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Lost Wedding Ring Found in Lake Geneva, WI

  • from Lake Geneva (Wisconsin, United States)

Gold in the Lake

 

Another successful recovery!  This story happened three years ago, and there have been many exciting treasures unearthed since then, but I did not take the time to write this one down.  Simply put, David went for an afternoon swim, dove off the pier and his wedding ring slipped off and down to the sandy bottom.  Out of sight, but not out of mind.  

A call to The Ring Finders solved the problem.  I was able to dive with my new Nemo by Blu3 and find David’s ring.  The smiles tell the rest of the story.  What a joy to be part of The Ring Finders network of metal detecting recovery specialists! 

Lost Wedding Ring Recovered from Lake Geneva, WI

  • from Lake Geneva (Wisconsin, United States)

Caught in the Storm

August 10, 2025

The weekend of August 8, 9, 10, 2025 saw record flooding in Southeastern Wisconsin.

“The Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee, Menominee and Root rivers all hit record highs over the weekend, with the Milwaukee River going more than 4-feet over flood level.” (PBS News)

  I was camping in the Wisconsin Dells with my ten-year-old daughter and although under a flood watch, my first-world problems consisted only of a leaky tent and a restless night’s sleep.  

Down in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, Brian and his family were caught in a fast approaching storm on Geneva Lake.  Spotting a stranger’s open boat shelter, he took refuge, keeping his family safe (including his infant grandchild) and waited out the storm.  Once the storm cleared, he navigated to the municipal pier and docked.  Crisis averted… that is until his son, Mike, who was tying the boat to the pier piling, experienced that stomach-turning feeling of his wedding ring slipping off into the murky lake.  

Despite being known for clear, clean water, Geneva Lake was a murky mess after the storm. The seaweed, having grown long all summer, further clouded any hopes for a quick dive in to retrieve the ring.

Brian turned to Chat GPT.  It eventually led him to Seth Tost – “Ring Finder and Metal Detector Specialist.”  Among other facts about me, it claimed “has a proven track record recovering lost rings in local beaches and waters.”  It’s important not to believe everything you read in Chat GPT, but I sure did want to maintain the bar AI set for me.

I arrived at 6:15 and after a few questions was in the water.  I popped into the water at 6:22 pm and was photographing the ring at 6:39 pm.  This was by far my fastest recovery and I give a majority of the credit to Brian for pinpointing the location where Mike’s ring decided to go for a swim.    

The ring is a mixture of tantalum and gold.  Tantalum is not a metal I am used to detecting.  It is super resistant to corrosion, so it’s used in surgical implants and electronics.  It holds a charge well and is used in cell phone and computer capacitors.  It’s also used in men’s wedding bands because it’s scratch resistant, durable, and has a gunmetal grey color.

Needless to say, it was a joyous recovery for myself and Brian’s family.  And for now, I’m still doing my part to keep Chat GPT honest.

Lost Wedding Ring Recovered in Mauston, WI

  • from Lake Geneva (Wisconsin, United States)

Waterpark Distress

July 30, 2025

Sandy Shores Resort in Mauston, WI offers users an exciting inflatable obstacle course.  The inflatables sit atop a clay lined pool landscaped to bring the lake experience to users.  Ringed by clean, soft sand, it offers ample seating for those just wanting to enjoy the sun.  It’s the beach brought to south-central Wisconsin.

Sebastian was enjoying the floating inflatables when, while climbing back up out of the water, he felt his wedding ring slip off into the water.  As a newlywed, he really wanted this ring back, and had been looking for the ring for four days, diving down and searching by feel.  At the depth where his ring was lost, it was completely dark.  He even tried some ideas provided by a local detectorist to no avail.  When he called, he was desperate for success.      

After speaking with Sebastian and receiving a few aerial map images by text, I agreed to the search.  The owner of Sandy Shores was gracious and gave me permission to dive before the park opened for the day.  Sebastian provided the perfect location to begin my search and after a few minutes diving in the search zone, I found his ring.

Like many jobs in life, if you have the right tools, some experience, and a willingness to try, there is often success.  Sebastian provided detailed information to guide me.  I brought the tools and the experience in using them.  Together, we returned this precious reminder of their wedding day.

