how to find a lost ring in the ocean Tag | The Ring Finders

Platinum Wedding Band, Engagement Ring and Spacer Rings Lost in the Sand, 3 Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Oct 26th, 2025, and just after 1 pm, I received a text message saying, “Hi Jim! I think I may have lost a set of rings on Ocean Isle beach this weekend. Any chance you’re available to attempt to recover them?” I called the number attached to the text and spoke with Allison. I got a few more details, including the address where she was staying.  I told her I was on my way with my ETA. About halfway there, I received a text from her saying, “We found 1!!!” I replied saying, “OK, how many more?” She replied two! A diamond band and my engagement ring. But they would all be in the same area! I responded, “OK, I’m on my way. If you would be real careful looking for them, because you could move or bury them.” She agreed and they stopped looking.

When I arrived, I met Allison at the beach access, and she walked me down to the suspected area. I also met a number of ladies that were with Allison, I guess they were on a lady’s mini vacation. Allison showed me the small, maybe 10×5 foot area and also told me there were 4 rings. Here Platinum wedding band, Platinum engagement ring, and 2 spacer rings. As I turned on my machine, I looked at her and said, “What do you think, less than 5 minutes?” She looked at me thinking I was nuts and gave a little laugh. I took about 2 steps and hit a strong signal, dug a shallow scoop of sand, shook the sand out of the scoop and had her wedding band. She was behind me, as I took it out of the scoop and reached around to hand it to her. She was shocked. Another step and I hit 2 separate signals and scooped out one of the spacer rings and her engagement ring. She was thrilled. She said she didn’t care about the other spacer ring; it was inexpensive and had no sentimental value to it. I continued looking anyway, as I hate to leave a ring in the sand. After no luck, we called it a success and I left. I had intentions of going back after I came home and had some dinner. I went back and covered the entire area including the walk back and forth from the beach access to where they were set up and still couldn’t find it.

Allison, thank you for calling and trusting me to help find your lost treasures, it was a real joy meeting you. Take care.

Jim

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Man’s Tungsten Wedding Band Lost on the Beach – Found in the Wet Sand and Returned, Cherry Grove SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Monday, September 22nd and a little after noon, I received the following text, “Hey Jim Wren, My name is Michael, and I lost my wedding ring while at North Myrtle Beach this weekend. Based on photos, I know I lost it at some point yesterday before 1:30pm but I had it that morning around 9am in some family photos – we then went to church, back to the place we stayed and then out to the beach…Idk if it’s in the sand or the water but I hadn’t gone past that shore for a bucket of water or anything by the time the first photo shows it missing. This time I can’t remember taking it off my finger but the day before I did and put it in a bag pocket and I checked the few places I would’ve put it and can’t find it. It’s kinda broken so it may be separated or in one piece. It says “Rocio 3/19/22” on the inside.” Michael also sent a map showing where he stayed and where he suspected the loss happened. He also texted, “I had stayed here and went to this beach access straight up the road.” I called him and didn’t get a response but did get a text that he was in a business meeting. He called a little bit later and I got a few more details. I asked him if he had any pictures that might give me a better idea of where he lost it. Just prior to me leaving, Michael sent me a picture showing a perfect view of the area of loss from the ocean to the back of the resort.

I arrived to the beach about an hour before how tide, so I had the opportunity to search from mid-tide to the low tide line. I started a grid line search from the north side of the resort and worked perpendicular to the beach. I had my Equinox 800 and knew a Tungsten Ring would ring up in the 15-18 VDI (visual display indicator) range. I was probably on my 8th line when I got a strong 15 on the VDI. I dug a scoop of sand out and checked the hole. I had the target in the scoop, so I dumped the scoop on the beach and spread the sand out with my foot. I ran the coil over the sand and hit the target, looked down and saw his ring. I picked his ring up and gave it a good look to see if it was broken like he mentioned. The ring looked in one piece to me. I also ran the coil back over the hole and the spread-out sand to double check and make sure there was nothing else. I made a quick video showing Michael the area I searched and then raised his ring up in view of the camera saying, “I found it.” I also sent the picture showing his ring and letting him know the engraving matched. I called him and he asked about the ring being in 1 piece. I told him it was, but I really hadn’t understood what he was talking about. I looked at the picture he originally sent and finally saw the bottom piece of the ring that had been in the picture. I told him that I’d go back out the next day and search for the bottom piece. On the way home I got his ring in the mail and on its way. When I got back the next day, I did a complete grid search from the north end to the south end of the resort and from the mid tide line to the water and didn’t have any luck.

