Black Diamond Ring?

[rjwmam]

So I recently did some computer work for this really nice elderly lady (at least in her 80's) and told her up front as she was worried about cost that since we were neighbors and I valued our friendship that the computer work was on the house. Well, upon delivery of her system today she gave me this ring of which I tried to refuse because I didn't want her to feel obligated to have to pay me and she really doesn't have the funds to pay for extras. (I love what I do and have no trouble working on computers for friends for free. It's a way of giving back I suppose.) At any rate she told me that it had belonged to her father and when he passed away it went to her husband, and after he passed away the rest of her family has been fighting over it and she felt that I deserved it more than they did, so I graciously took it. She told me that her father was from Alaska and that this is where the ring came from and that it has a Black Diamond stone in it. To be honest it really is a nice looking ring but I am not sure if it is worth anything as the hallmark on it says 14 KT G.E. with a U and and arrow going through the U. So what do you guys think? Did I make a good find today? I wasn't looking for anything to tell you the truth, I just wanted her to be happy with a PC that wasn't riddled with viruses as it was. Here are the best pics I could take, let me know what you all think. And just remember, even if this ring was made out of wood from her grandkid in 6th grade wood shop class it doesn't matter to me. I am just happy her computer is working now, plus she has some amazing stories of growing up in Alaska that would blow your mind away, I'm going to have to get a digital recorder and record her stories because they were really cool. At any rate, have a good day.

 

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[spitfire55]

....Yeah! I do believe this to be an honest and respectful form of appreciation for your services rendered. It's the old "BARDER" system kind of action that our elders used back in the day. I think you made her feel very gracious and honorable by excepting that ring because it was of some value to her and she wanted to thank you for your generous and kindly assistance in getting her system back in order. You are of kind soul.
"That is a very nice ring".

 

[black651]

The hallmark looks like one that I have on one of my silver rings. I tracked down one possible company that used a "U" with an arrow through it: "Uncas MFG Co." from Prov. Rhode Island. According to the site I read the information from, this mark began being used in the 1920's.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[trixie charger]

She gave it to you because you wanted to help her without expecting anything in return!!! Her Children and Grandchildren, probably always wanted or expected something for doing tasks for her!. I love doing things to help my Elderly Neighbors, makes ya fell good, and your right, the stories are always amazing!!! Get your recorder and take everything you can from her, that way her memories will always be remembered and not lost to time. OK now on the ring, do the scratch test on glass, if it leaves a scratch its a Diamond. IMO, I think its really Black Onyx, but you can never tell for sure going by pictures alone

 

[IAsoldier]

Do what you can, to record everything before its lost to time. I know from experience just wish I had the time to thank the guy for the stories he shared. He will be remembered by me before he past away 3 yrs ago. Which I didnt know of till I left for this deployment. Very nice ring for your good spirit and dedication for helping others.

 

[sscindercoop]

Your ring is not solid gold. Ge stands for gold electroplate. It could possibly be gold over silver though

 

[trixie charger]

Your ring is not solid gold. Ge stands for gold electroplate. It could possibly be gold over silver though

Thats what I found also! Thats why I think its Black Onyx

 

[NGE]

Nice ring, but doesn't a diamond start out as coal ?........NGE

 

[MKnTenn]

Great story, You are a good person, one anybody would like to call a friend. I wouldn't care if it's real or not, I would keep it to remind me of the kind elderly lady. HH

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

She gave it to you because you wanted to help her without expecting anything in return!!! Her Children and Grandchildren, probably always wanted or expected something for doing tasks for her!. I love doing things to help my Elderly Neighbors, makes ya fell good, and your right, the stories are always amazing!!! Get your recorder and take everything you can from her, that way her memories will always be remembered and not lost to time. OK now on the ring, do the scratch test on glass, if it leaves a scratch its a Diamond. IMO, I think its really Black Onyx, but you can never tell for sure going by pictures alone

Don't ever do the scratch test on glass with ANY stone.... Not only can it damage facets of a diamond the hardest mineral on earth but.... It can also damage softer stones like Black Onyx.... Diamonds are not black... Sometimes they are brown.... The ring is gold electroplate (marked), this rings screams of low quality i'll be surprised if the stone is even a stone. Not a personal attack on your find not calling you out or anything... I just think you should know what your likely to have. Its not a diamond, maybe a Black Onyx but could even be plastic. If you wanna know for sure take it to a jeweler.

Keep @ it and HH !!

 

[trixie charger]

Carbonado, commonly known as the "Black Diamond". Carbonado diamonds are typically pea-sized or larger porous aggregates of many tiny black crystals. The most characteristic carbonados have been found only in the Central African Republic and in Brazil, in neither place associated with kimberlite, the source of typical gem diamonds. Lead isotope analyses have been interpreted as documenting crystallization of carbonados about 3 billion years ago. The carbonados are found in younger sedimentary rocks.

Glass has a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale! Diamonds have a hardness of 10> I have had about 75-80 stones cut that I have found,
the Jewelers use a grinding stone with paste made with ground Diamonds. So maybe I dont understand how a Diamond can be hurt from a material that is nowhere near the same hardness? as I have done this many times. Oh and Black Onyx has a hardness of 7-8 on the scale!

 

[hikeinmts]

However "hard" the stone is, both you and your neighbor lady have good, soft hearts.....and that is the most important.
You helped her, respected her, did a service for her....and she repaid you with, possibly, the item that she thought had the
greatest value. I'd say, an even trade. And, I'm like the THer before, I wouldn't get rid of that one....that stays with my
keepers, that my kids would fight over......
Great story....good ending....gotta love this hobby.

 

[coin1921]

Nice ring, I believe it is:

Alaskan Hematite. Hematite, known as Alaska's Black Diamond.

 

[wwwtimmcp]

older people appreciate anything you do for them, kids today act like you owe them. plated or not that is one very cool ring.

 

[desert dog]

way to go nice ring

 

[digginer]

really cool ring! sweet of her.what causes all the little holes on the sides?hh to you.

 

[thrillathahunt]

I'm sure that giving you this ring made her feel good, so I am glad you accepted it.

As for the ring, it is gold plated and the stone is most likely black glass.

 

[Roland58]

older people appreciate anything you do for them, kids today act like you owe them. plated or not that is one very cool ring.

You got it right!!

 

[rjwmam]

Thank you all for your replies. I just felt honored in the first place as my name was recommended to her for help on working on her PC. I am always happy to help where I can and in most cases wish for nothing in return, which I think is the way most THer's are anyways. We are here to help each other cause we can't do it all by ourselves anyways. As far as the ring goes, I know at one time it was gold plated but there isn't a speck of gold plate on this ring anymore and that's why I was curious and wanted to post it here. And remembering our conversation when I was packing up my tools and walking out the door, she did mention that Alaskan Hematite, so I would bet that the stone is Hematite. At any rate, this is a special find to me and no testing will be done on it. I plan to wear it on Sundays at church where I will see this sweet old lady. She is in my opinion a special friend and I am glad that I know her. Thank you all once again for your assistance. Once again this string of posts is testament to how great tnet.com really is. God Speed to all.

 

[trixie charger]

AMEN!!!!