How to find lost ring with Metal Detector, Surf City NJ, LBI, recovered by Edward Trapper, NJ Ring Finder

  • from Lavallette (New Jersey, United States)

 

It was a perfect day for the beach, so Nicole and her friends decided to spend the afternoon soaking up the sun. At one point, Nicole took off her rings to apply sunblock, and her friend tucked them into her pocket for safekeeping. Somehow, in the hustle of the day, the rings slipped out and disappeared into the soft white sand of the Jersey Shore. When they realized the rings were missing, panic quickly set in. Like many in this situation, they started searching frantically through the sand but had no luck. That’s when they realized it was time to call in a professional with a metal detector.

After speaking with Nicole, we agreed I should come down immediately to start the search. Her friend met me at the dune walkover and explained what had happened as we made our way back to their spot. Once we arrived, I moved all their belongings aside and began the search. Just a few seconds into it, I heard the telltale sound, and soon enough, the rings were safely in my scoop.

What could have been a tragic loss turned into a happy ending, thanks to a little patience and a quick call to me at NJ Ring Finder !!!!!!

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Beautiful Gold Wedding Band Lost, Recovered and Returned in Trenton, NJ!!!

  • from Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, United States)

Owen was referred to me by fellow Ring Finder John Favano. Owen was convinced that his 2 year old 14k gold wedding band fellow off his finger somewhere between his truck and the 2nd story porch of his apartment in Trenton, NJ. After parking he put his ring temporarily on his pinky as he carried a heavy moving blanket from his truck to his apartment. When he got to his apartment he went out on porch and fluffed out the blanket and hung it on the railing…immediate after he noticed his ring was no longer on his pinky. He looked for hours and even borrowed a friends metal detector before reaching out to a pro for help. I arrived at his place and immediately scanned the grass where he walked from his truck to his apartment…no luck. Then we looked under, around and beneath 2nd story porch…no luck. Then we simulated the loss by recreating the movement of putting blanket across railing with another ring …it showed the ring could have flown further out into backyard. After 50 minutes of search time….we were ready to give up…when boom!!!! there it was! Farther than where we could have imagined it flew from 2nd story porch! I was very happy…and Owen was very relieved….to have his ring back on his finger!!!

 

Eastham, MA Necklace “The Bean” Dug from the Sand and Returned by Richard Browne

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

A preface to my blog:

“The Tiffany Bean Necklace is more than just a piece of jewelry; it is a cultural symbol. Over the years, it has become synonymous with personal milestones—from graduations to anniversaries, and even as a gesture of self-love. The necklace represents a connection to significant life moments, encapsulating memories and emotions that are often cherished by its wearers.” Quoted from: wearfortune.com/blogs

July 20, 2025 As it happened to be the summer tourist season the main highway thought the Outer Cape on Cape Cod (route 6) is usually bumper to bumper unless you can travel late night or early morning. My luck the tide would be low and a early morning search possible. Parking would be another problem. My luck again was on my side. A vacationer was packing his vehicle at the end of his stay. He was all-in to let me park in “his” driveway while I went to search for the lost “Bean”.

Ready for the search, I preceded to the area described to me and then did a grid search. Not finding the necklace and wondering where to move my search area to. Luke shows up and told me the difference between what I counted as 2 wood posts was a bit short of what he had counted. OK another 50 feet down the beach and I saw some of the previous night’s search marks in the sand. I started to search swinging my detector in a precise pattern. About two minutes into the grid, Bingo, I heard a promising signal, took a shallow scoop and saw the necklace hanging from the end of my scoop.

The search was over, just as Luke’s sister (the Beans owner) was strolling down the beach toward our location as we were about to leave. Smiles and thank you along with me getting the relationship, to each other of those, that came to watch. I knew my trip home would also be easy as all the traffic build up would be in the other direction of travel this morning. Nothing but smiles and a good cup of coffee are a perfect beginning for any day.

Yarmouth, MA Lost Gold Necklace Returned by Richard Browne

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

August 9, 2025 After an early morning search for a lost ring that I did not find, I received a call for help in finding a lost necklace with a fireman’s cross hanging on it. I had been a Captain in a Deep Creek, VA volunteer fire department back in the early 1970s. How could I refuse except it was only two hours before low tide and I thinking I may not be able to get out to where the necklace was lost. What the heck, I went.

