A coronavirus-shuttered jewelry store buried its remaining inventory across Michigan to launch a statewide treasure hunt

• Johnny and Amy Perri, owners of J & M Jewelers in Washington Township, Michigan, buried about $1 million in jewelry to create a state-wide treasure hunt.
• They were inspired by antique collector Forrest Fenn, whose treasure was found in the Rocky Mountains this year after a decade-long hunt.
• Pieces of the Perris' treasure, which includes vintage engagement rings, gold, silver, precious coins, and more, have been buried from Detroit in Southeastern Michigan all the way up to the Upper Peninsula.

A jewelry store in Michigan that was forced to close permanently during the coronavirus pandemic has buried its remaining inventory in multiple locations, hoping to launch a statewide treasure hunt.

Johnny and Amy Perri, owners of J & M Jewelers in Washington Township, told WXYZ that they buried about $1 million in valuables, scattered between Detroit in southeastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

They said they buried vintage engagement rings, gold, silver, precious coins, and more, attaching a GPS tracker to each so they can tell when they're found. The Perris are selling $49 tickets to participate in the treasure hunt, which they've named Johnny's Adventure Quest. Those who participate in the hunt, which starts on August 1, will receive clues for different regionally specific hunts.

According to a website for the treasure hunt, all items will be buried under places marked with "X."

Those who find treasure can either keep it or sell it back to the Perris for a predetermined price.

---

Johnny Perri told WXYZ that a lot of the items he buried were passed down from his late father.

"He would think I'm nuts," he said. "But he'd be all for it. He was a big giver." On the website, Johnny Perri said he was inspired by antique collector Forrest Fenn, whose treasure was found in the Rocky Mountains this year after a decade-long hunt.

"I've always dreamed of searching for that myself but never had the time. What Mr. Forrest Fenn really wanted is what I found to be most unmistakably true," he wrote. "It was getting off the couch and out of the house and adventuring outdoors. So that is exactly what we did. I began traveling up and down pure Michigan with my fiancé. We went through woods, rivers, streams, mountains, and waterfalls. We even got married!"

• Read more:
• A $1 million treasure chest hidden in the Rocky Mountains has finally been found after a decade-long search
• What the pirates in movies actually looked like in real life
• Scientists just discovered a sunken ship from 1708, and the loot is worth $17 billion today
• A submarine has discovered the 310-year-old 'holy grail' of shipwrecks, and it may carry $17 billion in treasure