metal detector rental Tag | The Ring Finders

Lost Ring at Saugatuck Dunes State Park Found

  • from Saugatuck (Michigan, United States)
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My first successful recovery was working with my brother-in-law and fellow Ring Finder, Tom Townsend.  Tom received a text from Oscar on a Saturday afternoon saying his fiancé had lost his unique gold ring in the water at Saugatuck Dunes State Park on July 4th.  He and his fiancé had already returned home to the Boston area and were unable to meet us at the beach.  They had taken pictures of the location on the beach and, using the trees on the bank behind where they had set up for the day, helped to narrow down where to start the search.  Oscar said the ring was lost 30-50 yards from shore in about waist deep water.  Tom and I entered the water and started a grid search, Tom moving north while I searched to the south.  It took a little over an hour to find but, being made of gold with a wood inlay, it made a very unusual sound.  I was very surprised to see gold in my basket after 3 attempts to scoop it.   The ring was promptly mailed off to Boston to its rightful owner.   Oscar’s fiancé is a bit camera shy so I have to post a picture of myself with the ring.   Finding and returning this beautiful ring was a highlight of my summer.

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Diamond Ring Recovered from Geneva Lake (Wisconsin)

  • from Lake Geneva (Wisconsin, United States)
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70 Days Lost

July 4th, 2026.  The United States of America was busy celebrating its 250th anniversary with parades, cookouts, and family gatherings.  Mitchell and Abigail were no different.  They came to Lake Geneva to be with family, fellowship around the table, and simply have some fun as a newly engaged couple.  But this day brought a loss they were not expecting.

Abigail cooled off that day with a jump in Geneva Lake.  She swam a handful of strokes toward a floating trampoline and switched to doggy paddling.  And this is when her beautiful diamond engagement ring slipped off her finger and was lost in the muck below.  

And it would stay lost for 70 days.

Mitch texted me on July 6th, “My fiancé’s engagement ring came off while jumping in Lake Geneva… I’m curious if you would be able to help…”

I wasted no time getting to the site, and met up with Mitch’s mother the evening of July 6th.  She shared the story, and I donned my diving gear to make my first attempt to find the ring.  Little did I know it would take five more diving sessions over 70 days, the retrieval of hundreds of metal items from the lake, and nearly 9 hours of diving to find Abigail’s engagement ring.

Although I have hundreds of hours diving in the shallow waters of Geneva Lake, this particular spot was my most difficult.  The seaweed, after a summer of growth, was tall and thick.  The silt at the bottom stirred up almost instantly and clouded any visibility I might have had.  The area between the pier and the floating trampoline was large. And then there was the trash: pull tabs, beer cans, and coins; there were sinkers and fishing lures, pier bolts and washers; boat parts, including a steering wheel, a rear-view mirror, and safety lights; a thermometer, glasses, sunglasses, a dog bowl.  There was only one way to find the ring… keep digging.

I went back as often as I could: July 11, July 21, August 15, September 5, September 12.  I spent about 1.5 to 2 hours each time, digging up the aforementioned “treasures.”  

Mel Fisher, the famous treasure hunter, spent 17 years searching for the famous sunken Spanish treasure ship the Atocha (Nuestra Señora de Atocha).  The mother lode, found in 1985, is estimated to be worth around 400 million.  He had a slogan that he repeated every day, “Today’s the day!”

On the morning of September 12th, this phrase echoed in my mind as I ate breakfast and thought about my search strategy.  I knew the math was in my favor.  Every piece of metal I removed got me closer to zero metal targets in my search zone.  The more I looked, the more ground I would cover.  I would eventually land on top of the ring, and I thought, Today’s the day!

The weather was pleasant that Saturday as I narrated into my GoPro the thoughts on the day’s search.  My final line was… “We’ve just got to keep persevering.”  About 30 minutes later, I was able to add my post-video commentary, “We did it… I’m so relieved.. What a day!  Thank you, Lord. This is the Day!”

And so the ring was found… but how to surprise Mitch and Abigail?

