Man finds 40,000-dollar ring on the beach: what he does next amazes so many
Saint Augustine (USA) - No, he didn't just stumble across this 40,000 US dollar ring (around 38,650 euros) on the beach. Joseph Michael Cook is a highly professional metal detector expert. Nevertheless, the expert was naturally stunned when he discovered the precious piece in the wet sand of Saint Augustine (Florida). But what he did next caused amazement among TikTok users.
In December, Cook published the matching clip. In it, the American proudly holds his find up to the camera. A close-up shows how much the ring sparkles.
This is followed by a time jump: this time the metal detector expert is standing in front of a hotel. A man in a suit comes up to him and shakes his hand. He then calls his wife on video and shows her the ring - her lost wedding ring. Shortly afterwards, tears of joy well up in his wife's eyes.
Cook has actually managed to track down the ring owner's husband. He of course gratefully takes back the expensive find.
The curious clip, which has now been clicked on 4.4 million times, has caused a minor controversy in the comments section. Many users are simply stunned that Cook simply gave the ring back.
But the discoverer went one better. In an interview with Newsweek this week, he explained why he didn't even want a finder's fee.
Viral TikTok video shows the curious story
"I had the ring checked by a jeweler and found out that it was a special diamond and very expensive," Cook told the US magazine.
Instead of enjoying the unexpected windfall, the "man of honor" preferred to search the Internet for the rightful owners.
"I also sent emails and called businesses all over the USA ," Cook said proudly. Finally, after a good month, he was lucky.
"Getting the ring back made me feel so good and made me proud of what I do," he told News magazine.
Incidentally, Cook, who has now found items worth around 250,000 US dollars (241,540 euros), does not want a finder's fee.
"Metal detecting is not about the money for me . It's about the story and helping others. I believe in karma and that great things happen to you when you do good for others," he explains.