Grandma''s Ring Collection

[ringthings]

I found grandma A's ring collection the other day. It brightens my day, in a cheap way. I'm not sure what this stuff is. Cheap GS? LC? Something?

Most of them are labeled 14K, and a few 24K. I'm guessing it's gold-plated. I can't read the markings in them, other than the 14k or 24K. Some of the settings are almost as bad as the "stones." Grandma A would have only had cheap or even imitation stuff, while Grandma B had fewer but real things. I'm glad I found Grandma A's rings, even if they're not "nice." She liked them and they brightened her day just as though they were actual fancy stuff. I thought that was cute.

It reminds me of her. She'd order this stuff from who knows where. Do any of the designs look familiar to you? She'd sometimes give me one, and we'd try different stuff from her jewelry box on while talking or watching TV or just enjoying ourselves. I don't know that I'd wear most of them now since some are other the top, or just plastic-looking, but I'll keep them and enjoy looking at them on occasion. Maybe I'll give them to my future kids or grandkids when they're teenagers one day. I've worn her plain gold wedding band (probably not the original) for years, and can have her diamond engagement ring one day.

I thought about taking one of the rings I didn't like and having the "stones" set into a new silver ring.

 

[junebug17]

I'm glad you found your grandmother's collection Ringsthings, sounds like they bring back nice memories for you...I hate to be a wet blanket, but I don't think pictures of simulated stones are allowed on PS. I just wanted to forewarn you the post may be removed...but I am new to PS, so I don't know for sure, just thought I'd mention it.

ETA: didn't mean to come across as cold-hearted, I know these rings hold a lot of sentimental meaning for you, I shouldn't have said anything.

 

[PuddinheadMcGee]

Having lost my mother and my grandmother with not a single trinket of theirs to hold in my hand, that looks like a priceless treasure to me. You''re very fortunate, and I think they''re all beautiful.

 

[ringthings]

PuddinheadMcGee,

Thanks. I don''t know what they are, but I am glad to have them and have something tangible.
That''s really tough to not have any momentos from them. Do you have any photos or letters? I hope there are those, or at least a lot of vivid memories. Have you ever considered making a photo book or story book about their lives and their stories or family history? I don''t have much from this grandma, other than memories.. and the plain gold wedding band I wear all the time.. so finding anything of hers makes my day.

 

[ringthings]

Here's an old photo of the diamond engagement ring. My mom still has it, but said I can have it to include in my wedding.

She started out with a tiny, tiny diamond engagement ring in the earlier 1900s, and at some point upgraded for their anniversary (after they were married for DECADES and decades) to what appears to be 1/2 carat "tiffany style" ring. Would this have to be later than the 1950s, with the styling of it?

 

[ringthings]

I forgot to include her husband's things. He loved those button covers you put over the arm buttons of dress shirts... what are those called? I'll try to find a few of those and his rings. He had huge rings, I guess from the 1960s or 1970s, from jade or solid, bunky "rock" type stones. While they're not my taste, I'm glad my family has them, and maybe I'll/they'll have a son/grandson/etc. that might like them someday. There is a turquoise one that I like, and I have a class/professional ring of his which is old and special. Ok, I better go gather stuff for another photo op..

 

[Dreamer_D]

Wowee! Such a great collection!

 

[chiquitapet]

What a lovely and special collection!!

 

[motownmama]

I like the 3rd from top on right and left and second from top in the middle...............

(also, if they're plated you'd likely see this rubbed off along the bottom of the shanks - are they? Maybe they aren't plated)

 

[oddoneout]

I'm glad you have some things that are very meaningful for you.

 

[dinamit]

ringthings, what a wonderful collection. It''s lovely that you have all these rings and the memories to go with them.

If I were you, I''d take them (or at least some) to be appraised. I don''t think they are gold plated - usually things that are don''t bear the carat mark. Your grandma''s collection may be (even) more than you think.

dinamit

 

[ringthings]

Dreamer and chiquitapet and oddoneout,
Thanks.

motownmama,
Thanks, those are the exact ones I like too! The one on the right she gave me in high school or around that time. I used to wear it a lot. The middle second from the top is one of the 24k ones.. the stone is a really deep red. I''m not sure what it is, but it''s more dainty than the others. There isn''t any gold rubbed off on them, but not all would have been worn all that often. I''d only assume they were plated since I don''t think she could''ve spent a whole lot on them. A few of the bands appear to have been made in a mold.

dinamit,
Thanks, I wasn''t sure about posting them, since sentiment typically outweighs beauty to me. But, I think some of them are decent looking enough to wear. And, even if I didn''t see her wear them for decades, they do remind me of her. I''m glad I didn''t trash them at some point, just for the memories if nothing else. And I''m glad there are multiple ones, so if I wear one out or loose it, there''s another momento.

That''s good to know about the karat mark. I didn''t realize gold plated wouldn''t usually be marked. I just assumed that knowing what she likely could have spent (not much), and thinking that the setting the band/setting didn''t appear to be intricate or quality enough. (Of course, I''m often wrong about jewelry, so I probably shouldn''t assume anything.) I guess they could be gold, and just have cheap stones. If they''re worth anything, that''s more than I thought already. I wish I could read the other letters on the marking. I am curious what they are, just to know.. I''d be worried the appraisal would cost more than the actual rings. I might look for someone who could do a basic appraisal of the 24k darker red stone just to see what it is. I like the color of that one.

 

[Black Jade]

How lovely to find your grandmother''s jewelry. How fun that it reminds you of her. Enjoy it.

Just a note--I would be surprised if any of the rings are 24K. 24K has a very different look and none of the rings pictured have it. Also, it''s not usually stamped 24K (because it is so recognizable). It might be stamped .9999 sometimes. And it doesn''t hold stones in the same way. I''ve seen it with stones in it (never diamonds) but you have to do bezels or something --its just not as secure for stones. Does the stamping only say 24k? Not 24K electroplate or 24K gf or something?

 

[joelly]

Dang!!! Thats a beautiful collection. Ok, so my fav is the kind-of-purple stone, bottom right. Thats gorgeous!!!!

 

[dinamit]

Oh, I forgot to say that I love the ring on the bottom left, it''s lovely! That one you could definitely wear no problem, it would look great with a LBD if you don''t feel comfortable wearing something like that every day.

dinamit

 

[ringthings]

BlackJade- Thanks, I''ll have to find uses to enjoy them. I can''t read the full stamping. I will get them back out and see if I can see other letters near the 24K. There''s probably 2-3 rings that were 24k marked if I can remember, with the rest 14k. They may be 24k electroplate, or something. I''m (unfortunately) not familiar with 24k or how it should look.

joelly-
Thanks, the purple one is my favorite too. I''m glad it looks ok to other people, too.

dinamit-
Thanks. The bottom left ring is one of the one''s that doesn''t have the same markings as the others. I like the style of it. It''s a "comfort fit" (flat?), so I might see if I can have it made round. I''m not sure that I''d wear it often, but to a casual dress party would be a good place for it.