Diamonds are man’s closest ally.
In October, a 37-year-old treasure hunter using a metal detector on Hammock Beach in St. Augustine, Florida uncovered a $40,000 wedding band.
Joseph Cook released a video of himself enthusiastically excavating for a ring that he originally mistook for a coin.
In the video, Cook can be heard saying, “No way, dude, whoa, look at that bad boy, holy crap, yo that’s genuine, I swear to God this is the largest diamond I’ve ever discovered on the beach.”
When I originally discovered it, I assumed it was a nickel, but when I dug it out, it turned out to be a large, antique diamond and platinum ring.
Cook placed the video online immediately in an effort to locate the owner of the missing wedding band.
“When I took it to a jeweler, they told me it was worth $40,000,” the Florida resident recalled. I couldn’t believe it when I remarked, “Oh my gosh, that’s been sitting in my scooter for about a week.”
After two weeks, Cook started receiving calls from an unidentified number. Initially ignoring the calls, he quickly discovered that it was the ring’s proprietors.
Joseph Cook released a video of himself enthusiastically excavating for a ring that he originally mistook for a coin.
Michael Cook / SWNS
“They told me it was worth $40,000 when I went to the jeweler,” he remembered. I couldn’t believe it when I remarked, “Oh my gosh, that’s been sitting in my scooter for about a week.”
Michael Cook / SWNS
After two weeks, Cook started receiving calls from an unidentified number. Initially ignoring the calls, he quickly discovered that it was the ring’s proprietors.
Michael Cook / SWNS
In October, a 37-year-old treasure hunter using a metal detector on Hammock Beach in St. Augustine, Florida uncovered a $40,000 wedding band.
Michael Cook / SWNS
“They were ecstatic; the wife was on a Facetime call when she said, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it,’ and then she burst into tears,” remembered Cook.
The treasure hunter reported that three weeks after discovering the missing ring, the owners visited him at Hammock Beach.
Cook stated, “I’ve returned sixty thousand dollars worth of items this year, but nothing like to this previously.”
Cook stated that the ring’s owners contacted him at Hammock Beach three weeks after he discovered the ring.
Michael Cook / SWNS
“I’ve returned sixty thousand dollars’ worth of items this year, but nothing comparable to this,” he stated.
Michael Cook / SWNS
Because he believes in karma, the treasure seeker stated he wasn’t angry about returning the ring.
Michael Cook / SWNS
He said that everyone was inquiring about his award.
Michael Cook / SWNS
Cook stated that returning the ring did not bother him since he believes in karma.
“I’ve returned sixty thousand dollars’ worth of items this year, but nothing comparable to this,” he stated. I have a necklace with approximately twenty-five to thirty rings on it simply so I can return them to their owners, so I wasn’t upset that I had to return it.
“Karma is always positive,” he explained. “Each time I return an item, I discover something better, therefore I’m glad I can return it.”