It’s helpful to add that over these 70 days I never actually met Mitch or Abigail.  We texted and talked on the phone, but no face-to-face meetings, which gave me a fun idea.  What if I could surprise them?  

So instead of calling them and sharing the good news, I called Mitch’s mother to set up the surprise reveal.  After a few phone calls, the plan was in place: Mitch and Abigail were asked to drive from their home near Milwaukee, WI to Lake Geneva, WI because Mitch’s parents needed to tell them something in person.  They were reassured it was good news, but they needed to hear it in person: “Could they come?”  Mitch and Abigail might have been a bit perturbed to receive such a short-term request on a Saturday morning, but they agreed to make the 45-minute drive.

On my end, I decided to write a short, somewhat cryptic poem, glue it to a palm-sized box with the ring inside, and then just show up at Mitch’s parents’ home to present the mystery package.  Remember, they had never met me, so I was just some random guy, delivering a small, mysterious package.  

After I arrived, Mitchell and Abigail came out together.  The curious, maybe slightly uncomfortable, looks on their faces just added to the moment.  I presented Abigail the box and asked her to read the poem aloud.  She read:

Seventy days

In a watery grave

Yet hope remained

And efforts stayed

Our shared joy doubles

As the time draws near

When two become one    

“Stop…” Abigail paused

And then she opened the box and her ring peered back from a cotton pillow. “Ohhhh…..  Stop,” Abigail continued, and Mitchell came in for a hug.

Mitch: “I never thought I would see it again.”

Abigail: “I’ve felt naked without it.”

Mitch: “Wow. It’s unbelievable!”

The search was finally over, the ring returned, the thanks given.  What a joy to be able to help people like Mitch and Abigail!  If you or someone you know has lost a phone, ring, or other jewelry item, please call.  The smiles I enjoy when returning lost items are one of the best parts of what I do.

 

Trash Removed from the Lake:

 

 

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Bachelorette Party Saved!!! – Found Ring

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
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I SAVED THE BACHELORETTE PARTY!!! 😃

I never thought I’d get to say that, but that’s exactly what happened when Madeline called me yesterday with an emergency.

The girls had come back from a boat ride the evening before, and when they got to the house, they decided to run into the Gulf and do a big swan dive. Madeline got the dive down pat… but unfortunately, her class ring did not make it out of the Gulf with her!

It’s a University of Texas at Austin ring, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Needless to say, she certainly didn’t want to leave it behind.

Luckily, she called me the next morning. I came out and talked with her about where she thought she had entered the water, and with a full audience of bachelorettes watching from the beach, I began my search.

I started with a pass in the Gulf where I thought she might have first entered the water, but it wasn’t there. I then moved up onto the beach, searching the area where the waves were breaking, thinking she might have dropped it when she stood up and walked out.

Still nothing.

I began a deeper search, thinking the ring may have gone flying when she hit the water during her swan dive. At that point, I started to worry that she might not know exactly where she had entered the Gulf in the dark the night before.

But I needn’t have worried.

A few feet later, I heard that beautiful gold tone in my headphones. 🎯

With the entire bridal party watching from the beach, I gently scooped up her ring. One of the girls even said she could see it shining through my scoop from way up on the beach!

Everyone came rushing down the beach, cheering, and Madeline started to cry. Through the tears, she told me it was the “best day ever.” ❤️

Now THAT is a great review!

Thank you again, Madeline, for trusting me with something so special. I’m glad I was able to save the bachelorette party — and even happier that you got your ring back! 🧡

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Clam Digging Results With Wedding Set Lost in the Mud – Found Days Later

  • from Emerald Isle (North Carolina, United States)
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Cape Carteret, NC

