Ring and Jewelry Recovery Service Ocean Isle Beach NC Tag | Page 2 of 2 | The Ring Finders

Prescription Glasses Lost in the Ocean, Found and Returned North Myrtle Beach SC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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It had been a great weekend with family in town and sadly as they all left, I wanted to do a little metal detecting. I had just received my new quest scoopal sand scoop in the mail and attached an old wooden handle and was ready to go. There were plenty of people on the beach; the problem was, there weren’t any places to park. After driving to three different spots, I finally found a parking spot and hit the beach. I had my new scoop in one hand and my new Equinox 800, third time out with it, in the other hand.

I hit my first target, stuck my new scoop in the sand, and wouldn’t you know it, my handle broke. I then remembered why the handle wasn’t attached to my T-Rex scoop, I had cracked the base of the handle and changed it out last year. Luckily, I still had my T-Rex in the trunk and headed back to the car. On my way off the beach, Betty approached me wanting to know if I had found a pair of kid’s prescription glasses. I hadn’t, so I got the description of the glasses and found out they had been lost within the last 10 minutes. I told her I needed to change scoops and that I’d be right back and see what I could do. There’s usually very little chance of finding freshly dropped glasses. Glasses are so light; they get pushed and pulled by the surf until the metal frames finally settle in the sand and get buried. Also, as they’re getting pushed and pulled, the lenses get scratched up rubbing against the sand.

 When I got back to the site, I started doing a grid search in the surf, hoping to visually spot the glasses. After a pretty extensive visual search, I told Betty that I’d be there for a while, working the outgoing tide, and if I found the glasses, I’d leave them with the lifeguard. As I’m working the tide line, I walked north of the lost area and spotted the glasses laying on top of the wet sand about 20-30 yards away from the original area. I picked up the glasses, verified they were the right ones, checked for damage, and headed back to find Betty. Betty and I spotted each other about the same time, and I held up the glasses. She and Annie, the mother of the girl that lost the glasses, both came running towards me. Both were very excited and called Kamila to come down from the hotel and get her glasses. While we were waiting, I found out they were on vacation from Illinois and were originally from Poland. I didn’t learn the relationship between Betty, Annie, and Kamila, but it didn’t matter. Once Kamila showed up, she identified the glasses and checked them for damage, everything was okay. Found out from Annie that she had called her husband who was going to overnight a spare set of glasses the next day.

Kamila, so happy I was able to help get your glasses back where they belong.

Jim

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Lady’s 14K White Gold Engagement Ring Lost at Ocean Isle Beach NC, Found and Returned

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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When I woke up on Tuesday, May 8th, I noticed I had a 6:30 a.m. missed call with a voice mail from Michigan. Robert, who had left the message, stated he had found me through The Ring Finders website and was wondering about the details in finding a lost ring. He also said his wife’s engagement ring was lost in my area. When I called him back, we discussed the details of the search. He stated that his mother-in-law had lost his wife’s engagement ring, probably had it on her little finger and it slipped off. One of his questions concerned this being a scam, I assured him everything was on the up and up and gave him a short version of my history. The conversation seemed to put his mind at ease and he gave me the description of the lost ring and the general location. Shortly after, I was on my way to Ocean Isle Beach.

During the forty minute drive, Robert sent me pictures of the rental house they stayed in, the beach access where they entered the beach, and the search area. Actually, there were two search areas, one possible area, and inside that area was a probable area. It looked like this might be a pretty big search, everything considered. I texted him about 10:35 a.m. telling him I was there, and I’d let him know when I found it. I also asked him when her ring was lost and he responded saying either the 1st or 2nd of May.

A couple of things I’ve learned while beach hunting and watching people, one  – they don’t venture to far right or left from where they came onto the beach, and two – they “usually” veer to their right to find their spot. So, I grabbed my PI detector and went straight from the stair access to the mid-tide line, dragging my scoop behind me leaving a line in the sand. The PI was going crazy with all the trash in the sand making this search very time consuming. Luckily, I had brought my AT Pro and hiked back to the car to retrieve it. I was alternating my search grid from the left and right of my center line when I noticed two ladies walking out on the beach. True to form, they were veering to the right of the stairs and started setting up their chairs and stuff right where I needed to search. I nicely told them what I was doing and asked if they would mind setting up about 10 feet left in an area I had already searched. They didn’t seem happy but they moved, thank goodness. Two more passes on the right of my center line, and just about where the ladies would have been sitting, I got a strong signal with a 51 on the screen, exactly what I expected for a small lady’s white gold ring. I looked down at the sand as I waved the detector back over the spot, and actually saw the top third of the ring sticking out of the sand. BOOM!!! I had her ring.

