πŸ† HONORABLE MENTION Diamond Engagement Ring Recovered & Returned

Valley Ranger

Silver Member
Mar 24, 2011
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ring jr.jpg
Ok, so here's the story. I was contacted earlier in the summer by a couple about an engagement ring lost in the James River here in Virginia. They had been canoeing when the canoe flipped near a bridge abutment and Mrs. lost the ring. So I met them near the spot a few weeks ago and I spent 2 hours with my metal detector searching for the ring in waist deep water. Couldn't find it. Based on what they were telling me and a float test I did with fishing line and a small washer, I believed the ring was in the faster moving current and deeper water - a place it where was almost impossible to use a detector unless you were using scuba gear.

So I offered to contact a friend (Steve) who is an experienced diver and is always up for a treasure hunting adventure. My friend and I went back to the river a few days ago. We didn't get in the water 'til almost 7 and didn't have much daylight left.

As I stood on the abutment pointing to where I thought the ring was, Steve snorkled along the edge and base of the abutment. He'd been in the water about 45 seconds when he popped up with a diamond engagement ring in his hand and very nonchalantly asked, "Is this it?"

"Very funny" said I. "What?" Said Steve. I was in total disbelief.

"No way! You've got to be kidding me! You brought that with you to pull my leg!"

"No, I swear, it was laying right on the bottom in plain sight!"

Mission accomplished.

So I sent a photo of the ring to the husband who said he'd show it to his wife and call me back shortly to verify it was the lost ring. A few minutes later my phone rang and, on the other end, was a very emotional, sobbing, but very happy and grateful woman shouting, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

What an adventure.
 

TheRingFinder

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May 22, 2013
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Minnesota
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Yep - I think every ring returned is more a blessing for us (treasure hunters) then the actual owner........CONGRATS on a great recovery!!!!:notworthy:
 

Erik in NJ

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Oct 4, 2010
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Heart warming story! And you and your friend both deserve an Honorable Mention! :thumbsup:
 

thrifty76now

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Mar 18, 2009
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That is the kind of story I ;ike to read about .Your effort paid off with a happy ending.Good for you and your buddy.
 

jeff of pa

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Congrats to your friend Steve on the Find :thumbsup:

is he a Member here ?

If he is, He should tell the story from his end and earn an Honorable mention
 

kray

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Mar 21, 2010
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SW Ct. Formerly N Va.
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Great job; way to represent us diggers!
I'm wondering though, why the hubby had to verify the ring via the wife!
Didn't he buy the thing?!?!
 

OP
OP
Valley Ranger

Valley Ranger

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Mar 24, 2011
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Congrats to your friend Steve on the Find :thumbsup:

is he a Member here ?

If he is, He should tell the story from his end and earn an Honorable mention

No, he's not. He doesn't even own a detector (though I know that's not a requirement). We're going back on the river Saturday, I'll encourage him (again) to join. It was definitely a team effort. I had to eliminate all the places it WASN'T first!
 

OP
OP
Valley Ranger

Valley Ranger

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Mar 24, 2011
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Great job; way to represent us diggers!
I'm wondering though, why the hubby had to verify the ring via the wife!
Didn't he buy the thing?!?!

True, but he just wasn't 100% sure.
 

jeff of pa

Super Moderator
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No, he's not. He doesn't even own a detector (though I know that's not a requirement). We're going back on the river Saturday, I'll encourage him (again) to join. It was definitely a team effort. I had to eliminate all the places it WASN'T first!

I agree on the Team Effort.

Tuff call on the Honorable Mention designation on this one.
being he actually Found it , some may say You were more the Middle Man :thumbsup:

Lets see what the Members Think ?

I guess we could consider Steve your Treasure Hunting Tool of Choice here :laughing7:

I'll review & decide Tomorrow
 

Last edited:

MrMikeJackie

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Nov 3, 2013
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If it weren't for the op bringing along his buddy, the ring prob wouldn't have been found. His buddy is the "tool" he chose to bring along to get the job done.
 

OP
OP
Valley Ranger

Valley Ranger

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Mar 24, 2011
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I agree on the Team Effort.

Tuff call on the Honorable Mention designation on this one.
being he actually Found it , some may say You were more the Middle Man :thumbsup:

Lets see what the Members Think ?

I guess we could consider Steve your Treasure Hunting Tool of Choice here :laughing7:

I'll review & decide Tomorrow

Yes, he is my new tool of choice. If I could just teach him how to beep.
 

Erik in NJ

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Oct 4, 2010
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I think the OP played a crucial role in this by determining where the ring likely went with a washer so as far as I'm concerned a def Hon Mention.
 

OP
OP
Valley Ranger

Valley Ranger

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Mar 24, 2011
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If it weren't for the op bringing along his buddy, the ring prob wouldn't have been found. His buddy is the "tool" he chose to bring along to get the job done.

He's dove on the Atocha. He's definitely a great resource to have at my disposal. He's trying to talk me into becoming certified myself. My daughter says I'm too old. Hmmpphh! 57? Man, I'm just getting into my prime.
 

DirtStalker

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Sep 26, 2014
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I think if not for the OP it never would have been found and returned. Undoubtedly he put his tool right on top of it which was different place than he was told. But with his float and washer trick he pinpointed it
 

OP
OP
Valley Ranger

Valley Ranger

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Mar 24, 2011
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princess ring.jpg
I never posted about this ring find a couple of months ago - my 6 year old granddaughter lost her princess ring in my backyard. Grandpa to the rescue!
 

The Urban Prospector

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Oct 18, 2014
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How cool is that?! Way to go guys!!
 

BIGHOOT

Newbie
Jun 14, 2015
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Great ending to a great story. The husband probably got sent to the dog house for not knowing what the ring looked like. Lol, thanks for sharing.
 

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