The air in Kingston, Ontario, was biting a chilly -18 (with wind chill), and while only a couple of inches of snow had fallen overnight, it was enough to be a nuisance.
Ethan stepped out to his car and realized he didn’t have a snow brush handy. With the clock ticking, he improvised, using his arms and gloved hands to sweep the fresh powdered snow off the windshield and roof.
As he worked, some of the snow managed to pack itself inside his glove. He paused, tugging the glove off to shake out the cold snow, and that’s when his heart sank. In one fluid, devastating motion, his wedding ring loosened by the freezing temperatures, his ring slipped off his finger and vanished into the white dusting on the ground.
The Race Against the Plow
Ethan looked around the area in a panic. Probably sinking the ring further under the white powder.
The ring had seemingly vanished into thin air. He knew he was in a race against time, the city snow plows hadn’t made their rounds yet. If they came by now, they would surely scrape that light layer of snow, and his ring, straight into a massive, frozen snowbank or down the street and it would be lost forever.
He rushed inside and began a frantic search for help. After stumbling through several websites, he finally landed on The Ring Finders website
The First Call: He reached out to was my digging partner MR, Hoard Of The Rings himself, MR Ryan Pugh, but Ryan didn’t pick up the call. So Ethan immediately called The ring-finding legend, Mr Stephane Coutu. While Stephane couldn’t make it out right away, he told Ethan not to lose hope and suggested he call me, James Mathias of The Kingston Ring Recovery Service to see if I was available.
It just so happened I was available but I didn’t have my gear with me.
Teamwork and THE “Couch-Free” Guarantee
When Ethan got a hold of me, he explained the situation with a mix of stress and humor. His wife was away but was due home later that day. He joked that it was of the utmost importance to get the ring back before she arrived, otherwise, he’d likely be spending the night on the couch!
So Naturally, I called Ryan who was just minutes from my current location. I thought to myself, Self, this could potentially save us hours of valuable time.
As I was actually just around the corner from Ryan Pugh’s place at the time. We coordinated instantly and headed straight over to Ethan’s place to do our best, & beat the plows.
The Recovery
Within 30 minutes of Ethan first reaching out, Ryan and I were on-site. The parking spot was still untouched by the plows, giving us the window we needed. Ryan stepped up to the area where Ethan had pulled off his glove, and within just a few minutes, he had a hit. A solid 51 on the Minelab Manticore (Metal Detector)
The Moment of Truth: Ryan reached down into snow with his Pinpointer and stood up, holding the ring high.
Ethan’s relief was visible. He had his ring back on his finger with plenty of time to spare before his wife walked through the front door.
Thanks to some quick thinking and a bit of “Hoard Of The Rings” LUCK and a coordinated teamwork effort from Stephane, Ryan, and myself, Ethan secured a restful night in his own bed and kept his ring exactly where it belonged
How We Recovered a Lost Heirloom Wedding Ring In Kingston Ontario
Introduction
Losing a sentimental piece of jewelry is one of the most stressful feelings imaginable. For Cathy J. and her son, whom lost not just his wedding ring which once belonged to his , Grandad, but he also lost his late father’s wedding band as well, a very sentimental ring which meant the world to him. Panic hit when they realized Cathy’s sons 2 Gold wedding rings, & family heirlooms were lost somewhere in the front yard in downtown Kingston, Ontario.
Most people assume once something like this happens, it’s gone forever.
They literally search for hours, frantically sifting through the sand, water, dirt, or grass. But for those in the Kingston and broader Ontario region, there is a specialized solution.
This week, the Kingston Ring Recovery Service was able to turn a desperate situation into a joyous recovery, proving that even a couple of tiny, valuable items can be found.
What to Do When You’ve Lost a Ring in Kingston?
Critical Steps to Take Before Calling a Metal Detectorist
In our experience serving the Ontario community, the first few hours are the most critical. If you have lost your wedding ring, car keys, or any lost jewelry in Kingston, Or anywhere for that matter, follow these steps immediately:
STOP SEARCHING: The biggest mistake is pacing the area, which pushes the item deeper into the ground. Mark the boundary where you believe it was lost.
Contact Us IMMEDIATELY: Time is critical, especially with high-traffic areas. The sooner you call the Kingston Ring Recovery Service or the Ontario Ring Recovery Service, the higher the chance of recovery.
