Joe Au-Franz, Author at The Ring Finders

Lost Gold Claddagh Wedding Band at Castle Beach Kailua…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began late last night when I got a text from Matthew from Kailua.  Since the yellow Gold Claddagh Wedding Ring was in the dry sand I called Matthew in order to meet up first thing the next morning as that beach gets detected heavily.  We agreed to meet at Matthew’s home then put the gear in his vehicle so parking wouldn’t be an issue.  Matthew told me he had put his ring in his shirt pocket so he wouldn’t lose it in the water swimming.  He didn’t notice it missing until he arrived home and realized it had fallen out of the pocket.  When we arrived on the scene, Matthew drew a grid for me in the sand to hunt.  Turned on the Manticore, noise cancelled, then started the hunt.  First target “BOOM”  Matthew’s ring.  Elapsed time 15 seconds.  Aloha to Matthew and his son Thomas.

Tags:
Category:

Lost Gold Nugget Ring at Nimitz Beach Kalaeloa…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began when I got a text from Leila asking, ” I was wondering if you could help me out.  I lost my ring at the beach today and need a metal detector to find it.  I’m pretty sure the one we bought was cheaply made and need someone with experience too.  The ring was passed down to me and I feel devastated that it’s lost.  I’m located in the Kapolei area and lost it in the sand last night.”  I called Leila and I told her I would have to see what traffic was like and I would try to grab my gear and head out during lunch.  Thankfully,  traffic was a breeze and I got to Nimitz Beach in record time.  Leila & her sister Jade were two minutes behind me.  When we got to the search area Jade drew a box in the sand where they thought the ring may have fallen out of a beach bag Leila’s boyfriend Jah was attending to.  It only took 5 minutes but no ring.  Only a few lead weights and two quarters.  I asked Leila and Jade where else did Jah go so we can trace his path.  It was down the beach in both directions.  I hunted the westerly direction first as it was the shortest distance.  No ring!  I then went in the easterly direction.  Thankfully not much trash.  Suddenly about 20 yards from the original search area I got a booming tone on the Manticore.  In one scoop a chunky Gold Nugget ring appeared.  Jade wasn’t sure about the ring so we called Leila who had taken her baby back to the car.  Jade sent her a pic and she confirmed it was the Gold Nugget ring she lost.  We met halfway,  near a picnic area for the return.  Leila was obviously relieved and Jah was out of the dog house!  Aloha to Leila, Jade & Jah!

 

Tags:
Category:

Lost Platinum Wedding Band at Aulani Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began August 8th, when I got a call from Joel who was on vacation from Venice, California and staying at the Aulani Resort.  While walking in shoulder deep water Joel’s Platinum Wedding Band came off and disappeared into the sand.  Since I’m only 5’7″ and he’s 6’3′ I told him it would require scuba.  I just had shoulder surgery and the doc hadn’t given me permission to scuba yet.  Then when I got permission the waters of the lagoon were so murky we had to wait even longer.  Finally, on Sunday, 24 August the conditions came together and I was able to dive.  Joel had provided me a photo earlier of the approximate location and I used that to create my underwater grid using my red-orange neoprene rope as a guide.  After about 30 minutes hunting I got a nice tone on the Manticore and I fanned my hand over the spot.  Suddenly, jackpot Joel’s Platinum Band exposed itself.  I ended the dive and went ashore to send Joel a pic of the recovered ring.  He received the ring in the mail and sent me a pic with a “Shaka”.  Aloha to Joel!

 

Tags:
Category:

Lost Yellow Gold Sentimental Hawaiian Style Ring at Ulua Lagoon Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began when I got text from Rocky who is a Security Officer at 4 Seasons.  His daughter, Avhenlee, had lost his Sister in Law’s Gold Sentimental Hawaiian ring in Ulua Lagoon and he wanted to know my availability.  While we were talking his daughter had been texting me info about the lost ring.  I gave her a call and told her I would hunt first thing in the morning on the low tide.  The next morning after finishing a successful recovery at 4 Seasons, I headed to Ulua Lagoon.  I matched up the pics Avhenlee sent me and started the grid search.  On about the sixth leg I got a nice tone on the Manticore in about chest deep water.  After two scoops the Shiny Gold Hawaiian ring was in the scoop.  I went and cleaned up then called Avhenlee and told her the good news.  She just so happened to be dropping her father off at Aulani in a few minutes so we met there for the return.  When she arrived her bright smile was from ear to ear.  A hug & prayer was all that was needed then.  Aloha to Avhenlee!

Tags:
Category:

Lost Yellow Gold Cartier Love Ring at 4 Seasons Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This Ring Find began when I got a call from 4 Seasons Front Desk, asking if I could find a guests “Expensive Ring” in the Lagoon.  I said “Of Course” and feel free to give them my number.  The resort gave me Joe’s number who was from Napa Valley, California and on vacation,  staying at the 4 Seasons resort.  I called Joe and he informed me his son had lost his Yellow Gold Cartier Love Ring in shallow water of the lagoon.  I asked if he could meet me at the next day’s morning low tide and he agreed.  When I arrived Joe was already on the beach waiting.  He marked off the grid lines and I began my search.  I found two silver earrings and a nice silver anchor pendant.  Then about 15 minutes into the hunt I got a nice low tone on the Manticore and in one scoop there was his son’s Cartier ring in the scoop.  By a stroke of luck Joe had just started filming me when the recovery occurred.  Son’s vacation saved!  Aloha to Joe for assisting!

