how to find a lost ring in the ocean Tag | Page 2 of 8 | The Ring Finders

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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Man’s Platinum Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned Holden Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 7/26/25 right at 6:30 pm, I received a text from Rachel saying, “Hi, My husband lost his ring in the ocean at about 4:15 pm on Holden Beach, Low tide. Do you think you can help or is it pointless to try? What do you think?” We went back and forth with questions and answers, like how deep, how did it come off, what kind and metal is the ring, and if they would be there the next day at low tide. Unfortunately, Rachel and Henry, her husband was leaving the next day at noon and low tide wasn’t until 4:05 pm. I also learned that Henry was at least waist deep when he lost it. Neither one of the situations were good. I had to rely on Google earth maps to try and pinpoint the location, and I don’t like going in the ocean without someone keeping an eye on me. I also ask Henry and Rachel to see if their landlord would allow me to park at the rental.

Meanwhile, I called my good friend Burwin, who has helped me more times than I can count. In fact he’s taken many of the calls I couldn’t because of vacation, busy with another call, or I just wasn’t available, and he has always come through. This time was no different. When I called him, about the only questions he had were, where and when are we going and what are we looking for. I told him that Henry had lost his Platinum wedding band in about waist deep water on Holden Beach. As always, he agreed, and I told him I’d pick him up the next day about 2:15 pm.

The next morning, I got word from Rachel that the landlord agreed to us parking in the rental driveway, which was a huge help. I picked Burwin up at 2:15 and we headed up to Holden Beach. On the way, Burwin and I discussed the game plan, and Burwin mentioned the fact that the wind would be blowing from the south. Since Holden Beach runs east and west, a south wind meant that any wind would more than likely kick the waves up making a more interesting search. When we arrived and found our way out to the beach, Burwin would do an east/west parallel to the beach search starting at waist deep water. I took a north/south search perpendicular to the beach going out to about waist deep. Even the best of plans needs to be tweaked, and this was no different. At waist deep the waves were breaking over our heads and pushing us around like we were bobbers. After about 30 minutes or so, I went up the beach to check my grid lines and make sure I was still online. As I’m coming back down the beach, I noticed Burwin was coming out of the water. Burwin doesn’t come out of the water unless he’s finished, or he’s found what he’s looking for. As soon as I looked at him, he had the smile! I knew he had it. With everything said and done, Burwin was chest to shoulder deep, waves breaking over his head and getting knocked off the target about 3-4 times and still came up with Henry’s ring. Great Job Burwin! A platinum ring should usually be stamped on the inside, but neither Burwin nor I have good enough eyesight to see it. We ended up asking a young lady sitting on the beach and she confirmed it was stamped Platinum. I took a picture of the ring sitting on a shell and sent it to Henry and Rachel saying “KA-Boom!”

Monday, I put the ring in the mail, and they got it today, Wednesday.

Burwin – Once again, Thank You!

Henry/Rachel – Thank you for contacting me. Wish you two only the best!

Jim

 

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Wedding/Engagement Ring Lost in the Surf, Found and Returned Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 7/31/25 and just before 2 pm, I received a text saying, “Hi Jim. My name is Jennifer B and I lost my wedding/engagement ring about an hour ago in front of the Sand Castle Ocean Front Resort South Beach. I was about thigh deep in the ocean and got wiped out by a wave and lost the ring. Sending a picture. Thank you!” I checked the tide tables and figure she lost it about 45 minutes before high tide. By now the tide would have turned. By the time I’d get there it’d be a couple hours past high tide and easily researchable. I called the number attached to the text and spoke with Jennifer. I got a few more details and told her I’d be there in about 30-35 minutes. She agreed and I was on my way.

