Inherited Ring!

[Aloros]

I found out over the weekend that I inherited my grandmother''s engagement ring. It''s not huge or anything. There''s a small diamond in the middle, and I think, two teensy diamonds on each side of it. My grandfather proposed without a ring. He was a coal miner and didn''t have much money. My grandmother really wanted a ring, so she took up a part-time job and worked until she could buy herself one.

So what''s the first step? Get it appraised? Insured? I really have no idea. I know I''m hanging out here...but I''ve never owned a diamond before. I''ll try to snap some photos of it, if I can. It''s quite sparkly!

I gave it to my bf, in case he wants to propose with it. I think he may still be stuck on the idea of getting me my "own" ring, but this way is cheaper, and I''d really love to wear my grandmother''s ring as my engagement ring. Anyone else go this route?

 

[Independent Gal]

Congratulations! What a wonderful thing to have. Especially since your grandma worked so hard to earn that ring. Think of the joy that she took in it after earning the money for it herself. That's the most wonderful thing about jewelry: how it takes on aspects of its owners lives and personalities, and then you can hand it along, full of meaning! For posterity.

 

[Kaleigh]

Gotta love those family heirlooms. How special it will be for you to wear your grandma's ring. I'd at least have it checked by a local jeweler to make sure the prongs are secure, etc.. But best to have it appraised for insurance purposes. Oooh, I can't wait to see it. Family heirlooms, get me every time!!

 

[DivaDiamond007]

What - no pictures?! It sounds beautiful and congrats on getting it!

Jess

 

[Aloros]

Ok, so there are three teensy diamonds on each side. Here it is! It''s a little too big for my ring finger, so it''d have to be sized. The sun is going down, but I tried to capture a little of that sparkle. How do ladies drive with these things on? I wore it on my way home, and I swear it was so distracting!

 

[Aloros]

Here''s the side view.

 

[Aloros]

Um...here

 

[Skippy123]

It is beautiful; what a treasure!

 

[monarch64]

Ohhhhh, Aloros, it''s just beautiful! What a fantastic piece of history + heart you have there to cherish forever!

My maternal grandmother''s ring was lent to me as my "something old" on my wedding day...my mother sewed it onto a tiny satin pillow and I *blush* tucked it into my bra/cleavage. I was ordered to give it right back, not kidding, immediately following the ceremony, LOL! Anyway it was lovely, and an antique design like the ring you posted. Have you thought about maybe not getting engaged with this diamond but using it as your "something old?" I can tell you from experience that it is a great reminder of things past and if you chose to do what I did you would have your gram close to your heart when you say your vows...but of course that is for you to decide, I''m only offering opinions/options.

I wouldn''t go re-setting it just yet...definitely have it appraised and maybe insured, and go from there. You are a lucky gal to have acquired this sentimental and gorgeous piece of jewelry!!!

 

[bee*]

I think it''s gorgeous! That''s so great that it''s a family heirloom also.

 

[NYCsparkle]

What a beautiful heirloom. I think its a very sentimental idea to want to wear her ring as your engagement ring. Maybe your bf can propose with that ring and buy you another piece of diamond jewelry...earrings, a pendant,

 

[Delster]

Aloros it''s really beautiful. It looks so delicate and feminine!

I inherited my grandmother''s engagement ring too and I wore it for my call to the bar last month. It was lovely to feel I had a part of her with me in a way. When I asked my Dad if he wouldn''t mind me wearing it that day he got all emotional, he said he thought she would have liked me to wear it. I would definitely wear it on my wedding day, and I would absolutely wear it as my engagement ring. BF insists on buying me ''my own ring'' though - I suppose this way I get two beautiful pieces of jewellery!

If you would prefer to wear your grandmother''s ring over a new ring, I think you should tell your BF. Maybe when you explain the sentimental value he''ll come to like the idea too? And he can always still buy you a blingy wedding band or anniversary ring.......

 

[IrishAngel7982]

Gorgeous heirloom Aloros!!

 

[sleeping beauty]

Aloros, that is such a beautiful hairloom!!!!

 

[chrono]

Aloros,
My first thought was, "ooohhhhhhhhhh, it''s so beautiful". It also has the added emotional ties to it being a heirloom ring. I would suggest a quick trip to the jewellers to check the prongs, integrity of the setting and a good cleanning.

 

[poshpepper]

Its so pretty!!!! I love the kind of flowery design it has.
Maybe if your BF really wants to get you "your own ring" you can wear this one as a RHR...?

Congrats on the old NEW sparklie!!!

 

[Pandora II]

Beautiful.

I really wouldn''t reset this ring - I think the setting adds to the charm and history.

 

[anchor31]

It''s so pretty... I love it, setting and all. Gorgeous heirloom, congrats on getting it!

 

[iheartscience]

The first thing I would do is take it to a jeweler and get the prongs and general integrity of the ring checked and sized. Then I would get it appraised and insured. And then I would start wearing that beautiful ring!

 

[tallblondemonster]

Wow, its beautiful and such a wonderful link to your grandmother!

 

[DiaDiva]

That''s such a beautiful ring!!!! You''re so lucky to have something that belonged to your grandmother....

 

[Aloros]

Thanks for all the compliments! I really was lucky. When we were younger, apparently my sister and I flipped a coin for who was getting my grandmother''s wedding ring, and who was getting the engagement ring. I don''t remember this at all, and my mother didn''t remember who got what, but I have a very honest sister

.

Gosh, it''s even prettier in person. When I''m at my bfs, I keep putting it on and admiring it. I''m a bit of a tomboy, and it makes me feel so delicate and feminine! Of course...I do this when no one is loking.

Plus, I never got to spend as much time with my grandmother as I would have liked, so it really means a lot to me. She was a pretty amazing woman.

Thanks for the advice. I''ll definitely take it to get appraised and check the prongs. Everything looks pretty secure, but better safe than sorry! How would I go about finding an appropriate jeweler? Phonebook?

 

[omieluv]

The ring is so pretty! It's so cool to have a piece of jewelery from a familily member, as it makes you feel closer to them.

I inherited my great grandmother's engagement setting, which I wear as a RHR for special occasions. I never knew my great grandmother, but my mom shared nice stories of her, so when I wear the ring I feel close to her...

 

[DMBsGirl]

Lovely ring!!!

 

[gwendolyn]

Oooh, that is a beauty! Congratulations, honey, that is a lovely keepsake.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 8/9/2007 1:01:27 PM
Author: Aloros
Thanks for all the compliments! I really was lucky. When we were younger, apparently my sister and I flipped a coin for who was getting my grandmother''s wedding ring, and who was getting the engagement ring. I don''t remember this at all, and my mother didn''t remember who got what, but I have a very honest sister

.

Gosh, it''s even prettier in person. When I''m at my bfs, I keep putting it on and admiring it. I''m a bit of a tomboy, and it makes me feel so delicate and feminine! Of course...I do this when no one is loking.

Plus, I never got to spend as much time with my grandmother as I would have liked, so it really means a lot to me. She was a pretty amazing woman.

Thanks for the advice. I''ll definitely take it to get appraised and check the prongs. Everything looks pretty secure, but better safe than sorry! How would I go about finding an appropriate jeweler? Phonebook?

Phonebook is probably fine, I would just look for someone who specializes in estate and antique pieces so you have a jeweler who has experience in dealing with this type of thing.