A talented treasure hunter found a lost engagement ring on Jones Beach's West End last month after the couple and their friends spent a week of searching for it.

John and Maria Coccaro, who have been married for 31 years, spent the day fishing with friends on July 15 at the Inlet. It wasn't until the next day that Maria realized her ring was gone.

After hearing of Maria's failed searches Joe Priante, an experienced beach treasure hunter, volunteered to search with his professional grade metal detector. He says in just a few minutes, he got a hit near the waterline and started digging six inches under the sand until he found the ring.

“I literally turned to him and he was holding the ring and we were both in shock,” said Maria. “I'm pretty sure I screamed something and then basically cried.”

Maria Coccaro says she will be much more careful next time she goes fishing at the beach or anywhere else.