Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I inherited a ring. How can I tell what the stone is?

208 replies

PlaymobilPirate · 19/01/2019 21:38

It was my grandmother's - she'll have got engaged 1940s I think but I've no idea whether it's as old as that or whether she replaced her original.

I think it's cubic or glass but it glowed blue under uv lights today when I got my nails done and heard that might mean it's real?

It's hugely sentimental so I'm only bothered in case I need to insure it. Would glass still be very shiny after all these years?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Mulberryandthyme · 20/01/2019 10:37

I had all my jewellery valued by Ernest Jones. It gets sent away to be valued so it's not done by someone who works in the shop. However, before they took the items to be valued the manager looked at the diamond items to check they were really diamonds (so I didn't waste my money sending off costume jewellery). They were really helpful. Interestingly, a ring I had inherited from a great aunt had real diamonds, but a paste emerald.

sashh · 20/01/2019 10:44

If you have to go to a chain then Goldsmiths have a machine of some type. They had to change it when diamonique came out.

Glowing blue - I'd go for a diamond and a good one. I remember the diamonds in Amsterdam glowing.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 20/01/2019 10:45

Most jewellers ( even high street ones) or pawnbrokers will have a diamond test machine in store.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing
kaytee87 · 20/01/2019 10:56

I reckon it's a real diamond in a platinum setting with an 18 carat gold band. Beautiful ring.

RagingWhoreBag · 20/01/2019 10:57

I took my mum’s ring in to be resized so I could wear it. I’d been waiting to get engaged but then thought sod it, I don’t need a man to tell me I’m worth marrying to wear my mum’s beautiful ring!

While I was having it resized I asked the jeweller if it was worth anything, as I presumed it was costume jewellery (I’m not really a jewellery person so had no idea what was valuable),

He had a good old look, said it was Edwardian, and worth “about 4 - 4 and a half”. I said “hundred?” He replied “Erm no, thousand”. ConfusedShock

Trouble is, now I daren’t wear it - I’d have been upset to lose it anyway as it was constantly on my mums hand so has great sentimental value. But knowing it’s also so valuable I tend to only wear it occasionally and keep checking it hasn’t come off!! (It’s pretty tight so unlikely to come off, but I’m paranoid). I’m also a Primark girl so I feel a bit silly with my £25 outfit and my 4 grand ring!

I won’t ever sell it, so it’s almost a bad thing that it’s so valuable - first world problems!

kaytee87 · 20/01/2019 10:59

@RagingWhoreBag honestly I think you're less likely to lose a ring if you just keep it on your finger all the time (as long as it fits snugly).

retainertrainer · 20/01/2019 11:07

Raging-you should wear it, every single day. Get it insured and then enjoy it. Makes me sad to think of a beautiful piece of jewellery that you love,sitting in a draw for its life.

RagingWhoreBag · 20/01/2019 11:08

Good point kaytee - it’s currently on the kitchen windowsill on a little ring holder where I took it off to wash up. Quite likely it could get knocked off into the sink and go down the plug hole - I’m going to rescue it and put it on ASAP!!

Springmachine · 20/01/2019 11:09

I'm thinking diamond!
How exciting!

It's gorgeous.

TheSassyAssassin · 20/01/2019 11:12

Also think diamond. Stunning ring. And lovely piece of family history to have on your finger OP. Looking forward to the update Smile

Pinkywoo · 20/01/2019 11:13

@Widgeon the table looks high because it's an old round cut, rather than a modern brilliant cut, and yep it looks real to me!

RagingWhoreBag · 20/01/2019 11:17

Rescued!

(This is where one of the experts on this thread comes on and tells me it’s not a real diamond Grin )

I inherited a ring. How can I tell what the stone is?
RagingWhoreBag · 20/01/2019 11:19

I tend to wear it to the cinema as they have sparkly marble flooring and spotlights to make it sparkle, so it looks beautiful there! Funny thing is, the cheaper the restaurant the better it looks too - McDonalds and KFC have super bright lighting so it really sparkles in there Grin. I’m clearly not cut out to be a diamond girl.

kaytee87 · 20/01/2019 11:22

I never take my ring off to wash up or wash my hands. Gold and diamonds are tough materials.

kaytee87 · 20/01/2019 11:24

Rings*

ApolloandDaphne · 20/01/2019 11:26

That is a beautiful ring OP. I am also guessing it is the real deal

Almostfifty · 20/01/2019 11:29

It's lovely OP, I would get it cleaned, valued and the settings checked. You'd hate to lose the stone because it's not in correctly.

I have my Gran's opal ring but sadly can't wear it anymore as it needs re-setting and they think it may break.

One day when I can afford it I'll have it done properly and wear it all the time. Till then I just take it out and look at it.

LadyFlumpalot · 20/01/2019 11:36

This is a close up of the hallmarks inside my late mums wedding ring.

I have found a website which tells you the meaning of the hallmarks (second picture).

I would very much guess your ring is the real deal OP.

I inherited a ring. How can I tell what the stone is?
I inherited a ring. How can I tell what the stone is?
OrcinusOrca · 20/01/2019 11:41

Beautiful ring. I've never seen one like it before. Loving all the photos on this thread.

3luckystars · 20/01/2019 11:52

I am not into jewellery at all, I am very fair and it just doesnt suit me, but the rings on this thread are gorgeous!
@RagingWhoreBag that setting is so unusual.

Its such a coincidence to see this thread today, as i have been given a very old ring to get valued and sell, but its so pretty I am falling in love with it.
I was joking with my sister that I am turning into Gollum and will arrive back from the gemologist wearing it (my precious)

Loyaultemelie · 20/01/2019 12:10

My Dh gave me his late DMs ruby and diamond cluster engagement ring. She had saved up and bought it herself as she only had a wedding ring. She didn't earn much so we were shocked when getting it resized the jeweller discretely advised we insure it for 2.5-3k. He also asked Dh did he have the diamond version she had bought later for her other hand I'd so to bring it in because it might need insured for slightly more Shock
I wear them both constantly as we had a break in and the rest of my jewellery was stolen(nothing worth more than £200 so scared to take them off) and I want one to leave each dd.

viques · 20/01/2019 12:15

I would take it to a jeweller if it is of sentimental value because it is worth having the setting checked to make sure all is secure. They can also clean it and value it for you. Worth having done even if it turns out not to be a missing ring from the Crown Jewels!

GunpowderGelatine · 20/01/2019 12:26

OP o inherited a necklace and like you wanted to know the stone. Took it to a jewellers and it WAS glass - not embarrassing, the bloke said it's very common that people do this

rainbowgrimm · 20/01/2019 12:32

What beautiful rings. I have two of my grandmothers, one she found on the floor as a child. She handed it in to the police and when after a period of time it wasn't claimed she was given it to keep.
My Mum lost her engagement ring and she always said she hoped it had been found by a child and it would go on to be treasured and worn like my grandmothers found ring.
My grandmother also used to talk about 'paste' jewellery - does anyone know what that would of been?

kaytee87 · 20/01/2019 12:38

'Paste' jewellery is basically glass with a metallic backing.

Swipe left for the next trending thread