they had “Wedding Rings” tattooed onto their fingers but always wear the Labradoite Pendants, as their real wedding rings. Very cool 😎. After a few more minutes of small talk and thank you’s Gary and I said congratulations one last time and as we were walking away, Gary stopped, looked back and saw Nikki and Chadley embraced for an extended hug. Nikki had tears coming down her face. WOW, such a gratifying moment to witness, for Gary. I hadn’t turned around but wished I had. We search for these sentimental items for moments like this. It’s just the best feeling in the world, knowing we were able to help someone find a very sentimental item. It’s the best job in the world. ❤️🙏

Sentimental Gold Wedding Ring Lost In A Portland, Maine Park. Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

I received a text, from ZAK that said

“Hey I lost a ring wondering if you could help”
I was still in Ogunquit, Maine, for my birthday dinner with Cheryl and it was 5:04pm. I immediately called Zak back and he explained to me that the previous night, Friday, July 4th, he and approximately 100 family members and friends had gathered at Friends of Payson Park, Portland ME, in Portland, Maine. They were there to celebrate the holiday and to celebrate Zac being in town to visit. He was leaving Sunday morning and had to be at the airport at 11:30am. Zak told me that he had lived in Portland, for many years and now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The large gathering was a great end to a great vacation, with family and friends.
While at the large gathering, Zak took his necklace off, from around his neck and put it in his front pocket. The necklace contained his wedding ring, that he wears around his neck, ever since his wife had passed away, a few years earlier. When Zac left the get together he arrived at his car and pulled the necklace out, to put back on. This is when he noticed that the necklace was unclasped and the extremely sentimental wedding ring was missing. Zak immediately went back to the gathering and informed everyone what had happened. Everyone immediately started searching for the ring but unfortunately, it was now dark and the grass was fairly tall. Not very good conditions, to visually search, for a lost ring.

The next morning, Zac went back to the site, in Payson Park and searched in daylight this time. Still, the ring was not found. As the day wore on, Zak was feeling very lost and down in the dumps, about his missing ring. He went to Cabela’s and was about to buy a metal detector, to go search, before his flight, the next day. Zac told me that he literally had a metal detector and was heading to the cashier, when a friend told him about The Ring Finders of Maine. So, while still at Cabela’s, Zac called me. He figured if I wasn’t able to help him he would buy the detector and try himself. This was when he called me. I told him that I could certainly help him and we made plans to meet up at 7:00am, the next morning, at Payson Park and search for the wedding ring. Zak thanked me for saving him the cost of a new metal detector that he didn’t know anything about. Zak also told me that the area where he had taken his necklace off in was not very large and he was certain the ring would be there, hidden in the tall grass. The area would on be an area of approximately 20’ X 30’ or so. That is not large at all and I could easily cover that area, in less than a half hour.

I met Zak right at 7:00am, on Sunday morning, July 6th and he took me to the area he thought his ring would be in. Unfortunately, everything looked differently, now that there was daylight and almost 2 days had passed. He walked the area a few times and was pretty sure an area he marked off, would be the correct area. I fired up my Minelab Manticore and then threw a gold test ring into the tall grass. I did this to show Zak, what sound the ring would make and what I would be looking for, on the vDI screen. Zak seemed confident, after seeing and hearing the test ring found, his ring would be found. I decided to start my grid search, in the area the necklace was taken off and go back and forth, working my way, towards the street. There is always the possibility that the ring could have been moved by someone accidentally kicking it or even one of the vehicles moving it, out of the area. It’s also very possible the ring was lost somewhere else in the park.
I searched for approximately 75’ to 100’ down the first grid line. There were lots of targets but they ended up being in the ground, when checked with my pinpointer. At the end of my first grid line, I took a 1/2 step to my left and headed back to the area, where I had started. Still nothing but trash and coins, in the ground. Zak was certain I would have found it in this area. He then said maybe I should go another 20’ to 25’ further down, from where I had started. So I went and searched 25’ up and back to where I had started. Still no ring had been found. I then told him that I would continue the grid search, as planned, add the extra 25’ to it and just keep going, working my way towards the street. I then started out again and just a few minutes later, I heard the best sounding tone of the search. It was loud and a very nice low tone. Zak and I looked into the tall grass but couldn’t see anything. I pushed the grass back and there it was, a GOLD RING. We had found Zack’s extremely sentimental wedding ring. I looked at Zac and he didn’t say a word. I saw his entire body, release all the tension and his eyes were watery. Zak was very emotional and wasn’t talking at all. Finally he said, “thank you so much. I can’t believe you found my ring, can I give you a hug?” Of course, I love hugs. We talked for another minute or so but Zac had to leave. He had a flight to catch, to Minneapolis. We said our goodbyes and as he walked away, I also walked towards my vehicle, with one big smile, on my face.
I then sent Zac a text, with a few questions

