Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

My mother's engagement ring

(24 Posts)
dragonfly46 Sat 05-Jun-21 13:39:22

When my mum was still alive she broke the shank on her engagement ring. We went to the jeweller who could not repair it but said it needed resetting. My mum did not want it sent away so she took it home.
Later when she had dementia she went into a home and I took the ring for safekeeping.

My mum died in March and now I wonder what to do with the ring. It seems a pity it is sitting in a box broken. Should I have it reset the same as it was - a cluster of five diamonds with the biggest at the top or have something completely different?

My DD thinks I should have a new design - she is not in the slightest bit sentimental and would not really want mine or my mum's rings. She has a large rock of her own!

I am tempted to turn it into something I could wear and that is more modern but would that be unlucky or disloyal?

janeainsworth Sat 05-Jun-21 13:44:07

I don’t think it’s disloyal at all Dragonfly.

My wedding ring had worn very thin & one day I caught it in a door & it snapped.

A local jeweller made me these stacking rings using the gold from my ring and my late father-in-law’s signet ring.

Dinahmo Sat 05-Jun-21 13:45:48

Of course you are not disloyal. I have a ring of opals and diamonds that was made from an older ring. My Father had it reset for my Mother and I kept it as it was - because I like it.

You should have it repaired or reset - whatever you would like.
Good luck with it.

Mouseybrown60 Sat 05-Jun-21 13:46:30

I think it would be a great idea to get it made in to a piece of jewellery that you could wear. It’s not in the slightest disloyal or unlucky. It would be like having her near to you again. I bet your mum would have thought it a loving thoughtful thing to do.

annodomini Sat 05-Jun-21 14:03:14

It wouldn't be disloyal at all. It's a great idea to have it re-modelled so that you could wear it in memory of your mum.

vegansrock Sat 05-Jun-21 14:06:22

I had some old rings of my mums and grandmothers remade into rings for myself. One of the large diamonds I gave to my ED on a significant birthday and she designed her own ring. Much better than sitting in a drawer.

Soozikinzi Sat 05-Jun-21 14:08:04

I would only pay out to have it as something I would wear why on earth pay for a repair for it to be stuck in a box ?

Mattsmum2 Sat 05-Jun-21 14:18:20

I had an engagement ring when I divorced in to a pendant, that to be honest I’ve never worn.

Ladyleftfieldlover Sat 05-Jun-21 14:20:16

A few years ago I had to have my wedding ring cut off my finger after a shoulder injury and subsequent swelling. The ring had become very thin so my jeweller added more gold and melted the whole lot down to make a new ring! It’s beautiful

dragonfly46 Sat 05-Jun-21 14:48:39

Thank you for your advice I will go and ask the local jeweller for ideas.

Jaxjacky Sat 05-Jun-21 14:54:55

Thank you dragonfly I’ve just fished out an opal pendant and a ring I inherited, you’ve set me thinking. The ring is too chunky, the Opal has developed a ‘bloom’ on the casing, food for thought.

Jaxjacky Sat 05-Jun-21 14:55:27

Oops!

Jaxjacky Sat 05-Jun-21 14:55:48

No, photos not working

Blossoming Sat 05-Jun-21 15:13:52

They have worked Jaxjacky, just a bit slow updating ?

Daisymae Sat 05-Jun-21 15:22:06

Most jewellery that has age has been remodelled at some stage. I had an old set diamond that was remade into a solitaire with small diamonds on the shank. Very wearable. I had my mothers and grandmothers wedding rings woven together. It is wearable but I choose not to, I will pass it on when the time comes.

dragonfly46 Sat 05-Jun-21 16:17:49

Jaxjacky they look lovely.

Hellogirl1 Sat 05-Jun-21 18:31:43

My mother had a gold dress ring set with sapphires, bought her by my grandma when I was born. After she died it came to me, but the largest sapphirec was missing and the mount was damaged. As soon as IN had enough money, I paid for repairs, but I wanted it kept to the original design. Alas I can`t wear it, my fingers are too fat, so I have it on a gold chain to wear round my neck instead. Here`s the ring.

vegansrock Sat 05-Jun-21 18:56:27

Here’s some of the rings I had made from old fashioned rings

Marydoll Sat 05-Jun-21 19:38:11

My engagement ring from the seventies had a very high setting and was repaired so many times, it couldn't be repaired again.
Our local jeweller suggested changing to a more robust setting. I was delighted with the result, as I love Art Deco style rings.

A colleague got her gran's engagement ring and father's wedding ring made into stunning a bangle.

CanadianGran Sat 05-Jun-21 19:47:06

I would choose something that you would be proud to wear. Go to a reputable goldsmith and make an inquiry.

I have seen several custom rings designed with combinations of gems and older jewelry. I also find that our hands broaden with time, and the smaller, daintier styles of old do not suit as well.

Redhead56 Sat 05-Jun-21 19:58:58

A reputable jeweller should be able to supply a new shank for the ring. I suggest you get a second opinion ask about a new shank and having the claws retipped.

dragonfly46 Sat 05-Jun-21 22:56:11

Unfortunately the shank is very thin and broken. It is impossible to repair.

Shelflife Sat 05-Jun-21 23:20:05

Redesign and wear with joy as you remember your Mum !

kittylester Sun 06-Jun-21 07:42:25

dragonfly, the jeweller in Groby are very good and there is one in Nottingham that has made rings in consultation with dh. Message me if you'd like the name.

Apologies for the lateness of this post, I thought I posted yesterday.