The Ring Finders Blog

Diamond Ring Found Underwater by Rob Ellis and Ray Jones, Lake Anna, Virginia

  • from Fairfax (Virginia, United States)

Rob and Christina Smiles!

Christina asked my help to find her lost engagement ring. While staying at a rental house on Lake Anna, she was with her sister in waist deep water and thought she felt the ring slip off her finger. Everyone at the house searched for the ring before she called me.

Christina’s beautiful diamond ring

She obtained the property manager’s permission to search, so I loaded up my SCUBA gear and made the hour and 45-minute drive to the site. Christina walked into the waist-deep, cool water, demonstrating how she thought her ring came off her finger. I carefully searched the area using jack stays and my circular search device. After a thorough hunt, I asked Christine if her ring could have slipped off somewhere else. She showed me where she had jumped off the dock and swam over to the beach.  After 4 and 1/2 hours, I was cold, exhausted, and disappointed. But I was not ready to give up!

Search Area, Lake Anna, VA

I explained to Christina that I would return. I obtained permission from the rental manager and was back in the water in 4 days. I invited my friend Ray Jones to join me. Ray and I often team up, especially for water searches. Ray had decided to search in the shallow water using my Equinox 800.

I had just set up my search pattern near the dock when I heard Ray exclaim, he found Christina’s ring. He had started his search straight from the beach to where Christina thought she lost the ring. As he was walking in about 12 inches of water, he started using the detector. Surprisingly he heard a signal in the correct target tone on the third swing of the coil!

Ray Jones Saved the Day!!

Ray and I met a couple of the neighbors, and one gave up permission to search in the private community dock area. We found some change, fishing rods, and a $10 bill! It was another great day with my friend Ray!

Christina and I met so I could return her beautiful engagement ring. Metal detecting underwater is a big investment in time and resources. After our combined thirteen hours of driving, SCUBA gear maintenance, use of high-quality metal detectors, and five hours search time, it doesn’t seem worth it. But, when I gave Christina her ring, the look on her face was priceless!!

The “priceless” look!

 

Rob Ellis: Metal Detector Expert… Call/text ASAP, (703)-598-1435

For my metal detecting friends, here are the target identification numbers on the 3.5 gram, 14k gold diamond engagement ring: Deus 2=59, Equinox 900=25, Equinox 800=12

 

 

 

(20+) Robert Ellis | Facebook

 

Don’t give up. Many of my clients have bought, borrowed, or rented a metal detector before calling me. Just because someone has a tool, it doesn’t mean they know how to use it. I use state-of-the-art equipment, and I have thousands of hours of experience searching on land and underwater. If you have tried using a detector without success, please text/call to see if I can help.

Lost Cross Recovered in Surf City LBI NJ Ring Find Edward Trapper finds jewelry in sand

  • from Lavallette (New Jersey, United States)

Lost Cross recovered in Surf City New Jersey LBI

Lost Cross Recovered in Surf City LBI – NJ Ring Finder Edward Trapper Finds Jewelry in Sand

Erin reached out to me hoping I could help locate a deeply sentimental family heirloom: a cross necklace her son Wyatt had lost in the sand four days earlier during a school field day in Surf City, Long Beach Island. The cross was more than just a piece of jewelry—it had been passed down from Erin’s mother to her brother 25 years ago, kept safely in a box for decades, and recently gifted to Wyatt for his 15th birthday.

We discussed the details of the loss, and I assured her that since it wasn’t a heavily trafficked part of the beach, there was still a good chance of recovery—even after several days. Although it was Mother’s Day weekend and I had prior plans, we arranged for me to begin the search at 5:30 a.m. on Mother’s Day morning.

To help pinpoint the location, I asked Erin and Wyatt to drop a pin on Google Maps. That way, I could get started without needing them to meet me at the beach so early.

I thoroughly covered the area—about a half block long—including the path where Wyatt entered and exited the beach. Despite several passes and even checking the dune walkway, I came up empty. I noticed that the beach rake had been through the area a few times, so I decided to expand my search a bit further to the south and east.

About 20 feet east of the original location, I heard a sweet signal—the kind you just know is something special. Sure enough, there it was: the lost cross.

Just then, I saw a message from Erin asking if she should head to the beach. I hadn’t told her yet that I found it. When she arrived, we talked about the search, and I told her, “This would make a pretty great Mother’s Day gift if I can find it.” Then I reached into my pocket and held out the cross.

She was in total shock.

She explained how meaningful this cross was to their family—it had connected three generations, and now it was safely back where it belonged.

