I don't own much in material things that I would call valuable -- although probably in comparison with 3rd World countries almost everything I own would be called valuable. But in comparison with most of America I'm pretty average.
However when my mother passed away about ten years ago, my sister and I found among her things this ring with a note attached:
The photograph makes them look like large diamonds but believe me they are not. However, there are two things which make me wonder just how valuable this ring is. The note attached to the ring stated that this was my grandmother's engagement ring. Since this grandmother married in 1912, that makes the ring at least 100 years old.
The other thing is that I know that diamonds mined before a certain date are called old mine diamonds and this ring is definitely from before that date, so they are probably old mine diamonds which are more valuable than newer ones.
As you can see, there is one small diamond missing, so that would bring the value down.
Naturally the ring is in a bank lock box -- just in case it is worth something. But I took it out and photographed it a few years ago to see if I could find out its value. That's when I discovered that it was going to cost me more to have it valued than it was probably worth!
Ah well, in the vault it will stay, and any dreams of great wealth I may have are locked in with it.
This, post is my submission to ABC Wednesday, the wonderful project founded by Mrs. Nesbitt and continued by Roger Owen Green. It has been through the alphabet 11 times and we are coming up to the end of this round. Why don't you visit the ABC Wednesday blog and see other intriguing entries by clicking HERE and consider joining us for the next round, soon to be coming up?
15 comments:
I did not know about old mine diamonds; maybe a friendly jeweler would give you an estimate just from a glance at your ring. I took my wedding ring in to be resized and the jeweler gave me a rough estimate at no extra charge. How great to have this memento of your grandma's.
When Lorne and I get married (heaven only knows when that will be), I am going to wear my grandmother's original wedding ring with 6 small diamonds across the band. I wonder what it's worth $-wise, not that it matters as I love the ring itself and its history.
Leslie
abcw team
Beautiful ring and sentimental value means more to me ~ yet would be worth an appraisal ~ Good choice for ABC ~ ^_^
(A Creative Harbor) aka, artmusedog and Carol ^_^
I had never heard of old mine diamonds. The sentiment is just wonderful, vintage means the most to me and this is so great that it was your grandmothers.
Ann
Value is what you feel about it. But it is vintage, for sure!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
I really like Roger's thought. Valuable...and Vintage..it can be one or both.
It's a beautiful ring. Don's mothers wedding ring was passed down to one of our daughters, and my mom's wedding ring will go to another.. I'm still wearing it.
I agree with Roger but one way you might find out for fun is to go the Antique Roadshow. I have a friend who found out some old jewelry was quite valuable there. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
I'd never heard that about old vs new diamonds. Interesting! Of course, the ring is only worth money if you sell it. A price can't be put on heirloom pieces that hold wonderful memories! I love the style and would probably wear it in memory of my grandmother if it were mine! :-)
I inherited a bracelet from my grandmother. It is a low-grade silver and a bit of glass and worth about 2 dollars! But it was my grandmother's and I have her name, so even if I hardly wear it, it is still quite valuable to me!
A Very good V. Maybe it is Very Valuable and you could Verify its Verisimilitude.
PS The most important thing when valuing jewellery is the hallmark. This both confirms the date and the quality of the metal it is made from. Also the maker, which can be very significant to collectors. I imagine you will not want to part with it since it has more sentimental value to you than any monetary value and should you find it is extremely valuable, you can find that more disturbing than not knowing at all.
I am intrigued by your choice of "V" today. I am wearing my mother-in-laws rings, which I had appraised and learned that they are indeed VALUABLE. Some stones were lost and I had then replaced by a reputable jeweler. No lockbox for me! I want everyone to see and admire these rings. I encourage you to wear your ring...what are you saving it for?? There's no second act for any of us so enjoy that fabulous, VIBRANT ring!!
Such a precious find!
V is for..
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
I am happy that you put the photograph of your ring out there for all of us to treasure along with you. It really is lovely, and as others have noted, way more precious that whatever monetary value could be assigned to it.
Just to add to your comment about The Messiah, it was most interesting to think about Charles Jennens, the librettist whose theological views drove the work. You inspired me (again) to look him up and to find out a bit more about him. Thank you! Also, Bill started me on the idea of listening to it as a tradition. I think it is a lovely one. I will think of you on Christmas Eve and image the sound (and spirit) flowing through your household :)
this was an interesting post!. It's a pretty ring and probably is worth quite a bit.
It's a beautiful ring, why don't you wear it. Any jewelry shop can give you an approx value of the ring and that doesn't cost anything !
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