Metal Detectors Super Store

" THE RING "
By: Jim F.

I had wanted a metal detector for many years, but had put it off for one reason or another. A co-worker had purchased a White’s model metal detector to do some beachcombing during his vacation. When he returned, he showed off his “booty”. I could not believe what he came up with in such a short amount of time! Gold rings, silver rings, a watch, and a lot of loose change.

What he had found in that one week of detecting, gave me the push to purchase one of my own. I decided on a White’s E-Series MXT as this was a mid-priced detector with turn on and go capabilities.

As I eagerly anticipated my “baby’s” arrival, I joined as many online forums as I could, asked a million questions and everyone was very helpful. When the unit arrived, I did what I think most everyone does when they get their first detector, and that is go out and dig up the yard looking for hidden treasures.

I found some pennies and other change as well as a religious pendant and a silver baby spoon. I was hooked already! I couldn’t wait until my vacation at the beach!

As July approached, I was getting more and more adept at distinguishing the sounds of different items. A pull-tab here and a bottle cap there, different coins. I was having a blast!

Maine Beach where ring was found

Vacation time came and we were at the beach for a week. I had many delusions of grandeur. I was going to find everything under the sun, (no pun intended). The first day I had only found pocket change and a silver ring. It was the second day that convinced me that I had found a hobby that I will have for the rest of my life.

The second day of my vacation was spent just as the first. Getting up at 5:00 AM to try to beat the other detectorists to the “hot spots” and trying to beat the beach comber that drags all of the finds from one end of the beach to the other. It was this day that I would find my most precious find! I had not found anything of significance early in the morning and had dragged my butt back to the house with a little disappointment. Later that morning we had decided to hit the beach for a family day out and of course, I brought the detector along in case I got bored.

Diamond / CZ Ring as found

My brother-in-law walked along beside me as I continuously bent and scooped the soft beach sand using my homemade sifter made from a Maxwell house coffee can. It was during one of these bend, squat, and scoops that I came across something that clinked around in my scoop. As I reach in to see what it was, I caught a glimpse of something shiny. I got all excited when I saw what it was up close. I had found a silver ring with a large stone in the center and three smaller stones on either side. My brother-in-law’s eyes just about popped out of his head. I immediately placed the ring in my pocket and we headed back to the blanket. I showed the ring to my wife and her initial reaction was that the stones were probably not real and the ring was probably not worth much.

When we returned home from our vacation, I immediately brought the ring to a jeweler and was told that the ring was 14K white gold and that the large stone in the center was a Cubic Zirconia, but the six other stones were high quality diamonds, totally about 1.2 carats! I was flabbergasted!

When my wife found this out, she became very interested in the ring. I just looked at her and said “Now what do you think of the ring?” and her reply was,” I like it very, very much”.

The ring, as found, was appraised at $2800.00. After a few modifications, my wife now has a ring that can be handed down as a family heirloom and the story will be handed down with it as well.

While this hobby can be back breaking at times, the rewards are well worth the effort. I think the adventure of it all makes this hobby one that I would recommend to just about anyone.

Diamond / Sapphire Ring after modification

– Found By Jim F. from Nashua, NH while on vacation in Maine

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