Michael – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. I wish all the best to you and your family.

Jim

   

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14K Yellow Gold Wedding Band Lost in Resort Parking Garage, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This search started on Sunday Sept. 14, 2025, just before 4 pm with a text from Cody saying, “Hi Jim, I found your number on a metal detecting page. We just stayed at Sands Resort this weekend and my wife put her ring in our backpack cooler for safe keeping. When we went to put our beach wagon back in the car, we dumped out the sand. The backpack cooler never left the wagon and her ring was gone. We can only imagine we dumped it out in the parking deck. I was wondering if this would be something you could help with. We are 4 hours away. I called the number attached to the text message and got a few more details from Cody. One of the things he told me was the ring was a yellow gold wedding band that was part of a set, but this was just the wedding band that was lost. He said they were parked on the 5th level and 2 parking spaces to the left, directly across from the elevator. He also mentioned that they had left to go back home about 8 am that day. I’m thinking that our tourist season is winding down and there should be fewer guests at the resort.  I also thought there was a pretty good chance of finding his wife, Desiree’s wedding band. I told him I’d go a little later and would let him know when I was on my way.

About 7:30 pm I sent him a text saying, “On my way.” Since this was going to be strictly a visual search, I grabbed a flashlight and a small fan rake. The rake was in case I had to reach under a car if that’s where the ring was. I got to the resort about 8 pm and needed a parking card to get into the parking lot. I had to go in and explain what was going on to the front desk clerk and she gave me a card to park. As I’m driving through the maze of the parking garage, I’m noticing the first 3 levels of parking were completely full. Not what I was hoping for. When I got to level 5, it was almost empty of cars. I parked 1 spot to the right of the elevator and walked over to the elevator to make sure I was on the 5th level. There was a car parked in the 3rd spot, left of the elevator, but they left after I started looking around with the flashlight. I checked the 1st and 2nd spot and saw nothing. So, as usual when I can’t find what I’m looking for in the area it’s supposed to be in, I expand my search out. I looked out to the 6th spot on the left with no luck, so I started back to the right. As I’m getting ready to move my car, I glanced over on the 2nd spot to the right of the elevator and noticed a small object. As I walked over to it, Bingo, there was her ring just lying on the ground. I took a picture of me holding her ring and one of just the ring and sent it to him. In the text I said, “Cody, you need to go buy you a lottery ticket, now.” He immediately responded, “Brother you are a gift!!!” I called him telling him where I found it. He was positive it should have been on the left of the elevator. So, we’re thinking it either got kicked, flung out of the cooler or possibly rolled over to where it was. How it got to where it was, we’ll never know, but I was glad it did. I asked him to send me his name and address so I could get it in the mail tomorrow, Monday. He and Desiree were very excited to be getting it back.

They got the ring back on Thursday and I got the picture of Desiree and her big smile on Saturday.

Cody – thank you for calling me to help find Desiree’s treasure.

Jim

 

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Silver Ring Lost in Bushes, Found and Returned Little River, SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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About 2-3 weeks ago the next-door neighbor Jim, knocked on the door. He said that Taylor, a friend of his daughter, had lost a special silver ring in the yard. I grabbed my Equinox 800 out of the garage and made my way next door. Taylor was out there, and I asked her what happened. She explained that as she was walking to her car, she was running into spiders hanging down out of the tree. As she was swinging at the spiders to get them out of the way, her ring flew off her finger. I turned on the detector and searched the front yard with no luck. Unfortunately, there was a bush that was maybe 5 feet tall and very thick right in the line of fire. I searched under, over and behind the bush the best that I could and still couldn’t find it.

Well, I got busy, and it slipped my mind until I was standing in my driveway, and it hit me. I grabbed my pin pointer and set the detecting distance to about 3 inches. I went over to the bush, sat on the ground and started reaching as far as I could under the bush. About a quarter of the way around the bush, I stuck the pin pointer under the bush and got a solid tone. Wasn’t sure what I hit but it was metal. I reached up under the bush, felt around and felt her ring. Just as I found it, the neighbor, Jim pulled into his driveway. He called Taylor and gave her the good news. She was excited and said she thought the ring was gone for good. I gave Jim the ring and am waiting for Taylor to pick it up and get a picture of her smile.