Tags:
Category:

Lost Titanium Wedding Band at Aulani Beach Ko Olina Resort…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began as I was on my way home from Ko Olina and got a call from Brendon’s father, telling me his son had lost his Wedding Ring in shallow water at Aulani Beach.  They were on vacation from Connecticut and staying at the Aulani Resort.  I told him I would turn around and come back to recover the ring as I was only 15 minutes out.  When I arrived, I called and Brendon & his Mom & Dad said they would meet me on the beach, to show me the area to hunt.  It was a high tide and the lagoons are a bit rough this weekend.  I entered the water and started my grid search with the Manticore.  On about the fifth leg I got a nice loud tone and in one scoop there was a ring in the scoop.  I was thinking it would be silver so I yelled ashore, “Is it black?”  The response was a thrilling, “YES!”  Brendon was just recently married so the lost wedding ring conversation became unnecessary and the vacation was saved.  Aloha to Brendon and his family!

 

Tags:
Category:

Lost Gold & Diamonds Wedding Band in a Field near Kai Beach Ford Island…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began Wednesday, when I got a text from Marion, who was helping her friend Betty who lost an identical Wedding Band that had slipped out of her PT shorts pocket while doing her Physical Readiness Test.  During their hunt, Marion used her band as a prop to get the proper visual and when she got distracted for a moment, her ring was lost in what she called, “The crunch field of despair.” They both hunted the field for two days with no luck.  Schedules were chaotic, however, we agreed to meet up at lunch today.  When I arrived, Marion was already there searching the field.  We laid out a search area and I went to work gridding.  Thankfully, over the last two days, Marion and Betty cleaned up much of the shiny metal that had littered the field.  The grass was dry and short so just looking down most targets could be seen.  Finally,  after about 15 minutes I got a nice solid and tight #28 on the Manticore.  I bent down and as I moved a tuft of grass Marion’s shiny wedding band came into view.  I yelled over to her and she rushed over to see it for herself.  We noticed it was actually nearly dead center in the box.  We searched for Betty’s ring in the field but it wasn’t found.  There is still much more area to cover especially a jogging path as Betty doesn’t know when the ring actually fell out of her pocket.  One down, one to go.  Praying!  Aloha to Marion and hopefully soon to Betty.

Tags:
Category:

Lost White Gold Cartier Love Ring at Four Seasons Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began when I got a voicemail last night from Ronnie who was on vacation from Vallejo, California and staying at the Four Seasons Resort at Ko Olina.  While enjoying the cool water of the lagoon at some point his recently purchased White Gold Cartier Love Ring came off and he only noticed when he got back to his room.  He tried looking for it but the waters were stirred up and impossible to see.  Four Seasons Security convinced him I would come out and hunt the ring for him as he had been a bit hesitant at first.  I immediately called Ronnie and agreed to come out after work the next afternoon.  Ronnie gave me all the details I needed to start the hunt.  The tide and surf was up but I was in the most protected area off the lagoon so the hunt was relatively easy.  I found a few foil targets then on about the 7th leg of my grid I got a booming tone on the Manticore.  Surprisingly,  it took three scoops to recover the ring in belly depth water.  I went back to my car and texted Ronnie a pic of his ring then followed up with a call.  We met down buy the beach attendants booth for the return.  A few handshakes and hugs and Ronnie was so relieved his vacation was saved.  Aloha to Ronnie!

Tags:
Category:

Lost Platinum & Diamonds Engagement Ring at Kailua Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began when I got a text from Pansa who lives in Kaimuki near me on Oahu.  Her text said, “Aloha, I just lost a ring at Kailua beach.  Would you be able to search for it?”  I asked if it was in the sand or water?  She said, “It would have been in the sand but the tide came up by the time I got back.”  Kailua tide surges are known to swallow rings.  It was getting dark so I told Pansa I would go at first light in the morning and if she could meet me there it would help.  Unfortunately, she had prior commitments so she sent me detailed pics as to where she was when the ring went missing.  It was in her shorts and towel and must have fallen out when she picked them up.  When I arrived the next morning I called Pansa to confirm the location which was spot on.  She said she was at the high tide mark where the sand had about a six inch cut.  My fear was the overnight high tide might have consumed the ring.  I started my hunt and worked the high tide cut.  About three minutes into the hunt I finally got a nice target and low and behold,  it was Pansa’s gorgeous ring in the scoop.  Thank you Jesus!  This doesn’t happen very often.  I texted Pansa a pic and gave her a call to confirm.  We agreed, since we were practically neighbors, she would swing by this evening for the return.  A smile & a hug!  Aloha to Pansa!

Tags:
Category:

Lost Gold & Diamonds Sentimental Ring at Magic island Beach…FOUND!!!

  • from O‘ahu (Hawaii, United States)
Contact:

This ring find began when I got a text at work asking if I could find a ring at the waters edge at Magic Island beach.  I called the number and AJ from the San Francisco area and on vacation on Oahu answered.  I told him I would leave work early and head over since it wasn’t in deep water.  In fact, it was supposed to be ankle deep.  As I was enroute I got a call from our fellow ring finder Kai saying he was on the freeway as AJ had called him too.  Kai was kind enough to give the hunt to me as I was near the access to Magic Island.  When I arrived I met AJ on the beach and he showed me where in the water the ring should be.  I hunted and expanded the grid search out in every direction.  No ring.  I had to leave for a PT session for my shoulder and told AJ I’d see about coming back or getting someone else.  My PT session went rather quickly so when I finished I went back to rehunt and expand the grid further.  I went out further and up the slope into the dry sand.  It paid off.  Up in the dry sand I got a booming #49 on the Manticore and on the second scoop there was AJ’s sentimental ring from his Father in the scoop.  I called AJ and he was at the Hilton Hawaiian Village pool next beach over so he decided to walk over and retrieve the special ring.  A few hugs and handshakes later AJ said his vacation was now saved.  Aloha to AJ!

Tags:
Category: