Richard Browne, a member of the organization Ring Finders and a resident of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, uses metal-detecting equipment to find lost rings in the waters of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and returns them. The Ring Finders use metal-detecting equipment to find lost rings and other metallic items. He said, “They give me a call and I go out anywhere on the Cape and find it for them and return it to them for nothing. Two years ago, I returned 22 rings and this past year, 10.” Often, Mr. Browne goes chest deep into cold water to use his metal detector. He said that he enjoys the quest, and that it does have another benefit: “It keeps me off the streets and out of the bars.” In 1982, he began metal detecting, and from that time to mid-January 2013, he estimates that he has returned 100 class rings. He said, “I don’t accept rewards; they’re taxable. If you want to give me a gift, I’ll think about that. A thank-you note is wonderful.” He has found many missing wedding bands and engagement rings, and he may have saved one marriage that was under stress due to a lost ring. What is the most valuable ring he has found and returned? A $20,000 diamond ring. Of course, he finds other items: soda cans, spark plugs, coins, and other forms of jewelry. Mr. Browne said that he is just “trying to find a little fortune here and there.” He added, “It’s just relaxing. I don’t like going to the gym to work out. And you get out there and it gets cold and your heart starts pumping and you dig and try not to get water down your gloves and stay dry. It’s peaceful.” By the way, on 19 June 2013, Redditor abuaf wrote, “I lost a gold ring with sapphires & diamonds at the beach in Cape Cod. I gave my contact info to neighbors & lifeguards, posted a craigslist ad, but left the beach realizing my ring would be lost forever. Within 3 days I was reunited with my ring thanks to Rick Browne, Metal detector extraordinaire.”
For Further Information: Eric Williams, “Yarmouth man finds class rings buried in Cape waters.” Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Massachusetts). 16 January 2013
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130116/NEWS/301160347
For Further Information: abuaf, “I lost a gold ring with sapphires & diamonds at the beach in Cape Cod. I gave my contact info to neighbors & lifeguards, posted a craigslist ad, but left the beach realizing my ring would be lost forever. Within 3 days I was reunited with my ring thanks to Rick Browne, Metal detector extraordinaire.” Reddit. 19 June 2013
http://www.reddit.com/user/abuaf
For Further Information: “Treasure hunter braves chilly waters.” YouTube. 14 January 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9qK_2BjmQE
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