Use a Local Service: Look for a proven, ethical local expert, like James Mathias & Ryan Pugh of Kingston’s Ring Recovery services in Kingston or others throughout Ontario and those in our network at OntarioRingRecovery.com our recommendation is not use just any hobbyist who is still learning the hobby,
The Precise Search: How Modern Metal Detecting Can Save the Day
This recovery can be viewed on Relic Expeditions YouTube channel at the following link
We feel this video highlights why experience and the right Detectorists & equipment are essential for a professional ring recovery service and success story in Ontario. Such as “Ontario Ring Recovery”(.COM)
This video covers The Loss:- A beautiful gold mens rings lost while doing some gardening work in Kingston Ontario
The Challenge: The area was grassy, and full of modern trash (tinfoil, can slaw), creating difficult signals.
The Solution: Armed with 2 Minelab Manticore’s and advanced techniques honed through years of experience, we sectioned off the search area. The process took only minutes after James Mathias & Ryan P took the time to gain the right Intel for the lost rings.
The careful, ethical approach paid off.
The Find:
Located in the grass we located the distinct signal of a golden metal. The rings were retrieved and returned to a very relieved Cathy to give back to her son.
Why We Founded the Kingston and Ontario Ring Recovery Services
The recovery of a lost item is more than a service; it’s about trust and ethics. As the founder of the Kingston Ontario Ring Recovery Service and a community leader for Metal Detecting Ontario, and the South Eastern Ontario Metal Detecting Club in Kingston Ontario, my commitment is to make sure our clients receive the very best professionals in your region with the best technology such as the Minelab Manticore’s my partner and I use.
We always make 100% sure to do our recoveries as ethically as possible, we keep updated on local detecting regulations so as not to detect anywhere we are not legally allowed.
Our members are hand picked by the founders of the organization creating a reliable network of the best Detectorists throughout the province.
If you are interested in learning what detecting is all about? Then call us and James Mathias would be happy to take the time and give you the basics of what you need to know about the hobby. Or, join me on one of my educational sessions.
We believe in supporting the hobby responsibly. If you are a new detectorist just starting out, please join our community on social media such as Metal Detecting Ontario. (On Facebook ) To learn tips and tricks and the ethics that guide us.
If you or someone you know has lost a sentimental item anywhere in Kingston, OR elsewhere in Ontario, don’t wait. Every hour counts. We are ready to deploy professionals and their equipment along with years of expertise and experience to bring your treasure home.
This morning, I went on a quest that took me 226 kilometers from home—a 452 km round trip—all for three lost rings. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a detectorist, it’s that good things happen to good people, and this story proves it.
The Call for Help
It all started when I replied to a post about three rings lost in Uxbridge, Ontario. The owner, Connie, was distraught. She remembered being at a tanning salon on Friday, October 31st. It was cold and raining, and she vividly recalled rushing to her car, only 20 feet from the door.
She believed the rings, which were safely tucked into a small bottle of Benadryl in her purse, must have fallen out during that brief, hurried dash. By the time she got home, the bottle was gone.
Connie had done everything right: she drove back, searched the parking lot, checked the tanning room, and spoke to the salon owner. The rings were officially missing.
The Detective Work Begins
When I spoke to Connie, I went straight to my standard line: “Almost 90% of the time, lost rings are never where people think they are.”
I asked her about her full movements throughout her day, where she last remembered taking the rings off, and emphasized that I truly didn’t think we would find them at the salon. Despite my low expectations, I told her I would still make the long drive to check the area thoroughly. She deserved that effort.
A Search Team Assembles
Once I arrived in Uxbridge, I met up with my good friend and fellow detectorist, Julie Pike. Julie has a knack for finding gold, and knowing she was close by, I figured an extra set of experienced eyes couldn’t hurt! She was more than happy to join the search.
When we got to the salon, the owner was just setting up for the day. To our surprise and great fortune, she allowed us inside. We methodically searched all the garbage bins from the past few days—the staff assured us no one had emptied them since Friday—but there was no bottle, no rings.
The outdoor search was extensive. We covered the entire property, the parking lot, and even ventured across the road to a grassy area and another parking lot. Friday had been windy, and I had a hunch the small bottle might have been carried far outside the immediate area.
After hours of methodical searching, we were out of options. I had no choice but to call Connie with the bad news: we were unsuccessful.