This was one of those moments that remind me why I love doing what I do. What better way to start Mother’s Day than by returning a priceless heirloom to a grateful family?

If you’ve lost a ring, necklace, or any other item on the beach or in the water, don’t wait—call or text Edward Trapper, the NJ Ring Finder, at 609-713-3926. I cover all of Long Beach Island, Monmouth County, Ocean County, and beyond.

Follow me on Facebook for more heartwarming recoveries: NJ Ring Finder on Facebook
Visit my website to learn more: NJRingFinder.com

LOST 24k WEDDING RING IN MORRISVILLE, NC…..FOUND!!!

  • from Raleigh (North Carolina, United States)

Received a call that a young man had lost his 24k wedding ring while playing volleyball. They thought he lost it in the sand. I jumped in the truck and made the almost 2 hour drive.

I get there, get the story and begin my search. I searched the entire volleyball sand pit area 3-4 times and wasn’t coming up with the ring. One of the ladies had a 24k gold and it rang up a 91. I couldn’t believe it rang up that high until I found his ring.

I expanded my search area. After about an hour to hour and a half I went near the grass edge to the higher grass area in the direction of the water and I get a 94 signal! I look down and I can see a gold ring! Apprenatly the ring had bounced off the ball and went to his right about 10-15 feet!!

Another recovery in the books! This one was my 100th ring recovery since joining “The Ring Finders!”

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Total ring recoveries since joining “The Ring Finders” 100 total!

Ring count for 2026: 6 (6 – recoveries)

GOLD – 6 (6 – recoveries)

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Heavy Gold Bracelet Lost on College Campus in Nashville TN Found With a Metal Detector

  • from Nashville (Tennessee, United States)

On March 22nd I received what I would consider a frantic phone call from a young college student named Zorawar regarding a lost gold bracelet. He explained that he was playing baseball in a grassy courtyard area on his college campus when he lost his solid gold bracelet. He had placed it in his shorts pocket so it wouldn’t fly off his wrist as he was throwing the baseball. At some point, the bracelet fell out of his pocket.

He did what many of my clients have done, went and bought a cheap metal detector and began searching on his own. While he was swinging the metal detector, he had several of his close friends walking all over the grassy area looking for his bracelet. As time passed without the bracelet being found, he did an internet search which lead him to me.

Zorawar sent me a pin with his location and I met with him about thirty minutes after his initial call. I knew time was against us since the college campus is flooded with students and non-students, and realistically there could be someone who would find it and keep it for themselves. I powered up my XP Deus 2 metal detector and began a systematic grid search of the area, even going beyond the boundaries that Zorawar suggested.

After about thirty minutes of searching with my metal detector, it was my eyes that located the gold bracelet.

Understandably, Zorawar was frantic after he lost the bracelet and his mind was going 100 miles per hour. There were very few patches of thick grass that could have concealed the bracelet. All that was needed was a slow, methodical and systematic grid search, and the end result is a very happy and thankful young man. The bracelet has religious significance and Zorawar has worn it every day for the last eight years. Now he gets to keep that routine going. It was truly a great day for both of us.

Lost Silver Ring Found at Huntington State Beach while Metal Detecting

  • from Newport Beach (California, United States)

 

Metal Detector Man finds lost rings and other metal items lost at beaches, parks, yards or any place where a metal detector can be used .. call or text Stan at 949-500-2136


*** I was metal detecting at Huntington State Beach when I was approached by Cindy. She had dropped her silver ring in the sand and wanted to know if I could help her find it.

The loss happened just minutes before she saw me on the beach. These are the most successful types of searches. I was able to find Cindy’s ring minutes after scanning the area where she marked a circle in the sand.

Wedding ring lost in an Oregon yard, found using a metal detector

  • from Oregon City (Oregon, United States)




Received a text earlier this week from Rob, informing me he had lost his platinum wedding ring in his friend’s yard in Molalla, Oregon. He had searched for it, crawling through the grass, and used a metal detector, but came up empty.

We were able to meet on the property the following Saturday. When I arrived, Rob was already out searching, but he walked me through his activities the night the ring was lost, and where he had been in the yard. He strongly believed he had lost the ring in a section of the yard near a pathway where he had given his buddy an enthusiastic “bro-hug” as they walked through the area. He also walked me through all the areas on the property he had been in that evening. He was sure the only thing he had done that evening out of the ordinary was his hug.

I decided to start searching the area along the left side of the pathway, considering the left hand is where you wear a wedding ring. My grid search found the area had lots of scrap aluminum, and some miscellaneous iron targets. Did pull out a nickel and a few bottle caps. I could also see Rob was searching around other places in the yard by hand.

