Value

In August, I blogged about Jamie and Phil finding lost treasure (http://colleensobxblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/long-lost-treasure.html) You may need to start with THAT entry, before reading this one.

Jamie came down this weekend, with Kim & David, and toted the treasure through the Security checkpoint at BWI. Needless to say, they pulled her for a bag check - and I reminded her that she should be thankful that she hadn't tried to get through security with big-ass sewing shears!

The coffee tin coins are indeed very old, some dating back to the 1800's. I'm looking forward to doing some research on them. PS- anyone know how to, or if I should, CLEAN old coins?? Does the "never refinish antique furniture or it looses it's value" rule apply? Where is Antiques Roadshow when I need it??

Not surprisingly, Aunt Mabel isn't quite sure to whom the wedding/engagement ring set belonged. (We're leaning towards her sister.) I took the rings to a nearby, reputable jeweler and told them the story of how they were found. Eileen looked closely at them, and then excused herself so she could take a closer look. I was thinking, "Oh, this could be a cool thing!" until she came back with the face that said, "I hope you weren't making big plans for this... this... set." After careful inspection, she AND her husband told me that all of the stones were, wait for it.... fake. False. Faux. Not even Diamonique.

Like air being let out of a balloon, the dramatic reveal lost it's umph. I returned home and shared the news with the family.

Now, here's how the questions unfurled - did whoever owned the rings know that they were not real? Did whoever BOUGHT the rings know that they were not real? Then I started to think... Truly, what is UN-REAL about them? The stones are in a beautiful setting, set in gold, and it were given to someone with a promise. THE promise. To have and to hold. To honor. It says, "Above all else, I choose you." Isn't THAT the value?

Years ago, I told anyone that would listen that I didn't care if Chip gave me a twisty-tie off of a loaf of bread... I just wanted to be his wife. I wanted him to pick me to share in his life. I stood in the window with the sunlight illuminating all of the stones, comparing the found ring to MY ring, all I could see was the promise behind it.

Regardless of the circumstance, it's lovely, and I bet whoever owned them was proud to have worn them.

I'm not sure what the future of this ring set holds, but I hope it will find it's way to someone who will appreciate it for its VALUE, not for it's price.