The Twist Ending
I was disappointed, but then, two hours later, my phone rang. It was Connie, and her voice was filled with disbelief and joy.
She had been chatting with a family member, explaining what I do and relaying the very specific questions I had asked about her movements. My detailed questions must have been turning over in her mind because suddenly, a different memory clicked.
Connie had gotten distracted at home while going up her stairs and had placed the rings on a nearby window ledge, planning to take them upstairs later.
While still on the phone with her family, Connie ran to the ledge… and there they were. The rings were right where she had left them!
Connie called me back immediately, overjoyed. She thanked me, saying that simply talking through the events and having her memory jogged by my questions had led her to the forgotten spot.
I am just ecstatic her rings were found. It was a long drive, a detailed search, and a disappointing call—but in the end, it was all worth it.
Sometimes, the real reward is simply helping someone find their peace of mind, which in turn helps them unlock the answer that was right in front of them the whole time.
Good things truly do happen to good people.
Do you have a lost item that’s been driving you crazy? Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all it takes!
a genuine family heirloom, lost and, waiting to be rediscovered. This time, the call came from the owner of a 1700s farm property—a beautiful, historic land—who was desperate to find her lost gold wedding ring. This wasn’t just any piece of jewelry; it was a cherished family heirloom. It was 3 generations of women who have had 3 ring soldered together to make 1.
Ryan Pugh, Cody Greenwood
and I, a seasoned team of three determined detectorists, arrived on the property with our coils ready to swing. We were confident, maybe even a little cocky. A small, precious object in a confined area? We’ve had tougher projects.
The Search: A Sweep for the Ghost of Gold
The landowner, a friendly woman with hope in her eyes, walked us through the exact area where she believed the ring had slipped off.
We mapped out a methodical grid, set our detectors to target golden items,” and started our slow, deliberate sweep across the forest floor.
For hours we chased signals, some deep, some shallow, but every one turned out to be a cruel disappointment.
A pull tab, a scrap of foil, a rusted piece of farm equipment. We expanded the search, overlapping our grids, moving onto the hillside from fence lines where the ring was thought to have been lost.
As the sun climbed higher and the sweat started to bead, a difficult reality began to set in.
One by one, our coils fell silent in the area of interest. All three of us, professionals with countless finds under our belts, were forced to admit the unthinkable: we had been completely unsuccessful.
The heirloom ring remained elusive, swallowed by the earth around us. We had been skunked. We had a few pieces of interest, such as an early 1900’s black powder gun striker, still with the flintlock attached.
️ The Console Prize: A Forgotten Foundation
It’s always a tough conversation telling a hopeful landowner that you couldn’t complete the mission. It’s simply a part of the gig, but it never gets easier. However, the land wasn’t done talking yet.
To salvage the day and unwind, we decided to explore a promising area the owner had mentioned—a heavily wooded hill at the back of the property, rumored to be the site of an earlier structure. And that’s where the land gave us its consolation prize.
We quickly located the telltale stone outline of a long-forgotten foundation, and the finds started flowing:
A Relic of Fashion: An antique suspender strap with the buckles still attached! A stunning piece of 19th-century fabric and metal, perfectly preserved by the soil.
Light in the Darkness: A fascinating part from an old lantern, hinting at the life lived here after sundown.
The Signature of History:Loads of square nails, The unmistakable sign of a pre-industrial timber frame structure.
Square nail
The Grand Finale: The find that truly electrified the group, what we think is a beautiful, pitted flintlock mechanism off an old powder musket rifle. A tangible link to the property’s toughest days.
Old Flintlock hammer?
These finds, though not the gold we were after, painted a vivid picture of the lives lived on this isolated hill decades before the main farmhouse was built.
Unwinding and The Next Hunt:
We left the farm with mixed feelings, disappointment over not finding the ring for sure, but a quiet satisfaction over the historical artifacts we rescued. We loaded our gear and headed straight for the nearest pub. “The Firehouse” in Madoc Ontario.
Nothing cures a ‘skunking’ like a proper lunch and a few honest pints.
Over burgers and brews, we recounted the day’s signals and marvelled at the finds we did make. It was a reminder that this isn’t just a search for treasure, or a ring recovery, it’s a search for stories.