Before leaving the area I was searching, I moved into the left side of the pathway. Great signal turned out to be a sprinkler head.  Than some foil. A few feet later I hit a scratchy sound, but VDI numbers on the Manticore that were perfect. Sweeping the other direction, the sound was still questionable, but the VDI and depth seemed perfect. Reaching down and moving the 3 inches of wet grass, I could see the ring 💍.

I went looking for Rob, who was in a lower section of the yard searching. I asked him to come up so I could show him the issues that had complicated the search. I ran the detector over a few targets, expelling they didn’t sound right, or were too deep. I then went over the spot where his ring was and told him that was it.
He dug through the thick wet grass and pulled out his ring.

Rob was super happy to have his wedding ring of 17 years back on his finger.

Lost wedding ring recovered Sioux City Iowa

  • from Lincoln (Nebraska, United States)

Contact me for all your metal detecting and recovery needs. Rob 402-580-6933. Land, water, cracks in concrete, rings, keys, hearing aids, phones, buried cache, etc. Assisting law enforcement. Serving Lincoln and the greater Nebraska area. Why rent a metal detector when you can have the best.

Daniel had lost his wedding ring of 11 years. He thought it might have come off while out with the dogs in the cold weather. He purchased a metal detector and gave it his best shot for hours. After no success he turned to the internet and found me. We chatted back and forth, trying to give some pointers on using a metal detector.  After a few more days we agreed that I should come take a look. Alot of times rings aren’t found where we think they should be. After I got the signal on the other side of the yard, I had him bring out his detector and recover his ring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family friend looses silver skull ring and we recover it!

  • from Walnut Creek (California, United States)

The Bay Area Ring Finders Brendon Chapman… Metal Detecting Service/Call ASAP     925-580-2590

It was St. Patrick’s Day and I had just finished smoking a corned beef for several hours and was finishing up cooking sides for our dinner.  The phone rang; a family friend we met through our community scouting pack.  Sarah explains that her son wore his fathers silver skull ring to baseball practice at the downtown Waterfront Park and at the end of practice it was missing.

I let her know that I would make the five minute drive to the park as soon as our dinner was finished. When I arrived, I was overwelled by the size of the grassy area of the outfield.  Sarah informed me that Odin had pitched and played first base, all areas that did not include grass.  He did however, walk to the warm up mound at the rear of the outfield and so we began our search there.  As the field lights when out our task got just that much harder, but it wouldn’t take long searching the grass between the dugout and the right field fence that we would “Make the Recovery!”

This would mark the very first recovery I performed in my home town of Martinez, CA and I was happy that I got to perform this service for a family that we know and enjoy.  Thank you Sarah, Odin, Amon, and Freya for your friendship.

The Bay Area Ring Finders Brendon Chapman… Metal Detecting Service/Call ASAP     925-580-2590

Vacation Memories Saved by Metal Detector Expert Finding Gold Jewelry at Laguna Beach, CA.

  • from Newport Beach (California, United States)

Metal Detecting Expert available to help you find your lost item in the sand, grass or garden.. Call Stan the Metal Detector Man.. Call or text for prompt service.. 949-500-2136


*** Sarah and Joe were vacationing at Laguna Beach from New York. She lost a gold nail design bracelet during a walk on the sandy beach. It made their stay a little upsetting as this was Sarah’s favorite bracelet.

The day after the loss she contacted me from the airport while waiting to board their flight home. Sarah was able to send me a marked up screen shot of the area where she believed the loss occurred. I was able tell her what chances we have to find the item. On public beaches our chances of successful recoveries  can be compromised by other detectors or beach sifting machines. Most times I can eliminate an area, especially sandy beaches.

This was one of those miracle finds. Such a large target could have been easily found by the cleaning machines or a tourist picking up sea shells. The bracelet was exactly where she  marked up the Google map screen shot. Usually these type recoveries are never where they think they are. It doesn’t take long to eliminate a specific area. This time it was worth the drive and a 20 minute grid search.

I was able to mail the bracelet back to Sarah and Joe. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a photo of them smiling, so  I’m including a selfie of me.

Lost Men’s 24k Gold Ring recovered, Granger, Indiana

  • from Granger (Indiana, United States)

Lost while doing Spring yard clean-up. Unknown loss location, other than “somewhere in yard”. Potentially flung off when tossing sticks out into brush piles.
55 minutes to recovery, found in leaves near second brush pile search area. 24k gold band, worn for 30 years. Found with Nokta Legend 2 detector.