At 12:55 p.m. I texted Robert a picture of the ring, asking “Look familiar?!?!  and then called him. When he answered his phone, I asked him if he got my text, he said he had but hadn’t looked at it yet. I told him he needed to look at the text. I heard him gasp, and he said something like “oh my goodness, I can’t believe you found it.” Before we hung up, we worked out the details to try and get the ring back to him, in Michigan, by Mother’s Day so he could surprise his wife, Abbey. Unfortunately, the ring didn’t make it back in time, but Robert had a backup plan. For Mother’s Day, he had her open 4 boxes inside one another, each box contained a picture. The first box had a picture of my book, “Teardrops in the Tides; The Journeys of a Ring Finder.” The second box had a picture of the search area. The third box was a picture of my scoop in the sand where I found her ring, and the forth box had a picture of her ring. Robert shared with me that Abbey was so happy she cried.

Robert, thank you for trusting in me to help find Abbey’s ring.

The smile on Abbey’s face says it all, how can it get it better. Robert also sent Abbey’s Mother’s Day surprise!!!

Jim

 

  

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Man’s Wedding Band Lost in the Ocean at Ocean Isle Beach NC, Found 3 months later and Returned

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I had originally received an e-mail from Katy L. on Sept 23rd telling me her husband had lost his wedding band while body surfing on Sept 15th. They were back home in Tennessee after a family vacation on the beach when the accident happened. We exchanged quite a few e-mails back and forth, one being a very special and extremely sentimental picture and story from Katy. After reading the story and seeing the picture my heart melted and I was determined I would give it my all to find this ring. I got to the beach and conditions were horrible, the waves were big and crashing on the beach. I waded out and was getting hammered by the waves when I got a good signal (which was not the ring). In the process of trying to dig the target I literally got picked up by a wave and slammed down in the water causing me to try and catch myself and ended up breaking the arm cuff to my detector. Anybody that metal detects knows how difficult it can be in rough seas without an arm cuff. So basically I was without a machine for the surf and called my son-in-law, Donnie and asked for his help. When he showed up he did the surf, getting knocked around and I did the wet sand with no luck.

A few days later, still without an arm cuff for my machine, I borrowed a detector from Matt Fry, TRF Myrtle Beach to give it another shot. When I got to the beach the conditions were just as bad as the first try. Again I waded out in the waves, getting pounded as I went. At some point I again got lifted up by a wave and slammed down. This time I tried to brace myself but buried Matt’s coil into the sand and ended up breaking the shaft holding the coil. Ok this was not turning out to be an easy recovery but I got both machines fixed and was ready to go.

Meanwhile, we had been getting some big hurricanes and storms off the coast that was driving tons of sand up on the beach. From the details I got from Katy on where her husband lost his ring, I knew it was there but getting buried deeper by all the sand. I was bound and determined I was going to find this ring so I kept going back hoping for better conditions and less sand.

After at least 7 trips by me and a couple from Donnie, today (Dec 18th) was the day. When I got to the beach at low tide I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Calmer seas (at least for this beach), at least a foot to a foot and a half of sand off the beach and a big cut in the sand. I started a north/south grid search from low tide out to about thigh deep, the water was cold!!!! Worked my way up the beach and started an east/west grid. Probably about 7 grid lines and I got a so-so hit on my White’s Dual Field PI that I dug. The target was down a good 12-15 inches and when I pulled it out of the hole I thought I had a bottle cap because it was covered in sand. I shook the scoop and bingo there was the lost ring. I knew in an instant I had the right one. I just stood there in awe, 3 months and 3 days, 8th trip and I had it. Even I couldn’t comprehend this one.

I flew home to check the picture Katy had sent me and I had her husband’s ring in my hand. I called Katy and reintroduced myself and said I’ve got 2 questions. First, what is your husband’s name and secondly what’s the address to mail his ring back to him. She lost it, made me lose it and neither one of us could talk. Then we had a true serendipity moment, her and her family were just finishing up with an early Christmas, opening presents, etc. when I called. She put me on speaker phone and I think everyone there was in shock. She also informed me a little later that on Dec 28th her and her husband, Will will be celebrating their 4th Wedding Anniversary. The timing on finding their ring, calling at the moment I did and getting their ring back to them before both Christmas and their Anniversary couldn’t have been better. This is exactly the reason I’m a member of The Ring Finders, it does NOT get any better than this!

Will and Katy – Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary, hope you have many many more of both!!!

Katy, thank you for contacting me and trusting in me to help find your lost treasure. I wish you and Will all the best.

Katy gave me permission to post this very special picture.

Jim

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Man’s 14K Wedding Band Lost, Recovered and Returned Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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Got a call this morning from Jimmy asking if I could help find his lost wedding band. His wife Crystal had googled “Lost Ring Ocean Isle” and up popped The Ring Finders website which lead to finding me. Jimmy told me he and his family were on vacation from Virginia. He went on to say that he lost the ring in about thigh high water yesterday while throwing a ball back and forth with his son Caleb. We agreed to meet in about an hour and I was on my way.

