to keep this inheritance, even though it's worth far more than I thought?

[Helenagrace]

Bit of background first. My Grandmother promised me her wedding ring for years. When she died her daughters handed me a bag of jewellery, but not the wedding ring. I wasn't that bothered as I'm not quite sure what I'd have done with the ring anyway. The daughters kept her pearl necklaces, all the gold and her engagement ring as well as my great-grandmother's wedding and engagement rings. My grandmother didn't leave a will.

I've been wearing a few bits of my grandmother's jewellery but one pair of earrings was damaged. I assumed they were costume pieces (albeit very nice ones) and asked a jeweller to see if he could repair them as they had sentimental value.

The jeweller has repaired the earrings. He also valued them as he realised they weren't costume. It appears that I have accidentally inherited two beautiful pearls and 2 carats of diamonds set in platinum. They are worth around £3000 but I have been advised to insure them for double that. I love pearls and will treasure them and wouldn't want to sell them. I plan to wear them to my brother's wedding next month.

My DH now thinks I should ask the two daughters (my aunts) what they think. I think I should keep them and say nothing. My mother agrees with mebut she's always believed my aunts are money-grabbing anyway.

So am I unreasonable for wanting to keep them? What should I do?

Trust your instincts keep quiet they gave you them , if they were that bothered then they could have checked them and kept them, finders keepers I say.

keep them. they obviously did not carry out your grandmothers wishes and should be ashamed of themselves.

They kept what they wanted and gave you what they did not. I don't think there is anything wrong with not telling them. For me it would depend on what my relationship with them was like.

I personally wouldn't say anything imo

I would keep them. Your grandmother was clear in her wishes that you should have a piece of jewellery from her - and one that mattered, seeinfpg as she specified her wedding ring. You didn't get that, but you did get something you like and enjoy wearing; and which all parties were happy for you to have.

The value is immaterial. Except insofar as you may need to extend your insurance.

What's you ask? They gave you thing that belonged to your GM. Why shouldn't you have them just because they are worth more than you thought?

Keep them, they gave them to you afterall.

Your Aunts didn't behave with much integrity so I wouldn't bother them with the trifling valuation.

You DARE tell the moneygrabbing aunts and you'll have me to answer to! :o

Keep them.

You've mo need to say anything, except thank you to granny.

Keep them. Your aunts haven't acted very well at all and your grandmother wanted you to have something. Am I right in thinking that what it adds up to is that they kept all the obviously valuable stuff (and will pass it on to their children?) and gave you what they thought was costume jewellery?
Ha!

I would tell them... Just to see the look of horror on their faces

GM - yes that would be fun BUT the value of the property should have been counted in with the value of the estate and it most likely hasn't been and so I suspect the increase in value could cause a few problems. More for the aunts than the op but probably not worth stirring up trouble.

They sound beautiful!

Your aunts went against your grandmother's express wishes and obviously gave you what they thought were the worthless dregs of her jewellery collection. Of course you shouldn't give them back, they are rightfully yours.

I wouldn't tell the aunts if I were you. If they are ruthless enough to keep the ring, they might come up with some story/excuse why the earrings have to be returned. Instead, every time you see them, smile knowingly and hum the following tune under your breath:

Dont tell them. Just enjoy smiling graciously at them, at your DBs wedding next year, while wearing your lovely valuable earrings.

I would just keep them.

But re wedding ring-she told OP that that was what she wanted, but did she tell her daughters?

They were under no obligation to give OP anything from what I can see.

you shouldn't tell them, and you should keep them.

you were promised the wedding ring, which they did not give you.

you have done nothing wrong, underhand or naughty. You were given that bag of jewellery, which you accepted in good faith.
Ther is no question of morals here - everything is above board.

I agree with everyone else. Why is your DH on the daughters side?!

No it's good, good karma (if you like)!!!

Brilliant...

You keep them, treasure them and enjoy them!

Another one saying to keep them.They gave them to you. Just out of interest, is this your dads mum or mums mum who died? Did your dad/mum get anything from their parent or did the siblings take the lot?

I wouldn't say anything. Enjoy your earrings .

I was promised some jewellery which someone else got who doesn't care about it. I won't do anything about it but it was a sentimental issue for me, not monetary.

Thank you everyone!

They are beautiful earrings and I'm going to say nothing and keep them.

Dh isn't necessarily on their side - he was just worried that if they found out later they'd be demanding them back. It was my dad's mum who died. We had an equal split of the estate but the sisters kept all the jewellery they thought was valuable. Yes I pretty much got the dregs...or maybe not .

oh and I forgot to add that the aunts did know about my granny's wishes regarding the ring - she'd told everyone who'd listen for years and years.

My aunty left me a ring which her daughter kept-I asked for the empty ring box in which aunty had written my name but I didnt get that either!!