Jim

 

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Woman’s White Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Monday, September 1st, just before 5:30 pm, I received a text from Laura K. saying, “Can you help me? My wedding band is gone.  Somewhere near 14th street pier. I Scoured where I know it happened. It must have gotten pushed under the sand. Less than an hour after I knew it was gone, I checked on my hands and knees for 20 minutes.” I immediately replied saying, “Call me,” with my phone number. I didn’t hear anything back from her so I figured she found it. I woke up a little late this morning, but had a text from 5:57 am saying, “I missed this last night, sorry! When is good to call? Can you get out there today?? As I’m getting ready to respond, I get a phone text from Laura at 9:02 am saying, “good morning, Jim, this is Laura K. I didn’t want to call you too early, but I can use your help finding my ring asap if you’re available.” This time I had a number to call and called Laura. I told her that unfortunately I had a scheduled search at noon but would probably be available between 3-4 pm. After finishing up the first search, I called Laura, and we agreed to meet at 3:30 pm. Just after 2:30 pm, I got another text from Laura saying, “We will be back in the next 18 minutes. We will wait for you by the Holiday Pavilion Resort Tiki bar right on the boardwalk. I texted Laura back that I’d be there at 3 pm.

When I arrived, I called her to get an idea of where she was on the beach and made my way towards her. When we met, she led the way to where her and her family had been the day before. She pointed out a small area, maybe 10’X5’. I confirmed I was looking for a white gold ring, so I knew the vdi (visual display indicator) on my Equinox 800 would give me a number between 10-12. I started a north/south grid line and on my third line, I hit it!! I got a solid 10 and had no doubt. I took a scoop of sand, checked the hole and had her ring in my scoop. I gently shook the sand out and saw Laura’s ring in the bottom of the scoop. She was standing about 10 feet behind me and watching her kids. So, I held up the ring over my shoulder until she glanced at me and saw me holding her ring. I think it took her a split second to close the distance between us to take her ring. She was extremely excited and called to her husband that I had found it. They were a very excited and gracious couple that gave me a hug from Laura and a handshake from her husband, Chris to close the deal.

Laura – Thank you for calling me and allowing me to help you get your wedding band where it belongs. Wish you all the best.

Jim

 

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Engagement Ring Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Surfside SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This little adventure started on Sept. 1, 2025, just before 9 am, when I received a text message from Piper saying, “Good morning, my name is Piper K., and I lost my engagement ring yesterday at the beach on Surfside. We looked absolutely everywhere, and I think it’s gone for good. But I ended up finding out about ring finders, so I thought I’d give it a try. Is there any way you could help?” I called her and got a few more details like, time of loss, in the ocean or dry sand, if the ocean – how deep? She told me it was lost about noon and in the dry sand. She also mentioned that she had taken the ring off and put it on a towel. As they were leaving, the towel was picked up and shaken off. This is when she thinks the ring was lost. Thankfully she lost it before high tide, so we had a good shot at it around low tide. I asked her to send me the address, which she did. I checked the tide tables and text her that I’d be there about 7 pm. This would put us about 2 hours before low tide. She agreed so we had a plan.

I showed up at the address she provided and let her know I was there. Piper, her fiancé Jordan and her brother met me in the driveway, and we walked a short distance to the beach. Piper showed me the north boundary line, and I had Jordan mark off the south boundary line. I started a north/south grid and after about my 5th line – BOOM! I dug a scope of sand, dumped it out on the beach and spread it out with my foot. I saw her ring, picked it up and held it so Piper could see it. I love the expressions I see when they see their treasure after thinking it was lost forever.

Piper – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Have a safe trip home and I wish you and Jordan all the best in life.

Jim

 

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Citadel Ring Lost, Found in the Dry Sand and Returned Pawley’s Island SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Saturday, August 30th, I received a call from Tabathia saying her husband Matt had lost his Citadel Ring in the surf and asked if I could help find it. She explained that Matt was rinsing his hands off at the ocean’s edge when he noticed his ring was gone. She also mentioned that they got caught in a rainstorm and had to quickly pack up and run for the car. I agreed to help and took a look at the tide tables. Neither that evening nor the next morning was going to work. We agreed to meet at 6 pm on Sunday and I could work the outgoing tide. Tabathia sent me a text with the address and confirming some of the other details.