I met Matt on the now crowded beach. He pointed out the area, the area he thought was the most likely to be where he lost his necklace. As the tide was coming in rapidly, I started at the deepest section and work into the shallower area. After retrieving a few iffy signals that were pull tabs and a fishing sinker. Then I heard a signal I was waiting for, I took one careful scoop, not wanting to harm the necklace, raised it to the surface and saw gold hanging onto the open edge of the scoop. It was about high tide and time to give up until the tide went out. Matt thought I was giving up for the day. He did not know I had the chain and fireman’s cross in the scoop.

Matt came to the water’s edge, not looking very happy until I let him look into the scoop and retrieve his necklace. Great thanks and praises arose from those watching what was going on. By the time I found the necklace most nearby bathers knew of Matt’s loss and why the guy in the water was just walking back and forth. Needless to say that Matt was most thankful for the return of his necklace and charm that had been given to him by his wife 10 years ago.

The real mystery is: how did the necklace come off of Matt’s neck? The clasp was still hooked, It had to have been pulled off, over his head. Perhaps by his son while riding on Matt’s shoulder. It really does not matter. What does, is the happy ending that made for smiles all around.

Silver Ring Flies Off Finger and Becomes Lost in Sand – FOUND

  • from Emerald Isle (North Carolina, United States)

EMERALD ISLE BEACH, NC

Evan called Crystal Coast Ring Finders to locate a lost silver ring.  His family were out the tossing a small football when, during a throw,  Elise felt her sentimental ring fly from her finger.

Moments after arrival to the location, we discussed the general boundaries where they felt the ring would be retrieved for Elise.   I started my grid search and a strong 92 signal on my XP Deus II metal detector.   This was the type of signal I was expecting and after gently placing my hand deep in the sand I was able to scoop up a handful of sand with Elise’s lost ring.  The group was very surprised how quickly I found the missing ring.

#emeraldislebeachnc, #emeraldislenc, #boguebanks, #crystalcoast, #thecrystalcoast, #xpfinds

Gold Wedding Band Lost, Recovered and Returned in Newark, DE!!!

  • from Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, United States)

Zac contacted me via text message Wed night after finding me in the Ring Finders Directory. That evening he was on the street in his front of his house in Newark, DE…he picked up a stick and went to throw it and he saw and felt his gold wedding band fly off his finger…he heard one distinct “ting” where it hit street somewhere but he never saw the direction it went. He searched for hours with his eyes and rakes/brooms before reaching out to me. I told him I would be there first thing the following morning. I originally thought this would be a quick job…the ring bounced once on street and then into the grass across the street but nope…it wasn’t in the grass across the street. This is where ring finding and metal detecting experience counts! I told Zac to go grab a metal washer…we’re going to re-enact the crime…I had Zac stand where he was with washer in his left hand (he was left handed) and pretend to throw stick again and let washer fly…guess what? it didn’t fly across the street it actually flew toward his home on the opposite side. There wasn’t any grass on that side…just some mulched beds with some shrubbery. I proceeded to scan under the first shrub I came to and immediately heard the signal I was looking for…a gold ring on the surface has a very unique signature on metal detector! I bent down and lifted the low branches of the shrub…and there was his beautiful gold ring!!! With Zac 10 feet away ..I held the ring up with a triumphant look….OMG the look of relief on his face was priceless! Its so fun and rewarding to be able to come through for people…I was so happy to get the ring back on Zac’s finger!!!

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Jennings Beach CT Channel 12 New York / CT Good people out there. A Ring finder reunites Fairfield man with wedding band lost in LI Sound July 2025

  • from Old Saybrook (Connecticut, United States)

I was contacted by Marissa Alter because after helping Lou recover his lost wedding ring form the water at Jennings beach, he sent some photographs to the channel 12 news and they followed up with an interview to give people faith that there is hope and to have faith in humanity, there are people that care about others and prayers can be answered.

 

Good people out there.’ Ring finder reunites Fairfield man with wedding band lost in LI Sound

‘Good people out there.’ Ring finder reunites Fairfield man with wedding band lost in LI Sound