Honeymoon Ring Rescue at Sandbanks
Subtitle: With newlyweds Sam and Valerie flying back to the UK on Monday morning, a lost handmade wedding ring meant an urgent late-night call and a creative rescue mission at Sandbanks Provincial Park.
Recovery Status: FOUND
Location: Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Item: Sam’s Custom Handcrafted Gold Wedding Band
Environment: Deep Dry Beach Sand
Recovery Specialist: Ryan Pugh (Hoard of the Rings / Ontario Ring Recovery Services)
Equipment Used: Minelab Manticore Metal Detector & Pull Tab Gear Heavy-Duty Sand Scoop
Search Time: Under 1 hour
Date of Recovery: August 9, 2026
It’s every vacationer’s nightmare, but especially for a newlywed couple on their honeymoon. Sam and Valerie, visiting Ontario all the way from the UK, found themselves in a panic when Sam realized his custom gold wedding band was gone.
The story behind the rings makes this loss even more personal: Valerie’s father is a jeweler back in the UK who had handcrafted both of their wedding bands. Knowing those irreplaceable rings were separated added immense emotional weight to an already stressful situation.
The sequence of events leading to the loss was all too common, Sam had taken the ring off for safekeeping, placing it inside his hat which was resting on a beach towel. Later, when he shook out the hat, the precious band slipped away, vanishing instantly into the soft, deep sand.
The original distress message came in on Saturday night at 10:00 PM through a referral from fellow detectorist Stephane Coutu. Adding to the immediate hurdle, Ryan Pugh tried to secure a day-use park permit, but Sandbanks was completely booked up for the weekend.
Refusing to let the newlyweds head back across the Atlantic missing such a vital piece of history.
Arrangements were made to meet outside the park boundaries so the couple could bring Ryan inside with them.
Armed with his metal Minelab Manticore detector, Pull Tab Gear, but most importantly, his expertise, Ryan began the grid search in the deep sand against a ticking clock.
Despite the high stakes and the looming Monday morning flight, his detector soon locked onto a solid signal.
Just beneath the surface, his scoop revealed a beautiful, hand crafted custom braided gold band.
The relief was absolute. Thanks to Stephane’s referral, some clever logistical coordination, and Ryan’s swift response, this story features the ultimate happy ending.
Sam and Valerie are heading back to the UK with amazing memories of their Ontario honeymoon and, most importantly, with both of their handmade wedding rings securely back where they belong.
Another successful ring recovery in the books
If you’ve lost a valuable item, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.
(613)-876-8167
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