When I got to the beach Jimmy, Crystal and Caleb met me at the beach access. On the way out to the beach I got a few more details and then Caleb walked us out to the area his dad was at when the ring slipped off his finger. The big question was whether Jimmy was right or left handed and did the ring slip off his finger or get slung off as he threw the ball. Luckily he’s right handed so it made for an easier search. I did a north/south grid line at the low tide line first knowing it probably wasn’t there but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity just in case. I then moved up the beach at the high tide line because people were starting to show up and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity either. After a few search lines I moved to an east/west search grid and after about 5 or 6 lines I hit it. Jimmy’s son was close and saw me hold up my hand towards Jimmy and came running over. He checked the inscription to confirm it was his dad’s ring and we had a match.

Jimmy was extremely happy he had his ring back to continue the 24 year story it held. Hugs and handshakes all around.

Jimmy and Crystal thank you so much for trusting in me to help find your lost treasure. Caleb, thank you buddy for putting me in the right area and best of luck on your new career, I think you’re going to do great!! Enjoy the rest of your vacation and have a safe trip home.

Jim

   

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Man’s 14K Gold Wedding Band Lost, Recovered and Returned on Ocean Isle Beach NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got an e-mail from Kim asking if I could help find her husband Trevor’s lost wedding band during low tide. I responded saying that there shouldn’t be a problem and we agreed to meet at 7:30pm. During the 35 minute drive, I noticed a nasty storm brewing and moving my way quickly. I met Kim and as we’re walking to the beach she told me what happened. She said her husband had lost his ring the day before while wave surfing with the kids. They had been out later that afternoon and searched with no luck and her husband didn’t want to waste anymore vacation time looking for what he thought was gone for good. She had (discreetly) looked on the internet and found me though TheRingFinders directory and decided to contact me for help.

We walked out on the beach to an area in the wet sand marked on 4 corners with a big X . I’m watching the storm move closer, with big lightning strikes off in the distance, so I started my grid search.  I wasn’t finding anything between the X’s so she told me that the ring could be a little outside of the X’s that she had previously marked. I expanded the grid and on my third row I hit a good solid 59-60 on my AT PRO. It took me 3 scoops to get the ring out of the hole. I dumped the sand on the beach, spread it out with my foot and saw a small glimmer of gold. I reached down and picked it up, blew the sand off the ring and turned around to give it to her. She was overwhelmed with joy and a few tears were shed, which gets me every time! I got a huge hug just as her husband and 3 kids were walking onto the beach. I think she had just texted him that we found his ring. He was extremely happy as well. It just doesn’t get any better than this and this is what it’s all about.

Kim and Trevor thank you for everything including trusting me to find your lost treasure. Enjoy the rest of your vacation and have a very safe trip home.

Jim

  

Thank you for reading my blog.

 

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

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I received a late night email from Kristina on May 2nd telling me she had lost her wedding band on the beach at Ocean Isle during spring break (Apr 12th). She said if I thought it was worth it she could email me a map with the exact spot and to let her know if I was interested in helping. It was after midnight when I responded telling her that it was always worth it to at least take a shot at looking. I also included some questions in my response like where on the beach, what day, etc.

When I woke up the next morning I checked my emails and I had her response to my questions and that she’d send me a map a little later that morning. I got her map around 9am that had a satellite view of the beach with a little red dot marking the spot she lost it so I hit the road. Got to the beach, found the vicinity of the red dot on the beach and started a north/south grid in the dry sand. I think it was the 5th line when I got a good solid hit, dug and shook a scoop of sand and there was her little gold wedding band bout a size 5-6. She had also given me an inscription on the inside of the ring which I confirmed and we had a match. I sent her an email from my phone with a picture saying “Bingo” and she immediately called me. I could tell by her voice she was overwhelmed about getting her ring back. Got her treasure in the mail and it’s expected to arrive by Friday.

Wanted to wait until today (Friday) to post this so I could get a picture with her big smile.

Kristina – thank you so much for trusting in me to help find your ring and get it getting it back to where it belongs.

Jim

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Man’s 14K White Gold Wedding Band Lost – Found and Returned Ocean Isle Beach, NC

  • from North Myrtle Beach (South Carolina, United States)
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I got a call just before 3pm from Katie, here on vacation with her husband, James and their two sons from NY.  Katie asked if I could help find James’ wedding band that he lost in the soft sand at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. I asked a few of the normal questions and was on my way.

I got there in about 30 minutes and met James and Katie as they were walking out on the beach. They showed me the area and I started my grid search. On the third pass I got a great tone, looked up at them and gave them a big smile and dug a scoop. After spreading out the soft sand a couple of times I finally eyeballed the ring, picked it up and handed it to James, who was very happy he had his treasure back.

Thank you Katie and James for trusting in me to help find your lost ring and the generous gift. Have a great rest of your vacation and a safe trip back home.

Jim

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