Gold and Sapphire Ring Found at the Site of Shipwreck

[ipsilateral]

Without going into too many details, I will say that there is a beach I have searched several times with my son in the mid-Atlantic that is but a couple hundred yards from the location of a late 18th century wreck where more than a hundred passengers drowned. I never hit the beach with hopes very high because it has been searched so hard and for so long. So when we popped out on the beach one recent afternoon, it was with low expectations. But I did say to him, as Mel Fisher always said, "Today could be the day."

We searched for several hours and saw two or three other detectors on the beach in our proximity, but my years old Fisher always seems to turn up something when the others can't. A few fishing weights and a few modern pennies later and the day was nearing a close. As we made our way back toward the car, I told him we would dig one more. We got a nice strong signal, and it was deep. We dug and dug and it wasn't long before the sand gave up this beautiful sapphire and gold ring. The ring is not marked and appears handmade though I have no way to know if it may have come off the wreck or was lost later. I had it XRF'd and it tests right around 23K, and the jeweler says it looks like a very old cut stone. It's been many years I've been searching, and this is certainly the best thing I've ever found. It was very nice to share the moment with my son, and I've put the ring aside for him when he's a little older. Is it from the wreck? How could I be sure?

 

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[Clay Diggins]

Did you have someone restore the ring? The inside doesn't appear to have any wear. Perhaps it was new when it was lost?

 

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[oldmxrat]

I'm confused, how did this not make banner?

 

[Cobradude22]

Makes me wonder if a pirate wore this ring. Incredible find.

 

[ipsilateral]

I finally decided to try to squeeze a little more information about the stone from the gold ring and submitted for GIA evaluation. This will tell me the country of origin and any treatments that the sapphire may have had. If the sapphire is treated by any modern method, that will rule out that it came off of the shipwreck. 🤞

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I finally decided to try to squeeze a little more information about the stone from the gold ring and submitted for GIA evaluation. This will tell me the country of origin and any treatments that the sapphire may have had. If the sapphire is treated by any modern method, that will rule out that it came off of the shipwreck. 🤞

Let's us know, I'm interested too.

 

[ARC]

I finally decided to try to squeeze a little more information about the stone from the gold ring and submitted for GIA evaluation. This will tell me the country of origin and any treatments that the sapphire may have had. If the sapphire is treated by any modern method, that will rule out that it came off of the shipwreck. 🤞

Bout time... heh

 

[FinderTravis]

Spectacular find!!! Most likely has some very interesting provenance, Congratulations!

 

[ipsilateral]

It took a while to get around to sending this to the lab in New York. What they ended up saying was that it was a cushion shaped natural sapphire with no signs of heat treating. From their measurements, I calculate it at about 2.6 carats. The origin of the stone is Sri Lanka. If anyone knows enough about gem-cutting, I'd welcome your thoughts about the details of the cut (attached). Either way, heck of a nice stone.

 

[pepperj]

It took a while to get around to sending this to the lab in New York. What they ended up saying was that it was a cushion shaped natural sapphire with no signs of heat treating. From their measurements, I calculate it at about 2.6 carats. The origin of the stone is Sri Lanka. If anyone knows enough about gem-cutting, I'd welcome your thoughts about the details of the cut (attached). Either way, heck of a nice stone.

Thanks for posting up the results of the stone, and it great news it wasn't heat treated. Getting an appraisal from a Jewellery store that deals in antique estate (high end)jewelry.
A proper appraisal should be able to give every answer that required.
Carat weight, gold, age. Style of cut is important as it can establish when that style was done.

"The old mine cut had 33 crown facets and 25 pavilion facets.

The modern cushion cut is a combination of the old mine cut and a modern oval cut, with 64 facets compared to the old mine cut's 58"

Value (providence could be established once this has been done)
Keep us posted on what you find out on this beautiful piece.

 

[RelicFinder77]

Without going into too many details, I will say that there is a beach I have searched several times with my son in the mid-Atlantic that is but a couple hundred yards from the location of a late 18th century wreck where more than a hundred passengers drowned. I never hit the beach with hopes very high because it has been searched so hard and for so long. So when we popped out on the beach one recent afternoon, it was with low expectations. But I did say to him, as Mel Fisher always said, "Today could be the day."

We searched for several hours and saw two or three other detectors on the beach in our proximity, but my years old Fisher always seems to turn up something when the others can't. A few fishing weights and a few modern pennies later and the day was nearing a close. As we made our way back toward the car, I told him we would dig one more. We got a nice strong signal, and it was deep. We dug and dug and it wasn't long before the sand gave up this beautiful sapphire and gold ring. The ring is not marked and appears handmade though I have no way to know if it may have come off the wreck or was lost later. I had it XRF'd and it tests right around 23K, and the jeweler says it looks like a very old cut stone. It's been many years I've been searching, and this is certainly the best thing I've ever found. It was very nice to share the moment with my son, and I've put the ring aside for him when he's a little older. Is it from the wreck? How could I be sure?

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