John Silling

Cost For My Service

I work on a ''Reward Basis'' that means you pay what it's worth to you and what you can afford, for me to come out and find your lost item. If traveling more than 10 miles, I do ask that you help cover the cost of gas to get to your location.

Search Types

Beaches, farmland, parks, old home sites, right of way. Both residential and commercial properties, basically any land/grass, sand, dirt or shallow water where something is lost.

Search Locations

Saint John's County/Saint Augustine west to Hastings/Palatka and surrounding areas.

John Silling's Bio

Being retired, I am available just about any time to help with finding lost things (rings, watches, keys, etc.) at the beach, lakes, parks, farmland, anywhere there is dirt, grass or sand. I also magnet fish so I can find dropped keys, tools or cellphones at boat docks and ramps.

I have been metal detecting for over 40 years; I purchased my first metal detector at age 17. I have found just about everything including the oldest license plate in Dade County, Florida which is on display at the Miami Museum of History. I enjoy finding historical relics and donating them to the local historical society. Growing up in Fort Lauderdale and driving along the beach, if I saw people running their fingers through the sand searching for something I would pull over, get my metal detector out and walk over to them.

The look was always one of relief as I approached, but the greatest emotions were when I found "the lost wedding ring", especially for a newlywed couple on their Honeymoon! I turned many a nightmare into the "greatest day of my life”,

I can only imagine how many went back to their hometowns with a great story to tell. It’s impossible to describe the feeling I get when I find something that the owner thought was gone for good. The emotions they display are true emotions of happiness and joy. I can only think of the good karma that has followed me through my life from finding things and returning them to the owner.

Items that I receive the most calls to help find include Jewelry (rings, necklaces, watches etc.), keys, coins, gold, silver, survey markers, cell phones, heirlooms, relics etc. Important to note especially in certain areas: Permission must be obtained to hunt for an item lost on private property, churches, state parks (city parks in Duval county), all school grounds, etc. **Within the city limits of Saint Augustine, due to historical and archaeological sensitivity, permission must be obtained from the city Archaeologist.

Normally permission is obtained by you from the authority in-charge and/or landowner, and the permission is assigned to me. People are typically very understanding (everyone has lost something) in these circumstances and permission is granted - there is "No sneaking on". Please contact me for more info on metal detecting services I can provide to help you.