A few days ago, my father came to see me. As we sat down together, I happened to mention how my husbands phone had finally given up the ghost. He can use it for barely fifteen or twenty minutes before it switches itself off; if he tries to replace the battery, it only makes things worse. So Id been thinking of getting myself a new phone for my birthday.
The plan was that my husband would take my old one. I certainly needed the upgrade far more than he did. At that moment, my father reached for an old, battered box and handed it to me with a gentle smile. This is for you, from your grandmother. Perhaps you can sell it and get yourself a new phone.
Inside was my grandmothers wedding ring. Quite astonishingly, the original box was still intact, albeit a bit worn with age.
Aside from the ring itself, the box contained the receipt, the original label, and a seal. The ring had been purchased back in 1977. It weighs just over seven grams.
Given my age, I can hardly guess how that compares with new prices in pounds today, but it does seem rather valuable. Thick gold bands were all the rage back then, and it appears people could afford such things.
By contrast, nowadays, not just anyone would buy a ring like that. I cant even begin to guess what it would cost now. It was made of 14-carat gold of the finest make. I dare say the old English gold was better than what you find in the shops today. The ring itself is truly enormous beside a standard engagement ring.
I told my father straightaway that I had no intention of selling it. I shall wear it myself. Im not one for old superstitionsthose who say you shouldnt wear anothers ring and the like. This ring will mean the world to me as a keepsake. As for these phones, they seem to fall apart every yearbought, used, and tossed aside. A ring like this, Id never be able to buy in the present day.
What would you do with such a ring, I wonder?