“Hi Zak, Did I spell your name right?
I just want to thank you for placing your trust in me, The Ring Finders of Maine. I was a pleasure helping you out, in your time of need. Just so happy you have your ring back.

Could you answer a few questions for my story.
1) Could you relate the story of how you got the ring and what made it so special to you.
2) What emotions went through you when you saw me find the ring?

I saw your whole body just release the tension and anxiety that you had. It was a beautiful moment to see.

Safe travels my friend ❤️🙏”

Zak’s reply

“Im not one that has an interest in jewlery and rings. For the wedding my wife picked this ring and i really liked it though. I rarely wore it. I got really attached to it and after she had passed I would wear it on the necklace. Unfortunately on saturday the habit backfired and taking the necklace off caused me to lose it.

I’m one to believe that what’s m3ant to be will be and losing it i resorted to accepting that i might never see it again. A friend recommended ring finders of maine and with my travels i didnt think someone would be able to come out in time and help find it. I had more reasons to give up and accept the loss but i had to try. As you were sweeping I had a rollercoaster of high hopes and low moments of despair. When you located it i let out a huge breath i felt i was holding in since the day before. There was wave of emotions that came over primarily relief and happiness i wanted to cry laugh all at once. And reliefed that i had not given up on the search. I kept saying its a material object and thats not where my sentimental value should lie but having it in hand you remember why it means so much to you. Her memory is alive within me and family but something tangible helps ground the memories and offers a sense of nostalgia that is hard to describe.

Once again thank you for your help and most importantly the reassurance that if it was lost in this area we will find it help to keep faith and not give up. Hope those who lose a valued item would know that there good people like yourself that selflessly help to return those item to their rightful ownerals.”

What a great story and I am so proud to have been able to help Zak, in his time of need. Thankful that I was able to find it, before his flight, so that he wouldn’t be thinking of his lost ring any longer. Every ring has a story and now Zac’s wedding ring has a new chapter ❤️🙏

Newlyweds Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The York Beach, Maine Surf, Found Underwater With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Friday July 4th,, just before 4:00pm,, I received the following Voicemail, from Colin

“Hi Dennis, My name is Colin and I got your name off of the Ring Finders of Maine website. Um, today, this afternoon, I lost my wedding ring at, ah, York Harbor Beach, Maine. That was about three hours ago and I’m asking for your services. Feel free to call me back as soon as you can at 508-***-**** and if I don’t answer, please text me, if you can. Um, any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Dennis”

I immediately called Colin back and Colin explained that between 12:00pm and 1:00pm he and his wife were in the ocean water tossing a football around and they were waist deep, in the water. Colin felt and saw his ring go flying off his finger, on one of the throws, to his wife. He and his wife immediately began to search the sandy ocean floor but it was too late. The wedding ring had already disappeared, under the surf and sand. I told Colin that since it was lost, at that time, it would have been lost at low tide and now, 3 or so hours later, there was no way I would be able to get out that far, to search for his ring, because of the incoming tide. My best chance would be to search the next low tide and get out in the water, at that time. I told Colin that I needed to research the tides for today and tomorrow and try to figure out where the tide was when they were in the water and what time tomorrow, would be best to search. I then highlighted a tide chart and texted it to Colin. I also sent Colin an overhead view of York Harbor Beach. I sectioned it in 8 sections and asked him which section he thinks he lost the ring in. He was sure it would be close to the border of sections 1 & 2. When Colin lost his wedding ring, low tide was at 1:03pm and was a 1.6 low tide. The next low tide was at 1:55am and was a 1.4 low tide. I told Colin that I would not search the 1:55am low tide because I do not perform water searches, at night, in the dark. It’s just to dangerous. If I were to be knocked over by a wave, which has happened to me, I could become entangled in all my gear and pulled under the water. It just isn’t worth the risk to search at night, by myself and no beach goers around, So, the daytime low tide on Saturn July 5th would be at 1:55pm and would be a 1.8, a slightly “higher” low tide than when Colin lost his ring. This means the water depth would be slightly deeper on this low tide and would be deeper that waist deep, that Colin had been in. I told Colin that I would arrive at York Harbor Beach at 11:30am and search, as the tide receded. I would search until 2:00pm, when the tide would not be going out any longer and would then be coming in, for the next high tide, later that evening. Now I wasn’t familiar with York Harbor Beach and I asked Colin about the parking situation. He told me he was staying at the York Harbor Inn, Maine and I should be able to park there, since he and his wife were guests. Perfect.

