Are 1940s diamond rings worth anything?

[Stupidstupidcow]

I urgently need to scrape some money together after seriously damaging my car today. DH is furious. The only thing I have that’s of any possible value is my Nan’s engagement ring. It’s a diamond ring from the 1940s and is of incomparable sentimental value to me but I think I’m going to have to accept that I need to let it go. Are standard diamond engagement rings from that era worth anything much? The replacement value when I had it adjusted (I wear it myself) was £1000 but I realise that’s likely to be a lot more than what I’d get if I sold it.

Car insurance?

I may be wrong but I understand unless they are a particularly good/large stone that could be sold as a stone the resale value of them is often pretty naff.

I don’t think the insurance will cover it.

It depends on the quality of the stone and the setting more than the age.

But will your car insurance not cover the damage? Accidents happen.

Sad to say but you will probably get very little for it, way way less than the sentimental value.

Don’t sell it. I don’t think you’d get more than a few hundred for it, and you’d have lost a special ring. I like vintage jewellery and follow a few dealers on insta, but unless the diamonds are amazing, the rings they sell are usually pretty cheap. Could you get a loan instead?

Your DH may be furious but its a car. No-one was injured why should you give up something so precious to you. Do you have insurance?

@Lastqueenofscotland2 yeah I’ve got a horrible feeling that’s the case.

Please don't sell your Gran's ring! It is of incomparable value, so is worth so much more than a damaged car. Look into a credit card or use your insurance. Take the no claim hit if need be. It won't be forever. Do not let your DHs bad mood (my car fussy DH would be the same) prompt you to do something you will regret.

Have you spoken to your insurance company?

At least investigate your options through your insurance. Is your worry that they'll write it off?

I agree with pp that a credit card would be an easier way to cover the cost otherwise. You won't get much at all for the ring, nowhere near enough to make it the best option.

I’m guessing you’ve dinged the car or scraped it? Are you ok? That sort of thing can really shake you up, and it sounds like your DH isn’t very sympathetic.

don’t sell the ring. Cars last a few years and they are gone, you can’t replace a family heirloom.

Both my DH and me have dinged cars in the past - all our own fault. Wouldn’t occur to either of us to be angry. Accidents happen and cars are only metal.

Surely you claim on the insurance? You would need to ask a jeweller about its value, but it may not be as much as you would hope, and it’s obviously of great sentimental value to you.

Please don't sell the ring, I have my Nans engagement ring, probably worthless but means a lot to me so I understand how you feel. Regarding the car, is it driving or damage beyond use?

One of my biggest regrets is selling my GM's engagement ring, also to repair my car. It went to auction and got the princely sum of £280. At the time I desperately needed the money so had to do it, but I wish I hadn't. Is there no other way you can raise the money OP?

Ask a family member to lend you the money written agreement and pay for it back in bits? Or insurance ?!! That’s what it is there for!

Don't sell the ring.

It's just a car and you aren't injured.

Ps also think do you need to repair it a dent is a dent! I have a dent makes someone less likely to Nick it I think?

DH is livid. He was already super stressed about various things and this was the icing on the cake. He’s really angry with me because it was a fucking stupid mistake on my part.

i drove over a high kerb, trying to avoid a bus that was struggling to manoeuvre past me on a narrow road. I didn’t realise anything catastrophic had happened until DH drove the car this evening. It’s 100% my fault .

SHe said she seriously damaged the car. Not dented it.

What's the issue with claiming on your insurance?

Please don't sell.
I have a passion for old jewellery and although I love buying and hearing the history it's also heartbreaking.
As a general rule insurers often value x3 or x4 over the actual value. This is because they take into account the cost of sourcing new materials, craftsmanship and VAT to replace a like for like.
It means that something valued at £1000 for insurance is likely to be worth £250-350.
Jewellers buy cheap and then sell themselves for a substantial profit (as they have overheads) so true value is always difficult.
If you post a picture I could give a rough estimate but honestly, don't sell it.

Dh can do one. It's a car accident, you have insurance right? So no needs to sell your Nan's ring,

Oh OP, please don't sell the ring, your insurance will cover this if you have fully comp cover. Don't let your husband bully you into doing something you will regret.

i drove over a high kerb

Let me guess... smashed oil sump? Lost the intercooler scoop? Wrecked the exhaust?