When I arrived, I easily found a place to park and walked on the beach. I called Jennifer telling her I was on the beach, and she directed me to where she was. When we met, she explained what had happened and looking at the conditions I completely understood how she lost it. Mother Nature wasn’t in a good mood; the sea breeze had picked up enough to blow the waves straight into the beach. There was also a tough at the bottom of the slope which meant the waves were crashing right where I thought her ring would be. I started a grid search both parallel and perpendicular to the shoreline and wasn’t having any luck. Twice, I tried to venture into the tough and both times waves knocked me flat. There were people including Jennifer, trying to help me get up and grab my detector and scoop. I wasn’t having any fun at this point. There were still a few hours before low tide, so I decided to call it for now and come back later. I apologized to Jennifer for not finding it but didn’t say I was coming back at that point. I needed to check the home front and grab some dinner for the wife and me. Just before low tide, I text Jennifer saying I was going back to try again and hit the road. I arrived back right at low tide and the conditions were much better. I started a grid search at the north end of the search area and about mid tide. I was able to make my way out to waist deep. My 3rd line, I hit a solid 11 on the VDI (visual display indicator), exactly what I expected for a lady’s Platinum ring. One scoop and I had it out of the hole, gently shook the sand out and saw her ring. I took a quick picture, sent it to Jennifer and said “Bingo.” I also asked where she was, and I’d bring it to her. I called her and found out her and the 4 ladies she was vacationing with were at a local restaurant, so I was on my way. I met Jennifer and her emotional response was priceless.

Jennifer – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure and get it back where it belongs.

Jim

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4 Yellow Gold Rings Lost at High Tide – Found and Returned Murrell’s Inlet SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On 7/20/25, just before 4:30 pm, I received a call from Michele asking if I could help find her 4 rings she had lost. She stated that she had taken the rings off to put on suntan lotion and put them in her beach chair seat. She had forgotten about the rings until she went up to her room, ate some lunch, took a shower and then realized she didn’t have her rings. Her and her husband, Kraig went back down to the beach, where they had been sitting. By then, the tide had come up and water was covering the area where they sat.  During our conversation, she told me this happened about an hour prior. Looking at the tide tables, this all happened about an hour before high tide. I told her that we could meet at 7:30 pm, which would be 2 hours after high tide. After we hung up, I got to thinking that 2 hours may be too long. I called her back and set up a meet time of 6:30 pm, she agreed.

It took me about 40 minutes to get to her condo, and I text her saying, “I‘m here” after I found a place to park.  As I’m walking across the parking lot, I heard my name and I got to meet Michele and her husband Kraig, As we’re walking out to the beach, Michele explained what I was looking for. She told me that 1 ring was her grandmother’s wedding band that she wore for more than 50 years. Her grandmother gave it to her when she and Craig got married 38 years ago – priceless! The 2nd ring was her mother’s mother’s ring – again priceless. The 3rd ring was her own mother’s ring, and the 4th was the engagement ring Kraig had given her many years ago. All 4 rings had significant sentimental value and importance to Michele. Michele and Kraig pointed out the area they thought they were in. They were close to each other but far enough apart, so I started a north/south grid line. Probably on my 4th line, I got a signal, but it wasn’t much to go on. All 4 rings were Yellow Gold, so I knew I’d be looking for numbers on the detector in the 13-16 range. I kept running the coil over the area to get something clear and finally dug a scoop of sand. The signals were a little better but still not clear enough to give me a good feeling. I dug a couple more scoops out of the hole and dumped the sand on the beach. Ran the coil over the area and got a solid 16 signal. Found the ring in the pile of sand and held it up for Michele to see – Bingo, grandma’s ring is in Michele’s hand. Took another scoop or two and Michele’s mother’s mother’s ring was now in hand. Two down, two to go! Another couple of scoops out of what is now about a 15–18-inch hole and got Michele’s engagement ring. After about 30 minutes of pulling out more sand, spreading the sand around on the beach, running the coil over the sand and all 3 of us trying to eyeball the ring, I just couldn’t find it. I asked Michele if she had had the ring sized and if the solder could have come apart making the ring not a whole ring. She told me that the ring is unique in that the top of the ring comes to a fork on both sides and the stones set on top of the forks. So, the top part of the ring does not connect to the other side. Now it’s time to come up with a plan B. I told Michele and Kraig I was going home to get a different detector and would be back in an hour and a half. I decided to get my White’s PI, a great machine but it’s heavy and does not discriminate. So basically, the machine sounds off on any metal under the coil. Before I left, I paced off and had a landmark to get me back on the spot.

