Chasing Nickels Signals I End Up With Gold...

[Happa54]

Hey everyone...

My focus this year is buffs, V's and war niks..... wasn't thinking of gold.

I spent half day at one of my usual pounded Los Angeles parks. Got a little clad and 17 nickels in my pouch. 

This 600 knocks the cr_p out of nickels. I get another nickel signal (12/13) and dig approximately 4 inches.

Because I've been fooled before by coins that initially appear to be gold, I didn't get too excited. But when I cleaned off the dirt and looked real close, I couldn't find any markings. So then I thought, some sort of fake gold or something. Even the white pearl in the setting was breaking down and I thought it was plastic. 

I did the magnet test at home and it passed but still not totally convinced.... heck this could be brass maybe, I thought? 

This morning I take it to a jeweler and he puts it through his tests. He says it's 18k. Says it looks made in Asia and markings worn or very old ring. Then another jeweler repeats the process and he concurs with the first jeweler. He then says, "I'll give you $40 for it". 

I asked, "what's it worth retail?"... he puts it on a scale and says "maybe $1,000 just for the gold". I think you know what I said next. They were interested in setting a new stone in place but I told them it's for my girlfriend and I'll let her handle it. I've made purchases here before so there were no hard feelings either way. 

Thanx for stopping in everyone and as always.... HH

[dsb]

You got your nickles worth that time!

[Mike Hillis]

That is a very nice ring.   Congrats.

HH
Mike

[mn90403]

Great looking ring but a better lesson.  I NEVER trust a jeweler when it comes to giving me a 'fair' price when they are buying from me.  I have gone to a couple who will tell me what I have if I want it repaired or cleaned.  A friend of mine who had been a jeweler and watch maker also will give me a sight appraisal but he doesn't know current prices any more.

The place I go to get the best information about my finds is a coin dealer (Wilshire Coin) with a gun.   I've bought gold coins from them in the past.  They weigh and give a percentage of gold by item and then they don't care if I sell it to them or not.  I know what they offer me for a complete jewelry item (they don't know stones) like a ring will never be retail.  It will still be more than most jewelers offer.

If you want retail then eBay is the place to go after you have the details but you have to pay the fees.  Look at similar items and you can tell a greater value.

Mitchel

[strick]

Very interesting ring. Thanks for sharing.

strick

[UtahRich]

Very unique looking ring.   Nice find.

[Mark Gillespie]

Very ornate ring.  I can say I never pass up a nickel and will add most of the women's rings I've found register at or below a nickel. 

[foreverteachable]

That is on heck of a find! Congratulations!