With the Sovereign and Excalibur being one of the best beach water detectors how many would consider being on a recovery posse for lost jewelry.

[Ron from Michigan]

This recovery would be for someone who lost a family heirloom at the beach or in the water.Example Pete would be able to help someone in the Virginia area or Ralph could help someone find a ring in LA.I do realize that there would be many glitches with a national list, but this could be good PR? Just thought to kick this around. HH Ron

 

[dewcon4414]

Ron.... that already exsists.Ring finders. Is prety active here in fl. Thou im not sure about some who reply to say Craig List which I watch. There are 3 or 4 in my area I run into every now and then. Not every one is honest about helping either. Some watch these lists for there own gain. But.... its a good idea.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Dew,you would have to have a base of honest people and rules to protect both the person of the lost item and hunter.Example someone drives to a location for a search is spending their time and money they should be compensated.Another problem someone has a request search for jewelry that isn't even theirs.I could even see a problem where any jewelry found the person who made the search request would make a claim.I think Find's with its integrity and hunters would be an ideal place for a national recovery site.Not sure if everyone would want to do the extra work to start this site,because it would require a lot of good rules and legal protection.It could be great PR or a nightmare with both side ripping each other off.

 

[biglry]

Yep, "The Ring Finders" is a directory with listings all around the world of guys who find lost personal treasures. Most work on a rewarded basis, in other words pay what you feel the lost item is worth to you, it is also big here up and down the coast of Calif.
I personally, have hunted and found a lost ring for someone (last week) who found me in a round about way through "The Ring Finders" I did it for free, but the young lady was so happy that I had found her 1-ct diamond set in platinum ring as she was crying tears of joy and hugging me she shoved a hundred dollar bill in my shirt pocket.

You can read all about the find at Biglry's blog

 

[mudpuppy]

These modern portable communication devices make finding a fresh valuable drop just about impossible! Also, on any given well populated beach, theres a half dozen old guys out working it a person can flag down and ask for help...Anyway, with the addition of all the junk rings/jewelry now a days, a guy has to hunt for things lost in the pre cell phone days for a hope for keeper gold..Its funny in a way, with the fast communication we have, its not 6hrs before every capable coil swinger knows about a recent valuable drop...

Few years back, I saw some finger tracks on the sand, where somebody was raking for a loss with their hands one early morning....Walked over there and bing! Nice 14k ring with a honker diamond! Fit the wife perfectly too, took it to a jeweler and he said thats a $2500 ring!... But I hung onto it and watched for postings at the beach and whatnot...a few weeks later, in desperation, the person posted the loss on CL saying they knew this was a longshot...When I met them, they told me they lost it late in the evening, and were out there the next morning by 8 am with a contracted 'ringfinder'...I was out there at 5am and found it just after Sun-up...Thats how fast a nice fresh drop gets found now a days, and this was not on a heavily hunted stretch...way far from the main beach where people like some privacy....I got $100 for the return, so that helped...so I hunt for pre cell phone gold understandably, its too dang tough of a race otherwise......incendentally, all the clothes I'm wearing including the shades I found on the sand...I'm a gold hunter and not a good sam by jingo! If I wanted to volunteer my time and effort, I'd be delivering meals on wheels for pete's sake!
Mud

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Mud excellent point,maybe now it's better odds to find gold jewelry on land away from the water or beaches. Thanks Ron

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Biglry,thanks for the information.I usually search land,because the lakes and beaches here in Michigan have been worked hard.Some of my friends have done well at some of these remote swimming holes.

 

[KinTN]

Screw those services that charge you to register with them. LostMyStuff.net is an absolutely FREE service. I encourage everyone so inclined to sign up.
I've had one hunt for them and one return (#981).

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Kin thanks for the information.

 

[GeorgeinSC]

At the beaches that I have locally it is not uncommon to see two or more other swingers out looking for that elusive piece of gold or silver.

My Friday find (see good deeds post) surprised me in that it was still where he lost it as there were two other guys working in the same area. He had lost the ring nearly 24 hours before I found it.

The competition on my beaches is tremendous. Lot of tourists bring their detectors with them and some of those tourists come for a week just to detect the beaches. Fresh drops do not normally stay lost for very long. Only when the ocean moves some sand off old drops do I find gold.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

George,your find got me thinking about a national organization to find lost jewelry,but most beaches have a couple people metal detecting all the time.Even with the 24 hour period the guy was lucky his ring was still there for you to recover.I have always noticed over the years that beach and water hunting is more competitive than at the parks.Great job finding the ring and PR.Thanks Ron

 

[KinTN]

Ron, if you do decide to start a similar service, I'd be honored to join it.


BTW, I don't begrudge anyone for charging or asking for a reward for hunting something. I completely understand that everyone's personal situation and every hunt situation is different. For me, this is a hobby and I am personally in the position to help other folks and get that great feeling of accomplishment when I am successful.

And sometimes, even tho you didn't ask for any reward, want any reward, or need any reward, the gracious thing to do is to humbly accept what is generously offered. Like I said, every situation is unique.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Kin,I learned from the people on this post that any jewelry lost on the beach is going to have be be recovered quick.The local hunters at these beaches could network more effective than any national site.Though different scenarios could create problems for searches.Thanks Ron