Sunday evening, I sent Tabathia a text telling her I was on my way. She responded they were also on their way and would give me an update. I was about 15 minutes out and got a text from Tabathia saying, “The parking lot is a mess and full. If you want to text when you are close, I can try to get up there to get you a space.” As I was driving down the street to get onto the beach parking, the cars were lined up bumper to bumper. As I got closer to the lot, I noticed a parking area that was chained off with a man across the street from it barbequing. I took a shot and rolled down my window and explained to him that I was going to look for a man’s Citadel ring on the beach and pointed to my sign on the side of the car. Without hesitation, he walked across the street and moved the chain so I could pull it the spot. He wished me luck and I made my way to the beach to meet Matt who was waiting for me. As Matt and I made our way to meet Tabathia and their 3 children, he showed me the area his ring should be in. I met Tabathia and went to work searching from the top of the slope out to about thigh deep. After doing the slope with no luck, the 3 of us came up with plan B of searching the top of the slope. Matt and Tabathia, both showed me the approximate area they had been set up the day before. I did about 5 lines and hit a monster of a signal, a couple of scoops of sand and I saw Matt’s gold Citadel ring in the sand. I picked it up, walked back to where they were sitting and held it up for them to see. Their expressions were priceless, which is why I love finding people’s lost treasures and getting it back where it belongs.

Tabathia and Matt – Thank you for calling me to help find Matt’s hard-earned ring.

Jim

 

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Silver Promise Ring Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 8/21/25 at 3:20 pm I received a text message from Nataly saying, “Hi! How much would you charge to find a ring? I’m at n Myrtle Beach.” I called Nataly at the number attached to the text and told her I do this on a reward/gratuity basis. I asked her the details of the loss, and she told me the ring had been put in a shirt pocket and then in a bag. At some point the shirt was taken out of the bag not knowing the ring was in the pocket. That’s when the ring fell into the soft sand and disappeared. At first, I thought she was in Myrtle Beach (because I didn’t see the small ‘n’) so I told her I could be there in 30-40 minutes. I asked her to send me the address and was out the door. When I got the text with the address, I called her to confirm it was in North Myrtle Beach, which she did. So, my drive time was down to 15 minutes.

When I arrived on the beach, I met Nataly (big sister to Rebekah) and Jondavid (gave the ring to Rebekah) under the umbrella, in the area where the ring was lost. I turned on my Equinox 800, took 2 steps and hit a solid 21 on the VDI (visual display indicator). Being a silver ring, I knew I had the ring. Took a couple of shallow scoops of sand, shook it out and saw the ring. I held the scoop up so Jondavid could reach in and grab the ring. Nataly told me that Rebekah was in the hotel pool, so I decided we walk up and surprise her. When we got to the pool, Nataly said to Rebekah, “Look at the ring I found.” Rebekah instantly knew her ring was found. Big smiles all around!

Nataly – Thank you for calling me and allowing me to help find Rebekah’s promise ring

Jim

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24K Yellow Gold Wedding Band and 24K Yellow Gold Anniversary Ring Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This adventure started on 8/18/25 at 11:31 am, and what an adventure it turned out to be. I received a text message from Heather saying, “Hi, looking for help. Lost my wedding ring and anniversary ring today.” I replied for her to call me and sent her my number. When she called, I asked her what time she lost it and where she was on the beach. She said she lost it about 45 minutes ago and she was sitting at the water’s edge. A quick check of the tide tables for North Myrtle Beach, and she lost it about an hour after low tide. I told her I was on my way, knowing that I missed my chance with the tide. I had little chance of finding her rings at that time, but it gave me a chance to see what I was up against. When I met Heather on the beach she showed me a picture of the rings. She stated the wedding band was yellow gold and about 3mm in width. The anniversary ring was thinner and had 5 diamonds on it, both rings were 24 Karat yellow gold. She pointed out where she had been sitting and mentioned she had moved a little south for a while and then back again. She also mentioned she had been knocked over by a wave. I tried doing an east west grid perpendicular to the surf but wasn’t making any progress. After maybe 45 minutes of getting pounded by the waves, getting my metal scoop slammed into my shin causing a cut, and getting knocked down twice. I decided now was not the right time! I told Heather I’d be back for the evening low tide which was just before 11 pm. On the way home I called my buddy Burwin to see if he was interested in a nighttime hunt. He jumped at the chance. Having someone to help on night hunts, helps with covering the area twice as quick. It’s also good to have someone watching your back, literally. Burwin and I hit the beach later that evening and the conditions were worse than earlier. We had no luck and called it a night after about 2 hours of searching. So, I already decided I’d be out the next morning an hour or so before low tide.