When I got back, I text Michele and went to work to find my mark. I turned my PI on and waved the coil over the filled in hole and got a faint signal. Ok, this is working. I kept taking scoops of sand out and the signal got louder. After 4 or 5 scoops, the target was on the beach. By now it was dark, so I turned my headlamp on and started looking through the sand. Boom, I saw gold and pulled Michele’s mother’s ring out. I started walking up to the condo so I could get a decent picture and got to the door about the same time Michele. She was speechless; all 4 priceless and irreplaceable rings are back where they belong.

Michele – Thank you for allowing me to help you get all your rings back safe and sound!

Jim

 

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300th Find and Return, Man’s Lost Tungsten Wedding Band Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I received a text right at noon saying, “I don’t know if this is the right number, but I found it online for a ring finder at Myrtle Beach. I lost my tungsten wedding ring in the waves out at the beach near 19th Ave south and Southern Breeze Oceanfront. Is there any possible chance it could even be found, or would the undertow and waves at about 3 feet deep have carried it out?” I called the attached number and talked to Logan and asked him what time he lost it. He said about an hour before his text. I looked up the tide table for Myrtle Beach and high tide was at 11:27 am. Perfect, the tide had changed, so I told him there was a great chance of finding it and I’d be there at 3 pm. That would put me there right at mid-tide.

Right around 2 pm, I was getting antsy, so I text him saying I was on my way. With this being Sunday, I was concerned the beach would be packed with tourist and there wouldn’t be any parking. I got lucky with both and met Logan on the beach. He showed me the area and explained that he was about knee deep. He also made a comment about getting hit in the back with a wave. This confused me a little, in that I thought he may have been deeper than he thought with an outgoing tide. He gave me the north and south boundaries, and I started an east/west perpendicular to the beach grid line. After almost an hour and a half of searching and extending my search area on all four sides, I was coming up with nothing. Towards the end I was going in the ocean knee deep at mid tide. I went so far as asking a lady, who’d been on the beach longer than I was, if she saw anybody else with a detector. I also asked the lifeguard if anybody had turned in a ring. I was whooped, both mentally and physically. I called Logan and told him I couldn’t find it. I could tell in his voice he was hurt that I couldn’t find his ring.

I drove a couple of blocks towards home and remembered I had brought a second detector, which I usually do as a back-up. I called Logan back and told him I was going back to try again with a different detector. Logan had already called his wife, who’ll be here later this week, and told her he lost it, I was going to search, and then that I couldn’t find it. So, they were both on a little bit of a roller coaster ride.

I walked back out on the beach with a second wind and started a north/south grid line. About 30 minutes later I hit a target with a VDI (visual display indicator) of 18, exactly what a man’s Tungsten wedding band would show up as. No doubt in my mind that I had Logan’s ring. Took a scoop of sand, dumped in out on the beach, and moved the sand with my foot. There it was! I took a picture and sent to Logan saying, “Found it!! I’ll drop it off.” He responded instantly, “Oh my GOD. Thank you so much!! I don’t know if I just missed it on my first search or my southern boundary wasn’t far enough, regardless of how or why, the ring was found and returned.

Logan – So happy I got your treasure back where it belongs. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

 

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Man’s White and Yellow Gold Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean, Recovered and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Shortly after 11 a.m., I received a text from my son-in-law, Donnie who’s a North Myrtle Beach Police Officer asking, “Can you come to 23rd Ave South, ring?” I replied “sure.” He then added, “It’s in the water, kind of shallow but the tide is coming in. 2 hours before high tide.” He also sent me a name (Clete) and a phone number. I called Clete to get a few more details and told him I’d be there in about 10 minutes.