So today my wife Cheryl and I arrived at York Harbor Inn and I checked in with the front desk of the York Harbor Inn, to be sure I could park, on their property. They actually knew of me, The Ring Finders of Maine and were happy to let me park there, while searching for their guests wedding ring. As I was leaving the reception area, Colin and his wife arrived. They immediately took Cheryl and I down to the beach, where they were the previous day. As we walked to the beach Colin mentioned the wedding ring was just a little loose on his finger. I asked how long they had been married and they told me that today was their 1 week Anniversary, WAIT, WHAT? Newlyweds? That explains a lot. I have found many, many rings for people who have been married for less than a year. Their rings just aren’t quite sized properly. OK then, let’s get down to work. I really want to find this newlyweds wedding ring.

As I was getting my gear on I saw a fellow metal detectorist friend , I have know for years, approaching me. Ed, who runs a YouTube channel called Maine Beach Metal Detecting. I actually subscribed to his channel and love watching his video’s, good stuff. You should check his channel and subscribe also. Anyways, back to the story. Ed had seen a Facebook Post about the lost ring and contacted Colin. Colin told him that he already had me coming down, to search at low tide. Ed decided to come down and meet me to see if he could assist. I asked Ed if he wouldn’t mind searching the wet sand, performing a north and south grid search, following the tide out. I would go into the water and perform a north and south grid search, using landmarks, along the shore to keep me in a straight line. As I entered the water, I immediately felt the water’s freezing temperature. This was much colder that the water recovery I had performed, in Ocean Park Beach Maine, just two days earlier. To compound the matter, the sky was cloudy and I wasn’t getting any of the warmth, that the sun provided, just two days prior. As I was freezing to death, on this search, I was finding very, very few non ferrous targets. There was much more iron targets being detected but I just went over those. I was chest deep in the ocean and working my way further out. I figured I had been in the water, going back and forth for approximately 45 minutes to an hour and I also knew that the tide wouldn’t be going out much further. I was already up to my chest/arm pit area, deep in the water. I really couldn’t go out any further and feel safe about it. The waves were just rolling in and thankfully, weren’t breaking/crashing on me. I motioned to Cheryl to come to the waters edge. I wanted to know what time it was and try to figure out how much time I had left, before the tide started to come in. Cheryl said it was 12:30pm, leaving me with just under an hour and a half, before the tide, turned against me. Because of the waves, I knew I could probably do only one more grid line, to the north, before I had to stop the water search. As Cheryl headed back to the comforts of her chair, I took a half step to my right, into the slightly deeper and cold water. After approximately 5-7 minutes of the last grid line, to the north, I received a very loud low tone, on my Minelab Excalibur. This was absolutely the best sounding target of the day. Now the hard part. I needed to watch for the rolling waves, while feeling the undercurrent, rushing past my legs. I placed my right foot on the target to mark the location, I had to dig. I took my long handle sand scoop and plunged it into the sand. I brought up a scoop full of sand, shook the scoop, in the water, to remove the sand. Once the sand was gone, I looked into the scoop and absolutely nothing but some rocks and a sand dollar. I dumped those back into the ocean and ran my detector, back over the hole to relocate the target. I located the target and it was still in the dug hole. I took another scoop of sand, from the hole and shook the sand out. I looked into the scoop and there were more rocks and a big shiny GOLD RING, staring back at me. I was very excited to have found Colin’s ring and I immediately yelled to everyone that I had found the ring. I then lifted the ring up in the air in a celebratory manner, so everyone could see the wedding ring. I then saw Colin, his wife, Cheryl and Ed, making their way to the waters edge, as I made my way to shore. I could see the excitement and smiles on everyone’s faces as I exited the water. Colin and his wife were just so relieved and happy to have had the ring located and back on Colin’s finger, where it belongs. I was also smiling ear to ear. I can’t explain the joy I get of seeing the faces of my clients, when they get their item back.
I thanked Ed for helping me and we all headed back to our vehicles. As we were walking back to the vehicles, Colin’s wife mentioned that they will certainly have a story to tell everyone, when they get home. I’ve always said that every ring has a story and now the story has been added to, for Colin’s wedding ring. I also told Colin he should either get the ring resized, which can be very expensive or he could buy a silicone ring sizer, for less than $10.00 on Amazon or at Walmart. The silicone ring sizer id just clear silicone that you can wrap around a small section of the ring, so it fits you much better. I also told Colin that although the ring was in the area he thought it would be, I was out much further and deeper than I expected. I really was at the limit of going out any further and still be safe. If I hadn’t found his wedding ring today, I would be looking at the tide charts, for the next week, to see when the low tide would be further out. I would then come back and try again. Thankfully that didn’t happen and now all I wanted was to stop shivering and put the heat on in the vehicle. I needed to get warm.
So I would like to wish Colin and his wife a long and happy marriage. Congratulations to you both. I love my job of making smiles😀❤️🙏