The next morning, I was getting ready to leave when I noticed I had a voice mail and text message from Katie H. Her text message read, “Hi Jim, My name is Katie H. and I’m a reporter with WBTW news 13. I just left you a voice mail trying to get in contact with you. We are hoping to do a story on you and your company and the recent ring you just found for a visiting couple in North Myrtle. I would love to shadow or follow you for a day and to interview you regarding your process and why you love to do what you do. If you’re able to speak today please text or call me back and even if that isn’t possible but you are available sometime this week, let me know that as well and we can set something up! Thank you! Kindest Regards, Katie H.” I called Katie back and she explained what she wanted to do. I told her, “it just so happens I’m on my way to a ring search and she was more than welcome to come along.” We agreed to meet at the location, and I was on my way. I got there before she did and started my east/west grid search. The sea and weather conditions were better, and I thought I’d have a much better chance of finding Heather’s 2 rings. When Katie showed up, I met her at the top of the slope, and she did my interview. When she finished, I told her how I do my searches and started an east/west grid from the high tide line to about knee to waist deep. On my second line and as Katie was recording, I hit a solid 14 on the VDI (visual display indicator). This is what I was looking for on a gold wedding band, but it’s also where pull tabs ring up as. I dug a scoop, shook the wet sand out of it and saw Heather’s gold wedding band. I pulled it out of the scoop and showed it to Katie. We walked up the beach so I could call Heather. When I called it went to voice mail, and I told Heather “I’ve got something for you.” Katie and I walked back down the beach to where I found the 1st ring, and in just a few more steps I hit Heather’s Anniversary ring. Katie and I walked back up the beach so I could call Heather again. This time Heather answered and said, “I’m right behind you.” I turned around and handed Heather her 2 rings and got the biggest bear hug. I told Heather who Katie was, and Heather agreed to being interviewed. This entire search, recovery and return couldn’t have gone any better. After Katie’s interview with Heather, I turned around to Katie and said something like, “This is why I do this.” Katie got the message! I’ll post the news story when I get it.

Katie – Thank you so much for the opportunity to show what it is I do and why.

Heather – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasures. It was great to get them back to you where they belong.

Jim

 

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Man’s White Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 8/17/25 at about 1:30 pm I got a text message from Faith saying, “Hi Jim! My cousin just lost his wedding band in the ocean. How does this process work?” I replied with, “Call me so I can get the details.”  Her response was, “OK thanks. I’ll have him reach out.” Then about 5:30 pm, I got a text from Michael saying, “Hello, hope all is well! A group of family members told me about your page, and they might have already messaged you about my wedding band. It was 1-1:30 pm on 8/16 (yesterday) when I lost my band in the edge of the water. I was at public beach access on 15th Ave S to the right of the storm/sewer pipe. I wasn’t past the storm/sewer pipe in the water and my wedding band came off my finger. I know it’s a long shot but if you ever find a ring that looks like this let me know. Thanks for the help! (He included a picture of his ring).” I immediately text him back saying, “You were right around high tide when you lost it yesterday. I could come out about 8 tonight to look for it. I’d like you to meet me to show me the right area. Call me and I sent my number.” When he called, I confirmed basically everything he told me, and we set it up to meet at 8 pm.  About 6:30 pm I got antsy and looked at the tide tables again. I figured the tide should be low enough that his ring should be out from under the water and in the wet sand. I text him and told him I’d be there at 7 and he responded he’d see me there.

When I got there, I met Mike and his mother-in-law, Terry, on the beach. Mike pointed out the area and Terry helped with a couple observations she had.  I started north of where Mike said he was. I do that so I’m not skipping around the beach from area to area. I started an east/west grid and worked across the beach. Finally, I got an iffy signal, nothing solid but a signal. I started taking scoops of sand out of the hole until I finally got a good steady signal. A couple of more scoops and I had the target out of the hole. When I dumped the sand out of the scoop and spread the sand out with my foot, I saw Michael’s ring sitting in the sand. I took the ring down and washed the sand off in the surf and made my way to where Michael and Terry were standing. I held the ring up and smiled. Michael was so relieved and happy.

Michael – Thanks for giving me the chance to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

 

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