When I arrived at the beach, I met Clete as I was coming off the boardwalk. He walked me out to the area where he had marked the spot with a kid’s shovel buried in the sand. He said it was 50 steps out to the area. I looked at what 50 steps would approximately be, and I was prepared to get wet, but 50 steps would put me under water. Then he let me know it was 50 heel to toe steps, ok a little better.  I had him mark off the steps and he ended up about waist deep in the water. I turned my machine on and started my walk out to him. The water was cold!!! I caught a few waves that put me shoulder deep, but things were good. I did a couple of grid lines from shore to the spot with no luck. I then started at his spot and worked a grid around that spot. Suddenly, I got a good signal ringing up between 10-12. For the type ring he described, I was in the ballpark. I had to keep the coil on the target and butt the scoop up against the coil. Then move the coil out of the way to try and dig the target. After the third scoop, I had the target in the scoop. I let the waves wash the sand out of the scoop and Bingo; Clete’s ring was staring up at me from the bottom of the scoop. I removed the ring and clutched it in a closed fist as I walked back to shore. I looked up and saw Clete and Ashley, his wife, making their way towards me. Clete asked, “Did you find it?” I held out my fist and handed his lost treasure back to him. He was so relieved and grateful.

Donnie – thanks for the referral!

Clete – thank you for trusting me to help find and return your precious treasure. You and Ashley enjoy the rest of your family vacation!!

Jim

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Lady’s White Gold Wedding Ring Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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On Saturday night, August 31st at about 11:15 pm I received the following text, “Hi! I lost my wedding band today at ocean isle. Can you help tomorrow?” I responded with the normal questions, what time it was lost, where – soft sand or in the ocean, and if in the ocean how deep she was? She responded that it was in the dry sand. At that point I called her to make sure I had all the details and set up a time for the next morning for a search. This is when she told me that both her wedding band and engagement ring were stuck in a pouch on the beach chair. When she got back to the rental is when she realized the wedding ring was missing.

This morning, Sunday, I arrived at the address she gave me and met her in the driveway. She led me out to the area they had been sitting and I started a north/south grid search, extending the search area out on all four sides. She had told me when I started the search it was a white gold ring, so I knew I was looking for a signal between 6-8 on the machine. After completing the search area with no luck, I decided to start an east/west grid search. Now I’d be covering the area between where she was sitting and going across the beach towards the beach access point. On my second pass of the new grid, I got a solid 7 on the machine. Bingo. I dug out a scoop of sand and laid it on the beach, smoothing it out with my foot. I immediately saw her ring, reached down and picked it up. I held it up for her to see and she couldn’t believe it. She was so grateful and trying to hold back the tears of relief. This search ended with one happy young lady, a found ring and a hug.

Jessica – Thank you for allowing me to help find your lost treasure. Enjoy your last day of vacation and have a safe trip home.

Jim

   

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White Gold Wedding Band Set Lost in the Dry Sand, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC (with Video)

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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This recovery started on Monday, Aug 27th about 1:10 pm, with a text message from Rachel saying, “Hi Jim. Am I able to hire you to search around our beach chairs for my wedding rings?” The text had her phone number, so I called her to get a little more detail. She told me that she took her ring set off and put them in her cover-up pocket to put on suntan lotion. A short time later she took the cover-up off, forgetting about the set. Within seconds, she remembered about them being in the pocket, and they were gone. She was sure they were around the beach chairs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t available for at least an hour or two, but she said she wasn’t going anywhere until she was sure the area was checked.

I called her back about 1:45 pm saying I’d be there in 30-45 minutes. When I got there she was in the parking lot talking to friends. We walked out on the beach and across the sand to where her husband Rob was sitting. The search area was maybe 1.5X1.5 ft.  I had my Equinox 800 with me, turned it on and started swinging. With the ring set being white gold, I knew the VDI (Visual Display Indicator) would show between 8-12, depending on the size of the rings. Within seconds I had an 11 VDI and a strong signal next a beach chair. I asked Rachel if she’d move the beach chair so I could be sure I wasn’t getting interference from it. I swung my machine back over the spot and BINGO! I had to take 2 scoops to get the target out of the hole. I didn’t ask, but I assumed that Rachel and Rob had tried to find the ring set and moved enough sand to bury the ring a little deeper. When I spread the sand out on the beach, Rachel spotted her ring before I did and quickly picked it up. There were a few very happy tears of relief and a big hug from Rachel, who didn’t think she’d get her precious treasure back.

Special thanks to my son, Mike, who’s visiting from CT and took the video for the story.

Rachel and Rob – Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost treasure. Have a great rest of your vacation!!

Jim

   

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