 

Tungsten Wedding Ring Lost In The Sand At Scarborough Beach State Park, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Just before 2:30pm, I received a call from Greg, the Park Manager, at Scarborough Beach State Park, in The Town of Scarborough, Maine. Greg told me that a gentleman had lost his wedding ring, earlier in the day. The person who had lost the wedding ring would be calling me and giving me the location, he thinks the ring was lost in. Greg had an idea and told me that the ring was lost just before the high tide line. With it now being 2:30pm, and high tide around 5:00pm, there wasn’t much time to waste. I told Greg I would leave my house, in Saco, Maine right now and be there very shortly, depending on the traffic. If I arrived at 3:00pm, that would give me approximately 1 1/2 hours to search, without having to worry about the waves and incoming tide.

Once I loaded my equipment in my vehicle, The Ring Finders Mobile, I left for Scarborough Beach State Park . As I was driving in, my phone went off, notifying me that I had a voicemail. At the next red light, I read the voicemail and it was from Ryan and he is the person that had lost the wedding ring. Here is the transcript of the voicemail,

“Hi, My name is Ryan and I was at Scarborough Beach State Park and they had given me your information. I lost my Wedding Ring on the beach today and they tell me you have incredible luck finding rings, so I was hoping to touch base. If you have a second and I’d like to let you know it’s a Tungsten Ring. I think it was Lost around the high tide line maybe a little bit more toward the waterside between the two of the lifeguard stands, um around that area. I can give you more information, if you can call me back at 207- ***-****, Thank you very much. …”

