Sentimental Silver chain with Medallion and Charms Lost in the Sand, Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Just before 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, I got a text message from Katie saying, “Hi. I lost my necklace at Ocean Isle Beach, just in front of Ocean Isle Inn, towards the end closest to the pier. It was lost yesterday evening, around 2200.” Knowing the tides, I knew 10 p.m. last night was right at low tide. I responded back to her text asking, what kind of necklace and was it lost in the water or dry sand? I also asked her to call me. She responded back describing the chain, medallion, and 3 additional charms that were on the necklace, she also added 2 photos showing the necklace. I asked her again to call me, and then asked again if it was lost in the ocean or wet sand. I also asked if she was still in the area to show me the location. Her last text said it was lost on the beach about 10-15 ft in front of the dunes. She also said she was in transit heading back to Raleigh. Then she finished saying, “I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly though, maybe I’ll get lucky somehow and if someone found it, they will see my post. Crazier things have happened, right? Thank you again”. As soon as I read 10-15 ft from the dunes, I knew I had almost a 100% chance of finding her necklace. Local detectionists usually don’t hunt that high on the beach, and tourists usually hunt right behind a hotel or resort. I text back that since it was in the dry sand, it shouldn’t be a problem and I was going to look for it.
When I got to the beach, there was nobody sitting where I needed to detect, which was a little surprising. I turned my Equinox on, and started an east/west grid line parallel to the surf and at the base of the dunes. I probably covered twice the area I needed to, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. My 6th or 7th grid line I got a shallow but solid 16/17 VDI (visual display indicator). I gently dug a scoop full of sand. As I’m lifting the scoop out of the hole, I see the silver necklace hanging out of the sand in the scoop. I reached down and pulled the necklace out of the sand and out came the medallion and charms. It was still all in one piece and I didn’t have a broken necklace, thank goodness! I took a picture of the necklace, medallion and charms, text “Found it!!” and sent it to her. Since she was driving, it took her a little while to respond but when she did, she was excited. Part of her text said “Literally in tears right now!!” Right then I knew this necklace had a lot of sentimental value attached to it. I ask her if there was a back story attached to the necklace, and indeed there was. After hearing her story, I knew, without a doubt, it was worth every second I spent looking, finding, and returning her very special treasure to her.
Katie, I wish you only the best. Thank you for trusting me to help find your lost necklace.
Jim
