I'm really impressed by the way you guys in thye U.S.

[Furious T]

really go out of your way to try to get class rings and high school rings back to their owners. I haven't found that many gold rings, but have been able to return one to the owners...a 9k three tone gold wedding ring..it felt good to get it back to the people who lost it. Was just wondering if its traditional to return the class rings in the U.S. and why? I'm from Australia, and just curious. Whatever the reason, I think its great that you make the efforts you do, but just wondering what's behind the tradition.. Sapper

 

[chuck101]

Because detectorist are alot of times looked down on here,we have to do what we can to do the right thing,i pick up surface trash along the way,when i leave a park it is cleaner when i leave!.Chuck.Hay Sapper read some of your post sounds like you are pretty good with a detector,What is your weapon of choice,heard minelab is very popular there.Look what i found yesterday,this is a violent place!.A wheat penny with a bullet hole,ouch that hurt!.

 

[Hombre]

Howdy Furious
I have found 8 class rings and returned 7 of them to the rightfull owners, most of them were found in fresh water with a Tiger Shark. The oldest class ring that I have found was a 1938 girls class ring made with 10kt solid gold. This one was returnerd to the widowed husband 64 years later, and was my most gratifying return. Most of the lost and returned ring recipients were very happy and gratefull for the long lost ring, but some were indifferent about the return of the lost ring. The return of the 1938 class ring was my most gratifying experience, as the owner was very emotional, and offered me a large sum of money for (which I respectfully turned down). The return of the 1938 class ring was documented in two front page articles in two different town newspapers..............Hombre

 

[Furious T]

Hi Chuck, I've got a few Tesoros, DeLeon and Eldorado are my favourites of that bunch. Also like my X Terra 70. I've traded in a couple of Tesoros I'd like to still have...Golden U max & Silver Sabre II, both were great machines but I just couldn't afford to keep them. I've foudn that as I've gained experience I can appreciate the qualities that I miss by not having those machines. Anyway, we cant go back. Over here the Minelab gold machines are huge. I think the X Terras are pretty popular now and the Sovereigns have built up a pretty big following over the years..all good detectors. I love the X Terra, but I think my Eldorado is probably still my favourite. The dealer I bought it from told me it was a good machine (he tested it against other Eldorados he had in stock, said it was the best) I believe he was right because it performs well in almost any conditions. It is still probably my most successful beach machine, and well as inland. I even took it into the surf one day and it was doing great until the skys opened up and the rain came down. I knew I could protect the Eldorado from the surf, but not from the surf and the rain, so had to take it back to the car and get my Sea Hunter. That's another story (for the grandchildren in 20 years..when they're born). I just love my detecting, Chuck. Due to family commitments I dont get out of the area where I live much, so keep going over much the same territory most of the time..still finding coins dating back to the late 19th Cent. and occasionally beyond. Its great fun. I also remove all rubbish I find, that leaves the way open to finding the stuff below. All the Best, Sapper.

 

[jhettel]

I found one class ring while in a field looking for civil war relics. The ring was from the early 1990's. Called the school and got a call from the owners parents. they said the ring was lost on a hay ride and their son didn't even go look for it. It had been blessed by the bishop so they were very glad to get it back. They offered money but I refused.

Now, why do we return rings? Just think about what we do for a hobby, we look for things with a metal detector. So, I think the vast majority of us are out there for the love of finding things and when we find a ring it gives us the chance to find the owner, it's kind of a challenge that pays off with big smiles.

I do know people who used to watch a beach with binoculars and look for people who were obviously looking for something lost. After everyone went home they went down with their metal detectors and found the rings and just kept them. Kind of sleazy.

 

[BigCatDaddy]

It's just the right thing to do!! If there's a name or some way of identifying the owner, why not get it back to them?? It is still their property and in most cases means a whole lot more to them than just the dollar value. Seeing that big ol' smile gives you a good feeling that no gold ring could!!

 

[BillZ]

Howdy Furious
I have found 8 class rings and returned 7 of them to the rightfull owners, most of them were found in fresh water with a Tiger Shark. The oldest class ring that I have found was a 1938 girls class ring made with 10kt solid gold. This one was returnerd to the widowed husband 64 years later, and was my most gratifying return. Most of the lost and returned ring recipients were very happy and gratefull for the long lost ring, but some were indifferent about the return of the lost ring. The return of the 1938 class ring was my most gratifying experience, as the owner was very emotional, and offered me a large sum of money for (which I respectfully turned down). The return of the 1938 class ring was documented in two front page articles in two different town newspapers..............Hombre

Did you find a good way to track down the owner? I found a 1952 class ring wit 3 initials on the inside but haven't had any luck getting the High School or their very loosely organized Alumni Association to help.

 

[Hombre]

Howdy Bill
It helps if the school is local, otherwise it becomes much harder. I still have not returned one ring that traces back to either Las Vegas NV or Los Angeles Cal. It is from Mohave Highschool. I live in Kansas, we called both schools with no luck, so I guess it is no dice for that one. I ain't worried about it because I tried.......................Hombre

 

[Furious T]

thanks for your replies, fellas. It is great to hear and read your stories about returning stuff...as jhette said, there are some sleazy characters out there, who virtually (and sometimes literally ) steal stuff by not returing it to the owner. You guys who do return things are the ones who give our hobby its integrity. It's great to see....and yes, it is wonderful to see the expression on someone's face when you give them something back which they thought they would never see again. Good luck to you all. Sapper.

 

[fowlercharles]

Finding and returning a ring or a whatever, is always a a really good experience for everyone, and it is a much added enjoyment when you can re-unite someone with a cherished ring that was expected to be forever lost. By the way, there was 1955 High School Class Ring lost at night in a big Park in Melbourne. This sailor I know real well lost it there in 56, but far as he knows, it left the park on some girls finger. Often wonder about that ring, Lol! That was a Great Liberty Port!

 

[macfleetwood]

I Tried To Return 2 Class Rings At 2 Different Schools & NEVER Heard Back From The Schools Or The Owners!

However, I Was Hunting The Beach,Myrtle Beach, S.C., A Lady Approached Me About Looking For Her Wedding Ring

That She Had Lost 2 Days Previous Playing Water Volley Ball!! Said She Hit The Ball & The Ring Went Flying!!

I Made A Grid Of The Volley Ball Court, About 30 Minutes Later I Found The Ring Right Under The Net!!

She Gave Me A BIG HUG, A Brewskie And A $20 Bill..PLUS..She Insisted That Her OLD Man Take Our Pic With

Me Sliping The Ring On Her Finger!!

 

[Furious T]

What a great story, macfleetwood. Hope you god a copy of the photo for "show & tell" LOL. Sapper.