Brenda called Crystal Coast Ring Finders for help trying to locate her missing 3 piece wedding set.  Brenda was out trying to find clams in the very shallow waters of the Bogue Sound.  It wasn’t until the next morning she realized her wedding set was missing.  I asked her many questions about what she did after being in the water and it was determined the rings were more likely lost in or near the muddy area she searched for clams.  The day I met the couple (married 55 years!) the weather was less than favorable with strong winds keeping the tide higher than normal and white cap waves at times.  After a few passes, I informed them this was not ideal conditions and I would return soon to try again.  On the second attempt, I tried to take advantage of the negative low tide that day and get out as far as she informed me she hunted on that sad day. As I expected, I found many items of garbage but no rings.  The third day I returned and after checking my tracking software realized there was still an area that needed more attention.  After a while I finally came across a very solid signal and was hoping it wasn’t garbage.  I brought my scoop up out of the mud and after clearing the debris, I noticed that spectacular shine of gold!  I marked the location of the first ring and about 3 foot away I found a very similar signal.  It was Brenda’s engagement ring.  Once again, I marked the area in the water with a pole and seared again.  Once again at around 3 feet further was the last ring!  It was apparent to me she lost the rings throwing something.  Brenda explained she was digging with her right hand if she found an empty shell, she would toss it into an area she already hunted.

Brenda informed me her friends were very doubtful any of the rings would be found and even encouraged her to file an insurance claim on the lost rings.  When I informed Brenda (who had returned to Pennsylvania) I have found all 3 rings, she told me she filed a claim the previous day and would now call them back to cancel the claim and save her the deductible amount.  Brenda and her husband Floyd for 55 years returned back to North Carolina a few weeks later and I was very happy to return the rings to her in person and I really enjoyed visiting them.

 

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Silver/Gold Engagement Ring Lost, Recovered and Returned in Bucks County, PA!!!

  • from Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, United States)
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Jessica found me in the Ring Finders Directory after losing her beautiful diamond engagement ring while doing some minor landscaping in her front yard. She was in her yard in Fairless Hills, PA and while wiping her hands on her pants she felt her ring slip off and fall into the deep grass. After searching for quite a while she decided to reach out to a professional and I went to search the next day. 10 minutes into scanning her front yard with my top of the line detector I received the signal I was hoping for…I bent down and parted the grass and there was her beautiful ring! I was very happy to be able to return Jessica’s ring to her!

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Fun Family Day at the Beach also Has Lost Wedding Band. Found the Next Morning

  • from Emerald Isle (North Carolina, United States)
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Anthony and his family spent a fun-filled day on Emerald Isle beach, where he tucked his gold wedding band into the pocket of a beach chair. After enjoying the sun and sand, they packed up their belongings and returned to their lodging. Later, when they discovered the ring was missing, Anthony reached out to Crystal Coast Ring Finders. The next morning, I set out to search for it. With his clear description of where the kids had played and the chairs had been set up, I powered on my gear and began scanning the area. Luckily, I headed straight to the spot where the ring was buried just beneath the sandy surface.

10% or $5.00 (whichever is greater) of any reward amount will be donated to Fishin’ for a Cure

#emeraldisle, #boguebanks, #crystalcoast

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Clemmons, NC – Wedding band lost exercising in park.

  • from Winston-Salem (North Carolina, United States)
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On Monday 09/14/2026 I received notification from my daughter that a local resident was appealing for assistance locating her husbands ring on a social media site.  Described as lost while exercising in a park.

I contacted Mrs. Brown and explained I was a short distance from the park and would be glad to assist in the search.  I also warned her to not share too many specifics online because it was lost in a public place.   Explaining it was in a heavy traffic area and time was of the essence I assured her I would be on-site immediately following a meeting I had already committed to.

Arrived at the park after 8:00 and darkness had set in.  I immediately realized that no lighting was in this area so I geared up with my headlamp and a spare light in my pocket “just in case”.   Walking towards the trail entrance I scanned beside of the paved sidewalk in case he had dropped in this area. I had many strong shallow signals and each time found where others had dropped fishing weights.   When I entered the trailhead I began scanning left of the trail approximately 50 yards into woods. It became even darker because trees blocked star and moonlight.  Approaching a park bench I recalled her description of his workout that he would stop to do push-ups. This area looked to be where he may stop to do push-ups.  I searched around the bench and approximately four feet off trail I had a strong signal. Looking closer I discovered a black and gold ring.

