Would police act over a ring recognised in Instagram photos years later

[Bewilderedstupidme]

3 years ago my dd went to an event. She stayed with a friend of a friend, as the event was very far from where dd studied and lived. After her stay (it was a fancy dress event) her grandmother's very expensive ring was stolen (my dd kept it in her makeup bag). My dd asked me not to start the fuss - common friends at uni - as she had no proof. Now after 3 years this girl is posting pictures of herself at parties and I can clearly see the ring in the picture - it is an old gypsy-set ring with Kashmiri sapphires, the stones are large. Unfortunately, apart from hallmarks there are no identifying marks, like initials or anything, but I have a photo of myself wearing that ring 20 years ago. Do you think I can go to the police? Or at least make a report? My dd is no longer in contact with the thief, she was furious. What do I do? The pictures on Instagram are, to other people, only partially identifiable, like she is not sticking her hand out like in engagement photos, but I can see it is my mum's ring. I live in a different country from where it was stolen.

Can you prove ownership? has it ever been valued or do you have paperwork for it? Was the theft reported at the time?

You can report it now but even if the girl is spoken to she could say the ring was gifted to her by your DD. It’s one word against the other.

I have a photo of 20 years ago, where I wear the ring, it is 2 words against 1 word as the other friend said the girl is question is a thief and stole her dress as well.

I would report it and share the photos etc.

They might, no harm in trying.

You or dd could contact her with the photo of you wearing the ring and just ask her to return it.

Take screenshots of the pictures first! They will be the first thing to disappear.

Then absolutely do it!

I know it sounds petty, but when I see my mum's ring on that excuse of a human being - I get so upset. Also, to be so devious as to keep it under the wraps for 3 years and now so confident that all is forgotten - my dd cut contact with her, as the other friend after the dress fiasco, 2.5 years ago, they are not longer in touch.

Share the photos with whom? Sorry to be dense.

Not sure if this would be the right thing to do - it depends on how far the police would take it based on the evidence you have - but you could contact the friend say you have seen the photos which are evidence she stole the ring and will be going to the police unless she returns the ring straight away. She may be worried enough about police involvement eg that she could lose her job that she complies. If the police are willing to turn up and search her house before she gets chance to dispose of it then that would be the best thing but would they be able to get a warrant based on your evidence? Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will comment.

You’ve nothing to lose by contacting the Police. However, before you do I would get all your evidence in order. Photos of yourself and your DD (if you have the latter) wearing the ring. Statements from your DD’s friends at the time who can confirm the ring was lost/taken and where they were. If you have a will where it was bequeathed to you and or any insurance claim that should also be gathered.

In short you want as much proof as possible that the ring was yours/your DD’s, that it was lost/stolen and where.

I’d personally be wary of saying this woman stole it, you can’t prove that. All you can say is that it was taken and she now has it and you would like it returned.

After all this time, all she has to say is that she found it and did not know who it belonged to or that it was valuable.

Bringing issues like the dress into it won’t help.

Focus on getting the ring back first and foremost.

I wouldn’t tip her off. She can easily just get rid of it and say she found it then threw it away.

Take screenshots of her wearing it and then contact the Police and stress the main concern is getting the ring returned to the family.

Sorry just to add it’s not helpful that your DD didn’t report it stolen at the time, hence needing to tread carefully.

I think you’re much more likely to get it back by taking the line that at this point you just want it returned to the family, irrespective of how the woman in question “found” it.

Thank you all so much.