I immediately called Ryan back and told him I was on my way and I was just coming up on Funtown Splashtown USA, on Rt 1, in Saco. My estimated time of arrival was about 20 minutes. Ryan told me he was on his way home but would turn around and meet me there. Ryan told me that he went to SBST, to go surfing, for the day and had taken his wedding ring off and placed it in the beach bag. He didn’t want to lose his ring, out in the ocean, as he surfed. Ryan told me he believes he lost his ring, when after finishing up surfing, for the day, he was walking on the wet sand, to leave the State Park. As he was walking, he stopped to get his sunglasses, out of the bag. As he pulled the towel out, to get the sunglasses, he believes his ring fell out of the bag. Unfortunately, Ryan didn’t realize he had lost his ring, until he got home. He immediately drove back to SBSP and notified the lifeguards and Greg. That is when Greg called me.
Once I arrived at SBSP, the Lifeguards called Greg. Greg had me walk down towards the further lifeguard stand and he would meet me, between the two stands. Once I met up with Greg, he told me the ring should be in the area from where we were, to just past the lifeguard stand. As we were talking, Ryan approached us and Ryan confirmed the location to search. The tide was coming in fast and the waves were rushing up over the search area. We didn’t have long to search and I was already thinking of returning, tonight, to search as the tide was receding, around 6:00pm. I told Ryan to walk out as far out towards the incoming water and walk to where he thinks he took the towel and sunglasses, out of the bag. I would follow his path and then turn around and head back in the other direction, if I didn’t find the ring.
As Ryan started walking, I was right behind him. The waves were rushing up over the detectors coil and I knew we didn’t have much time. About a minute into the search, I received a target. The target was showing up on my screen as a ferrous target, so I didn’t dig it. Most likely a piece of a lobster trap or a bottle cap. We started back up searching and 3-4 minutes later, I received another target. This time it was a non ferrous target but it didn’t seem right. My detectors screen was telling me it was 7-9 inches deep and for being long for just 2 or 3 hours, the ring should not be that deep. The 38 on my screen was definitely in the tungsten range, so I dug the target. I always dig non ferrous targets, because you just never know. After a scoop of sand didn’t contain the target,bI dug another scoop of sand and dumped it to the side. Still no target. A third scoop and the target was out of the hole. I ran my fingers through the pile of wet sand and felt a ring. As I was pulling it out, Ryan saw it and said, “That’s it. That’s the Ring. You’re a lifesaver, you are incredible. Thank you “ No problem, I love doing this.
Thankfully Ryan knew where he had pulled the contents, out of his beach bag and he was pretty spot on. This is why it’s important to meet the client, at the location, whenever possible. Trying to describe an area, over the phone makes it just a little more difficult because what the client described, may not be what I see. Another advantage is the time factor. As soon as Greg called, I left to go search. Being retired allows me to just get up and leave. This is a major reason why I didn’t become The Ring Finders of Maine while still working. I would not be able to just up and leave work, unless I was looking to be fired. As I always say Time Is Of The Essence and this search was no exception. The longer an item is missing, in a public location, the ocean, etc, the more difficult it will be to recover the ring. Thankfully Greg and Ryan contacted me extremely quickly and everything worked out.
I am so thankful and happy that Ryan has his Wedding Ring back on his finger. Seeing the smile on Ryan’s face is such a great feeling. I have the best job in the world ❤️🙏

White Gold Engagement Ring, Lost In The Sand At Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

On Thursday morning June 12th, I was searching, for a lost heirloom necklace, in Ocean Park, Maine. As I searched, my phone kept going off with both phone calls and text messages. Unfortunately, I couldn’t even see the screen of my phone, because the sun was so bright and I could not see anything but a blank screen, I decided I would get to a shady area and see what was going on, but not until I found this lost necklace. Once I found the necklace, approximately half hour later, I walked up to the gazebo area, of Ocean Park Beach, next to the library and across the street from the Ocean Park Soda Fountain. I was waiting for my wife, Cheryl, to return and pick me up. As I sat on the bench, I noticed two missed calls, voice mails, a text message and a Facebook Messenger notification. The following is from the dictation, from the voicemail

““Hi, my name is Lauren. We are on the beach and one of our friends lost her engagement ring. We just wanted to inquire more about your services. If you can give me a call back at 781-XXX-XXXX, that would be great thank you.…”

Lauren’s text message and Facebook Messenger were the same.

“Hi! My friend lost her engagement ring on Gooserocks Beach Kennebunkport. We were wondering if you may be able to help us?”

With three different forms of communication, I knew someone was frantic and in desperate need of my Emergency Metal Detecting Services.
I immediately called Lauren back and she told me that a group of friends had gone to the beach and after being there for just a short period of time, one of the women noticed she no longer had her engagement ring on. Lauren told me that some of the women went to the vehicle and searched the vehicle for the ring, while the remaining group of friends searched around the circle of chairs they had set up, on the beach. Neither search was successful so some of the group, went back to the house and searched for the ring there. Again, no ring was found. So they went back to the beach and that is when Lauren contacted me and left the messages. I told Lauren that I would be happy to help and I could be there in approximately 45 minutes or so. Lauren told me that the group of friends were on the beach, at the Proctor Avenue beach entrance. I told her that I knew exactly where that was and would be there shortly.