I texted Mrs. Brown asking if she could describe the ring and she replied with a photo.  Whoo-hoo, ring found in 30 minutes.  I made her aware by texting a photo and she immediately called me overjoyed and saying “I cannot believe you found it”.   We made arrangements to meet the next day.   She was not going to tell her husband so it could be a surprise.

I met with Mrs. Brown and she was very happy and could not stop looking at the ring.  Her husband as of this writing is still not aware of the recovery and hopefully we will get an update in comments of how the reveal pans out.

Thank you for entrusting me to find your husbands treasure.  Although this recovery didn’t cause to much exercise for me I did get some steps in.


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Ring Recovered from Water in Lake Geneva, WI

  • from Lake Geneva (Wisconsin, United States)
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A Friend in Need

Lake Geneva, WI, once dubbed the Newport (RI) of the West in the late 19th century, has a rich history and many charming features, drawing both tourists and residents.  Some come for the shopping, the restaurants, and the small-town atmosphere.  Others come for work or strong schools.  It’s no surprise the lake itself, Geneva Lake, is the main attraction, the magnet, the reason people come to the area.

And surrounding this beautiful lake is a 21+ mile lake path that the public has enjoyed for hundreds of years.  It began as a simple footpath for Native Americans to travel and hunt between villages.  In the 1870s, it evolved into a workman and estate trail before finally becoming a legal right-of-way in the late 19th century.  It was during this final stage, in 1894, that a piece of land was donated to the city of Lake Geneva to build a park and library.

And this is where my story begins.

On August 25th, 2026, Susan left me a voicemail.  “I’m calling in regards to hopefully you helping to find a piece of lost jewelry near the shoreline at one of the spots in Lake Geneva.”  After talking with Susan, I learned that a friend of theirs had lost a special ring in the lake, near the front of Library Park.  This historic lakepath is now a concrete sidewalk with open views of the water and benches for sitting and enjoying the space.

In front of one of these benches, somewhere in the shallow water, sat a ring for nearly a month.  The ring was accidentally thrown into the water by a friend.  I met with Susan and Randy to see what I could do.  They contacted me on behalf of a friend, hoping I could find it with my metal detector.  Could I find it?

It was a cool morning, around 6:30 am, when we met.  I listened to their story, and as I got in the water, Randy pointed me in the right direction.  The seaweed was thick in this shallow area, and there were many rocky sections that could easily hide a ring.  I searched in a grid pattern for nearly an hour and found only trash and a few coins.  At this point, I was getting quite cold, and my pouch was full of heavy trash.  I decided to take a break, dump all the trash from my pouch, and rethink the search.  Although I wore my full-length wetsuit, Randy saw I was chilled and offered to get me a coffee.  I brushed it off, not wanting to impose on him, but his kindness insisted, and off he went.

In the meantime, I sat on the bench with Susan, talking about the situation and how it was thrown into the water… and then I had an idea.  

I got up and picked up three small stones, felt their weight, and guessed they might be close to the weight of a ring.  The ring was thrown from a seated position on the bench.

  I handed Susan a stone and said, “Throw it.  Throw it like you remember it was thrown.”  She did, and the stone didn’t even make it to the water.  It clattered on the stones along the shore.  

“Try again,” I added.  “Really give it a throw!”  She obliged, and this time it just barely plinked into the edge of the lake.  

“I think I’m searching too far out, Susan,” I said.  “The stones you threw are nowhere close to where I was looking.”  She agreed.

Randy arrived with the hot coffee, and what a blessing it was!  It wasn’t long before I was warm and eager to start the search again.

But before getting into the water, I gathered three more stones and ran Randy through the same stone-throwing test… and had similar results.  Each stone landed just beyond the shoreline.

I donned my gear and stepped back into the water, searching in barely ankle-deep water, listening and scanning with my eyes.

Moments later, I saw it, the ring, clearly resting between two fist-sized stones.  I questioned my eyes, as it had been nearly a month in the water, and ran my detector over it.  Beeeeep!  I reached in and plucked it from the bottom.  The search was a success!  

