I've Lost My Ring.... What Do I Do?

December 2021

It happens and it happens often. If it happens to you, there are definite steps to take.

How Did I Lose It?

There are two main ways to lose your precious item.

1) I know what happened but the conditions don't allow me to find it.

2) I had it and now it is gone!

What Do I Do?

In every case, stop and reflect on what happened. Take note of when you noticed it gone, when you last saw it, and what happened in between. The shorter the elapsed time between the two the greater the likelihood it will be found.

In the first situation, if you are outside, you likely have exhausted yourself looking for it. The snow is too deep, the grass swallowed it up, it sunk to the bottom or it just disappeared when I threw the ball. In these situations, it is time to contact me. (Some will consider purchasing or renting a metal detector. It may work but more often than not, it is an exercise in futility, frustration and a time consumer) The sooner the better, especially if it took place in a public place. In a public place, the added variable of outsider interference becomes a possibility which we wish to eliminate, thus the time urgency.

Using metal detectors, specialized equipment, search techniques, detective work and dogged determination, I can help you locate your precious belonging. Any time and any season. These situations have the highest success rate.

If you were inside when you lost it, you again have likely searched the location and it seems to have just disappeared. In these cases, the item likely disappeared into, behind or under something that is inaccessible and unknown. Using an endoscope and other methods, we can search places that are simply out of reach.

Inside or outside, when you contact me, I will ask you many questions that will help me prepare for the search. Once a time is set, it is best to have you present as it often provides added details which lead to success. Again, these situations have the greatest likelihood of recovery taking place! Go back to the "SUCCESSES" page and click on any of my success story images to see examples of a few of the recoveries I have recently completed.

In the second situation, there is that stressful moment when you realize your ring is gone. Once you have recovered from that shock, it is time to identify when you last saw it and reflect on all that took place since then. Check any photos you or anyone else may have taken recently to see if there is a distinct moment when your ring is missing. Determine if there were specific events that occurred that might precipitate the loss. I tripped, I wiped snow off my car, I did dishes, I took it off to.... etc. Once you have those identified, go ahead and search. Ask others to help out. A different perspective is always beneficial. Keep in mind that most often, the ring or item is found at this time.

If you do not find it, start exploring the different possibilities that are out of the norm. ie The ring was brushed off the counter and rolled under the fridge. Continue eliminating locations. As the more obvious scenarios are eliminated, the approach becomes broader and you will begin searching less likely situations. Maybe it is in the car. This is the time to contact me.

I will simply begin by asking you lots of questions regarding the details of the loss. When? Where? ... Once the events are determined, I will begin the detective work by asking more questions. The first ones will deal with the obvious such as, "What were you wearing? Did you check your pockets?" As those are eliminated, we will explore and identify different options. In some situations, new possibilities come to light and you hang up and search for it. Either you find it or you don't. If you don't, we continue the process. If we identify situations where I can help using my equipment, we can initiate a "closure" search. A closure search eliminates locations and allows you to focus your energies elsewhere if the item is not found. This works. Just this past week, I searched two parking lots and a vehicle for a woman's lost wedding ring. I didn't find it but knowing that it wasn't there, got her thinking differently. The next day I received a text with a picture of the recovered ring.

If a closure is not required or it did not work, I will suggest additional steps to take. Posting notices, contacting nearby locations (stores, schools, parks department etc) searching online sites (Kijiji, Facebook, Nextdoor, Craigs List) checking pawn shops and contacting the police are all steps that can be taken. Most people would be happy to return the lost item if they knew how and those that have a less noble approach would rather forego the hassles of selling/pawning/scrapping the ring if there is a reward.

Keep looking and be persistent. I can tell you stories you won't believe regarding items returned in manners inconceivable. Hopefully, you story can be added to the list.

If you are from outside the Calgary/Alberta region, visit TheRingFinders.com to locate a recovery specialist in your area.