Would like your opinions please

Tiddlywinks · 28 January 2012 at 9:35PM

Hanging_by_a_thread wrote: »

I hadn't thought about getting inserts. Not sure that would work as my fingers are way smaller. I am coming round to the idea of having the ring resized and wearing it now though.

Be very careful when resizing though... as you are going down so many sizes you will be altering the way the setting sits and this may loosen the stones.

Go to a proper jeweller and not a high street chain and actually discuss how they will protect the integrity of the setting.

If they can remove a piece of gold ask for them to deduct the value from the alteration costs as scrap gold is getting a good price at the moment. As an alternative they could cut around the setting and melt down the band and make a replacement thicker band so that you lose none of your nan's gift.

If the resizing can't be done without affecting the setting you could have the ring remodelled into something to your taste - as long as you insist they use the same gold and stones then you will still have your nan's ring but it'll just look a bit different.

Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy wearing it as that is why she gave it to you - for you to get pleasure from her memory.

Hanging_by_a_thread · 28 January 2012 at 10:23PM

Thank you for the great advice Tiddlywinks I shall know all the right things to ask now. I want to keep it as much as possible as it is. It is so unique and beautiful.

I cant get hold of my mum this evening, annoyingly enough, but I have a feeling that my grandad hadn't bought the ring brand new for my nan. I am sure I remember that it had been given to my grandad when he was a young man for when he decided to propose. So it could have been his nans ring. He was about 20 at the time. It took him till his early 30s to find the 'right gal' as he put it, much to my great nans dismay. He was a right character.

Think I might try and find out just how old it is. Does anyone know if it becomes more difficult to have rings resized if they are very old. Probably a daft question but I have no idea about these things and you are all so helpful and knowledgeable.

Tiddlywinks · 28 January 2012 at 10:51PM

You could use a magnifying glass to look at the hallmark - then go to the library or Google it to see where and when it was made.

As to age and getting it altered - it's won't be harder to get made smaller as you are taking gold away. if making it bigger they might have to work at matching the colour of gold depending on the other alloy used in the mix - is it 9, 18 or 22ct?

If it is old enough for the age itself to add value then you need to make a decision about resizing - although, to be honest, most older rings tend to be smaller anyway as the general population was a lot smaller in height, weight etc so it may be that it's already been resized up for your nan.

Also, I forgot to add that you should ask them to avoid (if possible) damaging the hallmark when resizing.

Red_Cat · 28 January 2012 at 10:57PM

Sorry to learn about your loss.

It's good to make the ring something you can use to remind of your Gran, so resizing to fit you is certainly OK. If not sure, don't feel compeeled to rush into anything, give it a week or two and see if you feel the same way.

jess1974 · 28 January 2012 at 11:06PM

I inherited my mums eternity ring which i wear on my ring finger on my right hand, my sister got mums engagement ring, we made the decision to bury mum and dad wearing their wedding rings, so do not have those. I love mums ring and will never take it off and when i die i will pass it down to my daughter x

Gigervamp · 28 January 2012 at 11:30PM

So sorry for your loss.

Nans have a special place in our hearts.

I have to thank you for this thread though. I was given my dear Nan's engagement ring when she passed 13 years ago and because it was too big for my fingers, it's been sitting safely in it's box. Upon reading this thread, I got the ring out because my fingers have got bigger over the years and I've found that it now fits my index finger.

It's gold and my other rings are either silver or white gold, but the difference doesn't bother me because it means that I can now wear it and feel closer to my Nan.

There have been some brilliant suggestions on this thread, so I hope you can find one that works for you. As another poster mentioned, if your nan gave you her wedding dress, she would expect it to be altered to fit. I'm sure your nan would feel the same about her ring.

RadoJo · 29 January 2012 at 2:16AM

Also bear in mind that things seem very raw for you at the moment and you don't have to make any decisions now - mull it over and really consider what you want so that once you are ready to take action you're already used to the idea and ready to think about the happy memories of your nan rather than the sadness of your loss.

Ich_2 · 29 January 2012 at 2:20AM

If you don't want to get it resized, buy a nice chain of the same metal & wear it as a necklace

Torry_Quine · 29 January 2012 at 2:29AM

I was given my husband's grandmother's engagement ring and yes I do wear it. It is a beautiful reminder of someone who although I never knew remains part of the family. It is often admired and people always love the story attached to it.

Scrapaholic · 29 January 2012 at 9:00PM

Sorry to read of your very recent sad loss . I also would like to say as Radjo did, that it's still early days . I couldn't even look at my mam's jewellery , after she died ,without crying , for a long time . I did have her diamond ring re sized + wear it sometimes next to my wedding ring . DD wore it on her right hand on her wedding day which meant a lot . Have a think and whatever you choose I wish you happy memories .