Randy and Susan were elated!  They were able to return this precious piece of jewelry, which has so many irreplaceable memories connected to it, to their friend.

If you or someone you know has lost a phone, ring, or other jewelry item, please call.  The smiles I enjoy when returning lost items are one of the best parts of what I do.

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Ring lost in Serra Mesa found

  • from La Jolla (California, United States)
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Shelly found my number asking for help finding her lost ring. She was in the back yard on a deck overlooking a canyon when her ring took a high dive over the fence and into the abyss below.  She and her husband had even bought a detector and pin pointer to search with on their own, but, without any luck. This was no ordinary back yard. It was a steep jungle of jade plant, scrub trees, and native brush, along with the typical debris a canyon seems to accumulate……aluminum cans, foil, metal junk of all sorts, and some broken up concrete. Oh, and in the middle of all this is a metal chain link fence separating their yard with a SDG&E access road area. Not going to be an easy one….and it wasn’t. First hot and humid day, with hope and a prayer, but, with limited areas to swing a search coil, it wasn’t found. Serious ground clearing was in order, and that’s what they did the second day. Shelly and her husband bought a chainsaw and some loppers to try and clear the search area. Third day, I came back to see if the ring could now be found. A quick sweep of the area again and still nothing. Ok, time to get serious. All three of us now decided to completely clear everything from in and around the fence and cut down a tree that was in supposedly ground zero. Hit the fence line with detector and pin pointer now that I had some access. Still nothing. Well actually something….We had had Shelly toss some coins where she thought the ring went, and We found all of those. Before expanding the search area even more, we cleaned all the debris we had created and moved it all downhill so I could make one last sweep over the dirt access road along the fence that we both had swept 2-3 times already. Two thirds of the way through, I got THE signal! Just under the dirt was this gorgeous ring. Not sure if it had been hung up in the tree, the brush, the jade plants next to the fence or what, but, we now had a happy couple, and a sweaty, tired detectorist eager to get out of that canyon and into some A/C with a cold drink. A pleasure to meet you both, your folks, your puppy, and thank you for the reward.

 

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Phone Recovered from Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, WI

  • from Lake Geneva (Wisconsin, United States)
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A Daughter’s Phone Takes a Swim

It was a Saturday evening, September 5, 2026, when the call came about a phone dropped in the lake.  Ryan was anchored outside of the swimming area at Williams Bay Beach on Geneva Lake.  Family and friends were enjoying a perfect day on the water with jet skis, blue skies, and good company when his daughter’s phone went overboard.  The oft-repeated mistake of wrapping a valuable item in a towel and then promptly forgetting about it led to the phone taking a swim. 

“How deep are you anchored?” I asked.

Ryan’s depth gauge read 10.4 feet.  I explained that my maximum depth is 10 feet, but I told him I would be willing to give it a try.  He was securely anchored, so although drift would be minimal, the conditions underwater might prove to be challenging.

After a short jet ski ride to their boat, I donned my flippers and breathing apparatus and sank to the bottom.  Would I be able to reach the lake bed?

The water was clear, but significant seaweed obscured my vision.  Once I sank far enough, I was encouraged when I touched the bottom, though I soon realized the real bottom lay another foot deeper beneath silty sediment.  Perhaps the cell phone rested on top of the vegetation, and I would not even need to use my metal detector.  After a cursory swim around the boat and a little extra time on the port side, I popped up for a breather.  Ryan and I chatted a bit, and he felt that searching the stern area in an arc would be the best approach.  

I again sank to the bottom and started scanning.  It was quiet.  That was good.  I felt that if I heard anything, it would be the phone.  It wasn’t long before I heard a high-pitched screaming tone… the sound my machine makes over a cell phone.  I rescanned the area, and when I reached down into the loose vegetation, I felt the rectangular shape I was hoping for.  The pink case greeted me first.  When I flipped it over, the screen flashed on.  Success!

If you or someone you know has lost a phone, ring, or piece of jewelry, please call.  The smiles I enjoy when returning lost items are one of the best parts of what I do.

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