Paul Humphreys, Author at The Ring Finders

A game of sand volleyball in the rain resulted in the loss of a platinum wedding ring. It happened on Sunday, September 21 when Sussex, Wisconsin resident, Mike Malzahn, was playing with friends at Kelly’s Bleachers sports bar in Wind Lake, half way between Muskego and Waterford. It’s a popular gathering spot with just all the right amenities for a good time, including three sand volleyball courts.

Mike’s ring fit well. In 19 years of marriage to Sarah, he rarely took it off his hand. This added to the shock he experienced when, after he got home, he realized the ring was missing. He immediately thought back to the volleyball court at Kelly’s Bleachers. A computer software developer by trade, Mike went into problem-solving mode. He was surprised to discover The Ring Finder’s database of metal-detecting specialists. Who knew it was a thing?

I received a text message from Mike that same evening and we arranged to meet at Kelly’s Bleachers the next morning. After viewing the area, I began searching the court where he had played, using a systematic grid search. It was obvious by the presence of coins and other metallic bits the court had not been searched by anyone else. This was an encouraging sign. But after thoroughly searching the entire area and beyond, Mike’s ring was nowhere to be found. Had someone already spotted and picked it up? The thought was troubling.

In the interest of being thorough, I decided to search the entire area again, this time sweeping my detector coil in the opposite direction. This is known among detectorists as cross-hatching. It helps to ensure no targets have been missed. Other than one deeper coin, my secondary search failed to located the ring, that is until I was almost finished covering the area.

As I approached a corner boundary marker, I noted the large stainless-steel ring used for securing the straps in place. These sounded off as non-ferrous. I dismissed the signal at once. But on this final search, I became aware of a smaller non-ferrous signal just a few inches away and underneath the strap. Imagine my surprise when, with a quick search with my pin-pointer (a handheld probe), Mike’s platinum wedding band showed itself!

I covered the ring in its place and called out to Mike under the pretense of demonstrating the handheld probe. After showing it to him it I invited Mike to personally experience its vibration and audio signal on the large ferrous ring that secured the boundary straps. I then told Mike about another target just a few inches away beneath the strap. It didn’t take long for Mike to discover his wedding ring! And the smile on his face tells the rest of the story.

Just how Mike’s ring ended up in the sand beneath the boundary strap will forever remain a mystery. Perhaps it was pushed under the strap by someone’s foot. Or, maybe it landed there on its trajectory after leaving Mike’s hand. Regardless how the ring ended up where it did, the ring’s hiding place was no match for technology and perseverance.

Thanks, Mike, for the opportunity to search for and locate your missing wedding ring. It’s more than a ring! May you and Sarah enjoy many, many more years together as the story of your ring continues.

This search demonstrates the importance of paying attention to details. I could have dismissed a secondary search. But in Mike’s case, it paid off.

If you or someone you know has lost a ring, on land or in water, recently or long ago, give me a call. I don’t find them all, but I do find most. And I’d love to add your smile to my growing list of over 135 very happy clients.

Long-time Richfield, Wisconsin resident, Kathryn Schowalter was enjoying a swim in her family’s country pond when a highly sentimental turquoise and silver ring went missing. Despite searching for a number of days, the ring evaded discovery.

Kathryn reached out to me by phone a few days later and we arranged an afternoon search on Thursday, September 18th. On arrival, I was greeted by Seamus and immediately fell in love with the larger-than-life and affectionate Irish Wolfhound. He was a constant shadow.

After Kathryn pointed out the areas where she had entered and exited the pond, I assembled my XP Deus 2 detector and prepared to search the pond’s bottom with scoop in hand. I fully expected to be there awhile; it was a large area.

Approaching the pond with Kathryn and Seamus at my side, I placed the detector’s coil into the water along the shore and made an initial test sweep. To my surprise I heard a distinct silver-tone just a few inches from the shore. Scooping out the target I shook out the sand and pebbles and then offered the scoop to Kathryn to retrieve whatever metallic object had created the signal. As her hand darted into the scoop, she exclaimed, “My ring!” And sure enough, the smile on Kathryn’s face tells the rest of the story.

It never ceases to amaze me how a missing ring can be found. It’s more than a ring. Just when you thought it was lost forever, technology, experience and kindness come along to give you hope. If you or someone you know has lost a ring, on land or in water, long ago or recent, give me a call. I don’t find them all, but I do find most. And I’d love to add your smile to my growing list of grateful clients.

It was the day before Valentines. A Wisconsin snowstorm found Milwaukee resident Tim Sobie, blowing snow from his driveway and sidewalk. That was when his unique cobalt wedding ring went missing. Despite his best search efforts Tim was forced to wait until the snow had thawed before resuming his search. Despite his best efforts, however, the ring was nowhere to be seen.

Three weeks later, on March 6th, I received a text message from Tim asking if I might assist. It was a long shot. A public sidewalk presented the troubling thought that a passerby may have found it already. But I could at least search the lawn and driveway areas just in case.

We met the next afternoon. Once on location and while reviewing Tim’s timeline of activities, Tim recalled his snowblower hitting a twig or something in front of his home. It was a logical place to begin searching. Using a sample cobalt ring, I was able to accurately calibrate my XP Deus 2 detector. The cobalt rang up in the high 50’s on the conductivity scale. Armed with this information I began searching the area where Tim had heard the mysterious twig sound.

Just a few swings into the search a clean, high 50’s-signal begged further investigation. Buried under some leaves and grass, Tim’s precious wedding ring appeared. And the smile on Tim’s face tells the rest of the story.

If you or someone you know has lost a ring, even long ago, chances are it might still be found. Don’t let the story of the ring end. Call today.