Once Cheryl and I arrived at Goose Rocks Beach, Maine, we entered the beach, at Proctor Ave and we were immediately waved to by a group of 8 women. One of the women walked towards us and introduced herself as Meaghan. Meaghan said it is her engagement ring that was lost but has no idea when or where it came off. She then went through the events of the morning and they were the same as what Lauren had conveyed, to me. Meaghan had her ring on at the house and then at the beach, it was gone. Meaghan thought the most likely scenario was that the ring was in or just outside of the circle of chairs, beach bags, etc., that she had carried down to and placed on the beach. If the ring was not in this area, it could be somewhere in the 75 feet or so of beach, from the access path, to where they had settled in for the day. It could also be out along the street, where they had parked and taken all the beach essentials, down onto the beach. There is a strip of sand along that area of street and I would need to search that also, if the ring wasn’t found, on the beach. It was then mentioned by someone in the group that Meaghan is getting married in September and this is her Bachelorette Get Away. Ok, Take a deep breath, no pressure to find this ring. I really wanted to find this ring quickly. I could see the extreme anxiety on Meaghan’s face and I want to turn that anxiety into a big smile.

I told the group that I would perform a grid search, just outside the chairs, where they all thought the ring most likely was and is the location where everything was placed, when they first arrived at the beach. I just needed to move the metal chairs back a little further, so they wouldn’t interfere with my metal detector and the women all moved their chairs back. I asked Meaghan what the metal is, that the engagement ring is made out of. Meaghan then told me it is White Gold band. I then took out a White Gold Engagement Ring and threw it into the sand. I do this for two reasons, 1) I will get my metal detector setup , to my liking, with the metal I am looking for. 2) It will show the client how the metal detector sounds, when the coil goes over the ring. I have found that my clients enjoy seeing this and after seeing me do this and in a way, comforts them. When I threw the ring, into the sand, I saw a few eyes get really big and a few gasps, from the group. They must have thought I was crazy. I then made a few adjustments to my detector and swung the coil over the sand. When the coil went over the setup gold ring, it went off nice and loud and I could hear the excitement, from the group. I now started my grid search and the area was not very large, taking just 5 minutes or so. I did not find the ring, nor anything else, for that matter. No trash or coins. When I didn’t find it, we talked about grid searching the 75 or so feet, up to the access path. Something told me to search deeper, in the circle of chairs first. This was so I would’t have to come back and search this area, if the ring wasn’t found, going up to the access path. I took a step deeper, into where the chairs were and started searching. As I was approaching the northern end of the area, the detector started sounding off. A nice loud low tone and a reading of 07-08 on the VDI screen. I could see the excitement and anticipation on the faces of the women in the group, when they heard the sound being emitted, by my detector. I told them I couldn’t guarantee this signal was the ring but that I really liked the sound of it. I then took my pinpointer out and located the target, in the sand.I reached into the sand and came up empty. I felt around and felt something solid, looked down and picked a ring up with a diamond on it. I had found Meaghan’s engagement ring and when I held the ring up, for all to see, all kinds of screaming, yelling and celebrating took place. Meaghan came over, got her ring and gave me a nice big hug. I could see her happy tears and others in the group were also misty eyed. Everyone was just so happy for her. What started out a a wonderful Bachelorette get away, turned into a nightmare and then back to a happy place, for the group of friends. Now with the mood much lighter, I could hear some comments being made, from the group. “Hey Meaghan, you going to tell your mother? “Meaghan, DON’T tell your fiancé!” All in good fun and the laughing continued, now that her engagement was back on her finger. Later in the evening, I received some more messages from Lauren, “thank you sooo much Dennis!!! “ Lauren also sent me some photos and a video, that the group had taken. Lauren even put the video out on TikTok and told me it already had 5,000 views. It is always a great feeling when the client reaches back out to me, later and still thanking me. It’s such a great feeling and blessing to be able to help people out, in their time of need.
Cheryl and I would like to wish Meaghan a wonderful wedding this September and a long prosperous life, with her husband to be.💍❤️🍾🥂

Passed Down Heirloom Gold Necklace with Lion Pendant, Lost In The Beach Sand of Ocean Park, Maine, Found With a Metal Detector.

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)

Thursday morning, Cheryl and I saw our 8 year old granddaughter off to her last day of 2nd grade. Once the commotion settled down, Cheryl and I decided to go on a bike ride, from Saco, Maine, through Old Orchard Beach, Maine and into the Town of Scarborough, Maine, via the Eastern Trail. This is just over 13 miles round trip and usually takes approximately a little over an hour to 1 1/2 hours, depending how long we stop at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, while we rehydrate. While at the Scarborough Marsh, I checked my phone and saw I had a voicemail, from someone, this is his message

“So I don’t know if this is Dennis or not but I lost my grandfather’s gold necklace at Ocean Park, Maine, on the beach yesterday, it was like 3 or 4 o’clock, so if you can get back to me and help me with that thank you, bye…”

I immediately called back and my call also went to Voicemail. I told him that I could absolutely help him out but I was in Scarborough, Maine and would be home in approximately 35 minutes and if he could call me then, I will go search, in Ocean Park Beach.
As I was exiting The Eastern Trail, just behind Thornton Academy, in Saco, my phone rang. I immediately stopped and answered. The person identified himself as Dakota. When I asked him to explain to me what had happened, he told me that he had taken his gold necklace off, while at the beach, in Ocean Park. He was going into the water and didn’t want to lose his Grandfather’s necklace, in the water, so he took it off and placed it on his sweatshirt, which was just laying on the sand, next to his beach chair. Once out of the water and back in his beach chair, Dakota forgot about the necklace, on his sweatshirt. As they were leaving for the day, Dakota picked up his chair and belongings, still not remembering the necklace. He and his friend, then left the beach.
The next morning, when he got up and was getting ready for his day, he noticed he wasn’t wearing the Gold Necklace that had been passed down to him, after his Grandfather passed away. Panic set in and Dakota rushed back to Ocean Park, from his home, in the City of Westbrook, Maine. Once in Ocean Park, Dakota visually searched but was unable to locate the necklace. He then drove to Conway, New Hampshire and retrieved his father’s metal detector, to search the area, once he returned to Ocean Park. Dakota told me that he knew nothing about his father’s metal detector and thats why he called me. I told Dakota that I could be in OP in approximately 35-40 minutes as I still had to ride the rest of the way home. WOW, an inherited necklace, passed down from his grandfather. I just had to find this.
Once home, I loaded my equipment into my vehicle and Cheryl and I headed to OP. Once we parked and were walking up Randall Ave, I saw someone with a metal detector walking up the beach access boardwalk and yelled out to him. Dakota held up and the three of us walked onto the beach, where Dakota had been yesterday. Dakota pointed out the area his chair and sweatshirt were and we came up with a plan, where I would grid search an area about 30’ X 75’. He was certain the necklace would be in this area. I asked Dakota if there were any pendants on the necklace. He told me there was a gold Lion Pendant, on the necklace.
I told Dakota that he was lucky that the beach cleaning machine hadn’t gone through the area this morning, otherwise, the necklace would almost certainly be gone forever. I also conveyed a concern I had about the necklace already being found, by a passerby or another detectorist. It is my experience, over the last 25 years that a necklace usually does not just disappear beneath the sand when dropped. There is just too much area mass. Last summer I three necklaces were recovered and THEY WERE ALL STILL PARTIALLY VISIBLE, THE NEXT DAY. The same with most bracelets and watches. They usually disappear, if they get stepped on but until then, anyone walking by could potentially see the necklace and just pick it up.
As I started my grid search, horizontally, to the beach, I was finding very much of anything. Maybe 8-10 pieces of foil, pull tabs and small pieces of other non ferrous metals. After finishing the area, Dakota thought the ring would be in, I asked him which beach access path he had exited the beach from. He told me the same path, we entered the beach from. I then told him I would grid search the area towards the Randall Ave access path. I went approximately 50’ and nothing. I turned around and headed back towards Dakota. At about 20’-25’ , I received my best tone of the search and a reading of 12-13, on my VDI screen. Definitely a non ferrous, low conductive metal and definitely in the gold range. I looked in the area of my coil but couldn’t see anything. I pulled out my pinpointer and found the target. I scooped a handful of sand away and still couldn’t see anything. I didn’t want to damage the necklace so I hadn’t brought my beach scoop. I then took another handful of sand and threw it to the side. That is when I saw a gold necklace. I looked over At Dakota and said “ I found your necklace”. For the first time since I had arrived, Dakota had a smile and came right over. I still couldn’t see the lion pendant but I wanted Dakota to see the necklace, the same way I saw it and didn’t want to disturb it. Dakota arrived, looking at the necklace and said “That’s it”. Dakota just looked so relieved and thanked me again for helping him out and finding his extremely sentimental necklace and pendant, that had belonged to his grandfather. It’s such a great feeling to be able to help people like Dakota. Thinking his grandfather’s necklace was gone forever and now almost 18 hours of being lost, he is walking off the beach with it, along with a smile on his face.

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.