The gold ring is still out there. Will we go back? You bet we will! But until then, we’ll clean our finds, raise a glass to the history we did uncover, and keep our coils swinging.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Be sure to subscribe for more stories like this one in the near future.
There’s nothing quite like the frantic feeling of realizing something precious has slipped away. For Margery, that moment of panic happened on a recent day at Lake Ontario Park after her wedding band came off while she was taking the leash off her dog.
She and her husband spent significant time searching the area with no luck. That’s when Margery took to the internet and thankfully found the Kingston Ring Recovery Service!
A Call for Help
The call came late on Thursday evening, around 8:30 PM, while I was still at work. Early Friday morning, Margery followed up with a text, and I let her know I could be there around noon.
I had been planning a detecting mission with my friend Ryan Pugh at his favorite private permission, but a recovery is always the top priority. Margery’s need for help was immediate, so I asked Ryan to join me on the recovery mission first, and then we’d head to the old schoolhouse.
Ryan and I met Margery and her husband at noon. They walked us over to the suspected drop zone, explaining how they believed the ring came off right in that spot.
The Search and the Sweet Surprise
Ryan and I quickly got to work, starting a methodical grid search of the area they marked out. After about 20 minutes of sweeping the ground, we hadn’t found the ring. The anxiety was palpable, and everyone, including us, was starting to worry the ring might have been lost to the park forever.
I stopped and leaned on my Minelab Manticore to explain to Margery that we hadn’t located it yet, but we’d give the grid one more pass. It was in that exact moment, right where I was standing, that my Manticore gave me the sweet, solid tone I was hoping for! The VDI was a steady 26—the clear signal of a valuable metal.
While still talking to Margery, I subtly moved the coil over the spot again to confirm and discreetly bent down. There it was: a beautiful golden ring with a silver band around it.
Holding it in my hand, I realized Margery hadn’t noticed a thing. I decided to have a little fun with the reveal.
”Margery,” I asked calmly, “are you absolutely positive you lost the ring in the spot you marked for us, or is it possible you lost it in a spot like the one right here where we’re standing?”
She looked annoyed and confused by my silly question, understandably so, and asked, “Why?”
“Because,” I replied, “this spot is where I found your ring.”
The look on Margery’s face was absolutely priceless. Her confusion instantly melted into pure relief and overwhelming satisfaction. As I handed the ring back, I could see the trust and happiness wash over her.
A short distance away, her husband was standing with their dog. Margery gave him a big thumbs-up, and we could see the huge sigh of relief from him, too.
Onto the Next Adventure
With the ring safe back on Margery’s finger, Ryan and I quickly packed up. It was time for our next adventure: a private permission to search the grounds of an old schoolhouse from 1874.
( Be sure to check out my YouTube videos for updates on there Recoveries and detecting adventures
It was a great reminder that while finding history is fun, nothing beats the feeling of returning something truly irreplaceable to its owner.
If you or someone you know has lost a valuable metal item, don’t lose hope! Contact the Kingston Ring Recovery Service immediately. The sooner you call, the better the chance for a successful recovery.
What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?
Starting Kingston and Ontario Ring Recovery Services (KORRS) has been an incredible journey. It’s about more than just the thrill of the hunt; it’s about helping people in our community during what can be a really stressful time. But, like any new venture, it’s come with its own set of challenges.
One of the biggest hurdles has been getting the word out. Ring recovery isn’t something people think about until they need it, so building awareness has been key. We’ve tried local community boards and groups, connecting with related businesses, and even starting a YouTube channel to showcase our work.
Speaking of YouTube, that’s been a challenge in itself! Creating engaging content that keeps people coming back is tough. We’ve focused on metal detecting in general, especially at historical sites from the 1800s and earlier, and of course, our ring recovery videos. People seem to really connect with the emotional side of recoveries, so we’re trying to highlight that more.
Building a reputable business takes time, but the rewards are immense. The look on someone’s face when we return a lost ring? That makes all the hard work worth it. We’re passionate about what we do, and we’re committed to serving our community.
What challenges have you faced in building a business or pursuing a passion? Share your stories in the comments below!
At Kingston and Ontario Ring Recovery Services (KORRS), our mission is simple: to bring lost treasures home. Most often, that treasure is one of the most sentimental items a person can own—a wedding band, an engagement ring, a class ring, or a family heirloom.
We know that when you contact us, you’re often feeling distressed. You’ve lost something irreplaceable, and you’re placing your trust in us to find it.
