I was out detecting today in my neighborhood and a couple asked me if I could look for the husband's gold wedding ring that he lost two weeks ago in their front yard. So I'm going over there tomorrow to see if I can find it, and I will scan the wife's similar ring to get an idea of ID number. Does anyone with experience finding gold rings have any advice? I have a Minelab Vanquish 440. I'm considering turning down the sensitivity, since the ring will be shallow or on the surface, and discriminating out high tones and iron. The front yard at the house is not huge--only about 0.15 acres--and they think the ring could really be anywhere in the yard. Just trying to maximize my chances for success; thanks for any help!
Advice for finding lost ring
- Thread starter Chroma
- Start date
IDXMonster
Elite Member
You’ve already answered the questions. Tune it for the range you want, make sure the sensitivity is turned down since you’re looking for surface/shallow items and make sure to overlap the swings at least a little bit for coverage. You’ll find it in no time.
Might I add….be SURE to question them before you get going! Ask them specifically WHY they believe it’s in the front yard. ALOT of people jump to some pretty fat reaching “pre-conclusions” so to avoid that, they have to give you a good reason as to why it would be there. For them to say “the ring is gone, therefore it must be in the yard” is a very good way to waste a day and for you to look like a fool at YOUR expense. If they say “He was throwing a rock and saw the ring fly off into the bushes”….that’s better. To assume it’s in the yard because it’s not on his finger? Not good.
Might I add….be SURE to question them before you get going! Ask them specifically WHY they believe it’s in the front yard. ALOT of people jump to some pretty fat reaching “pre-conclusions” so to avoid that, they have to give you a good reason as to why it would be there. For them to say “the ring is gone, therefore it must be in the yard” is a very good way to waste a day and for you to look like a fool at YOUR expense. If they say “He was throwing a rock and saw the ring fly off into the bushes”….that’s better. To assume it’s in the yard because it’s not on his finger? Not good.
Alright, thanks
IDXMonster
Elite Member
See my addition above….
Yes, good point. They said they were playing games in the front yard with their grandkids and that it must have slipped off his finger. Said they rented a detector and tried raking the yard with no luck. I'll give it a try.
Florida Tabdigger
Elite Member
You need to search deep and slow...cover every bit of the yard...you don't get many chances like this to hunt virgin ground. When you find the ring...wait till you have finished the yard before you quit. You must be thorough! These things take time and patience. 
CallMeGrey
Forum Supporter
Be careful about scanning the wife's ring for an idea on the ID. Ring size makes a big difference. My wedding band rings up at 20, my wife's rings up at 10.
Having been lost only 2 weeks ago, at least it should be pretty much a surface find - still probably hidden to the eye but no digging required. Good Luck!
Having been lost only 2 weeks ago, at least it should be pretty much a surface find - still probably hidden to the eye but no digging required. Good Luck!
OK, will definitely keep that in mind. Thanks!
Florida Tabdigger
Elite Member
Some of the solitaire rings might even read much lower than 10...my wife's reads as a 2. Mine reads as a pulltab in the 30's.
Laxsaltman
Elite Member
Don't take anything for granted. Gold is heavy and depending on soil conditions; i.e. porous,sandy,well watered,etc, it could have sunk in two weeks. Good luck! Ring returns are the best!
Martin_V3i
Elite Member
X2. I applaud you for testing it. If the rings were a matched set but only sized different, you are still a smarter bear than most.
I just noticed this thread and was wondering how did it turn out?
When I found this woman's lost wedding band for 11 years some weeks ago I did have a general idea where to look. She had lost it when walking from her car to the back door. Came up 28 on the Simplex.
When I found this woman's lost wedding band for 11 years some weeks ago I did have a general idea where to look. She had lost it when walking from her car to the back door. Came up 28 on the Simplex.
joetoilet
Senior Member
Also ask if he had been wearing gloves in the time frame. Sometimes the ring will be in the glove.
Big Boys Hobbies
Forum Sponsor
You need to search deep and slow...cover every bit of the yard...you don't get many chances like this to hunt virgin ground. When you find the ring...wait till you have finished the yard before you quit. You must be thorough! These things take time and patience.
Good post here!
maxxkatt
Forum Supporter
Before you grid it, do this. go there at night (with their permission so you won't get shot) with a bright LED flashlight. walk the yard, and bushes from two different directions and look for a reflection. Sometimes you can find it quicker than gridding with a detector.
If that fails, then do what others have suggested in this tread. I know it is more fun to find with a detector, but sometimes recent drops in a yard are found easier with a flashlight.
If that fails, then do what others have suggested in this tread. I know it is more fun to find with a detector, but sometimes recent drops in a yard are found easier with a flashlight.
