Suggestions on how to locate a ring

[JohnnyK]

I just ordered an ACE 250. I also ordered the sniper 4.5" search-coil.

As my first project I was going to head down to my kids school. Last year their teacher lost her wedding ring in the grass. They had 3 classes of kids searching for it but, no luck.

I choose this because 1) it's walking distance from my house and 2) who knows I just might be able to something nice for a teacher that as done an outstanding job for my family.

From what I have read on these forums finding a ring is a daunting task. I plan on doing a lot of digging as I suspect there will be significant trash as it's a high traffic area.

Question: I was going to put on the sniper coil and set detector for Jewelry. But, maybe all metal is in order for finding a ring.

How should I setup the detector to give me the best chances at finding the ring?

 

[khouse]

First I would find out the size and if it was silver or gold. Then I would ask her if she had a similar ring. If she has one the sweep the ring and set your detector to pick up that notch and the one above and below. So now you have a 3 notch window. This should be enough if she can show you where she lost it. If she can't produce a similar ring then if her lost ring was gold I would accept all notches from foil to the first tab notch. If it's silver I would accept nickel to quarter. Then if you can't find it with those settings then I would hunt in the relic mode. It should be right in the grass or grass roots.

 

[JohnnyK]

A 4th Grade teacher at our school lost a wedding ring a little over a year ago. Being new to MDing I thought the school yard might be a good place for me to cut my teeth. It was a real long shot. I knew that three other people had looked before me with MD's (I don't believe they had Garrett's). Also the entire 4th grade class searched without luck.

I just received my ACE 250 on Tuesday. I watched the DVD and had planned on spending my first 10 hours digging up trash. My son showed me the area where is teacher lost her ring. We gridded out a section 75' x 35'. I spent about an hour set on "All Metal" using the sniper coil digging up everything. We have a heavy clay soil in the area and it didn't take me long to start to restrict what I was digging after. I notched out the bottom two segments to reduce the number of gum wrappers and nails I was digging out. I also stopped digging the 6" and greater targets. My reasoning was that 1) I felt that at 1 year I don't think the ring would have sunk that far 2) I would clear the shallow trash first then go back and look deeper.

I was about to throw in the towel. I did have a pretty good day figuring out how the device behaved. I found a costume ring, a pendent and some clad. I also picked a fresh peach off of a tree. Then I went back to a place that I was having problems with. There was a lot of rebar, pipes and a cast iron sewer grate under ground. But, heck I had a few minutes and was begining to understand what the device was telling me. Then I got a good "ding" on a nickle or pull tab. So I dug it and I said "NO WAY".

We called the teacher and she was so happy and could hardly contain herself. The ring was designed by her husband and they just had their first child about two weeks ago.

[attachment 65902 ring.jpg]

[attachment 65903 other.jpg]​

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I missed your original post. That is great you found her ring. I can see by what you wrote, you have a good head for figuring out detectors. There are a lot more rings out there and most have no id on them. It is always great when we can return one though. I sure you are going to find a lot more things. If you do post them so we all can see them.

 

[khouse]

Excellent job!

 

[JohnnyK]

Thanks!! We are so excited to find more treasures. I think for me it is about the hunt.

My son and I will probably spend a few more hours at the school MD'ing. It's very close to the house. There have been schools at this location for over 100 years. I contacted the local historical society and we have figured out where the previous school houses where located on the property. Looking at photo's we can see where the entrances where and the playgrounds.

The next site is a long lost train depot. We'll have to ride our Mountain Bikes to get to the site. That should be fun just by itself!

JohnnyK
Western Washington

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I think you are doing the hardest type of MDing. Old train stations are tough. Lots of trash and old iron. I put some time in one in January. I found a few wheat, 1907 Canadian quarter and a 1839 cent. Also lead was everywhere. You have to have the temperament for dealing with trash.