We want to be upfront: “not every search is successful”.
The truth is, metal detecting is a hobby, based on science, skill, and sometimes, a little bit of luck. Rings can be buried too deep, hidden under layers of debris, picked up by others, or lost in areas that are simply too vast or dangerous to thoroughly cover.
We have recently had several calls which we did not even attempted to try because the risks were too great.
A wedding ring lost in over 80ft depth of water. Our divers would not risk diving at that depth for a chance to look for a needle in a haystack, and although the person who dropped the ring was upset about this, it was the right call to make IMO
The Real Success Rate
However, what we want you to know is that many, many times, we are successful in our recovery attempts. Our dedicated team of detectorists—who are part of a network built on proven skill and a passion for ethical recovery—have developed years of experience in reading the land, understanding how objects move in sand, water, and soil, and using the very best equipment.
Every call is answered with enthusiasm, and every search is approached with the same level of commitment, whether it’s for a diamond ring or a simple key.
Why We Love What We Do
So, why do we dedicate our time to searching, even knowing that sometimes we may come up empty-handed?
The Look on Your Face: Nothing compares to the look of pure relief and joy when we hand a ring back to its rightful owner. -That moment, -that hug, -those tears of happiness, -that sincere handshake is our ultimate reward.
Connecting with Community: Our service is about more than just finding metal; it’s about connecting with people in our community when they need a hand. It reinforces the value of kindness and service.
The Thrill of the Challenge: Every lost ring presents a unique puzzle. Where was it lost? How long ago? What are the conditions? Solving that puzzle and hearing that clear signal that tells us we’ve found it is an incredible feeling for any detectorist.
When you call KORRS, AKA ORRS, you’re not just hiring someone with a metal detector; you’re engaging a dedicated team that is driven by the pure joy of making a difference in your life. We may not find every ring, but we promise to try our absolute best on every single call.
At Kingston Ontario Ring Recovery, we pride ourselves on helping people retrieve their lost treasures, and our recent experience with the Johnson family was a perfect example of why our work is so meaningful.
This past week, Ryan Pugh and I, James Mathias, received a heartfelt call from a family friend, Cathy, regarding her son Patrick, who had lost his wedding ring while tending to his yard. This Ring had belonged to Patrick’s Grandfather (AKA Cathys father.
Cathy reached out to us in distress after Patrick had lost his wedding ring in the front yard. While cutting down some plants, he inadvertently tossed the clippings onto the lawn, and in the process, his precious wedding ring slipped off and vanished among the grass. As many of you know, a wedding ring is not just a piece of jewelry; it’s a cherished symbol of love and commitment that holds great emotional value.
After receiving the call from Cathy, the next day, Ryan and I arrived at the property, ready to assist in any way we could. Armed with our new Minelab Manticore metal detectors and a shared determination to reunite Patrick with his lost heirloom, we got to work.
Ryan quickly employed his expertise, scanning the area where the ring was most likely to have fallen. We had both envisioned a quick & successful recovery.
Within a short period, Ryan’s metal detector beeped—a promising sound that filled us with hope.
With a bit of careful separation of some grass blades, Ryan revealed the shiny wedding ring from the grass. It was a moment of triumph, and we could hardly wait to share the good news with Cathy and Patrick. To make the reunion even more special, we set up a video call with Patrick, so he could witness the moment live.
As we presented the ring to Cathy, her joy was unmistakable. It was a heartwarming scene as Patrick’s excitement echoed through the video call. With hugs and tears of happiness, we wrapped up this emotional reunion, knowing that we had restored a piece of their family history.
Conclusion
At Kingston Ontario Ring Recovery services, we understand the importance of such sentimental items and the impact that their loss can have on individuals and families. Our mission is to bring closure and joy by expertly locating and returning these precious belongings to their rightful owners.
We are grateful to have been a part of Patrick’s journey and to witness the relief and happiness on his family’s faces. If you find yourself in a similar situation, know that we are here to help. You can contact us any time, and we’ll be ready to assist you in the quest to recover your lost treasures.
For more updates and stories like this, be sure to follow us on our social media platforms and keep visiting our website!
Video on Ryan’s YouTube channel (Hoard Of The Rings)
Ontario’s Ring Recovery Services- Experts In Ring Retrieval. “ BEST” in Ontario 