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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[ArfieBoy]

Gorgeous ring! Congratulations on a beautiful find! Thanks for sharing.

 

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[ipsilateral]

Great find! Congratulations

Thanks so much!

 

[Reulte]

Great find!
Beautiful ring and it certainly looks older, handmade, and antique to me. The stone looks like a modified rose cut which is generally an older cut but.... my opinion is pretty much worth what you paid for it.

Still, beautiful find and a great reminder to your son of a great day together.

 

[Gare]

Any update on the ring ?

 

[huntsman53]

The ship itself was Irish.

IMHO, the ring belonged to someone of importance, possibly Royalty. Due to the high purity of the Gold and the quality of the stone, I was going to state that the ring was likely made by a Goldsmith somewhere in Eastern or Central Europe, so Ireland or even Scotland or England fits right in. Lots of folks from all three were trying to escape religious persecution and/or total annihilation especially if you were Irish or Scottish Royalty. My' ancestors, the Lords of Annaly were some of those killed off by the English and/or their' Allies.

Congrats on an awesome find!


Frank

 

[CRUSADER]

CONGRATS - looks period to me.

 

[ARC]

Would love to see an update on this.

Op just dropped off.

 

[brianc053]

Would love to see an update on this.

Op just dropped off.

I sent the OP a direct message with a specific suggestion (an expert to consult with), but didn't get a response.
- Brian

 

[ARC]

I sent the OP a direct message with a specific suggestion (an expert to consult with), but didn't get a response.
- Brian

The suggestion is... ?

 

[pepperj]

Would love to see an update on this.

Op just dropped off.

Was on the forum this morning, so they probably saw the query..

 

[brianc053]

The suggestion is... ?

I didn't post the suggestion publicly because the OP was vague about the location where the ring was found, and because my suggestion will indicate where I think the OP found the ring.
Feel free to message me directly if you want more info (I'll share privately).
- Brian

 

[ipsilateral]

Some of you have asked for an update. I finally got a shipwreck jewelry expert to take a peek and he agreed that it may very well be an 18th century ring off the wreck. He said, "some people would call this the find of a lifetime". At any rate, he asked me to bring it into his lab and he plans to run some tests on the ring. will circle back with the community here, but it sounds promising.

 

[Gare]

GOOD LUCK and please keep us posted !!

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

WOW !!!
Banner for sure !

 

[ipsilateral]

Ok, for those of you patiently waiting for an update, in a few weeks, the ring is apparently going to a lab that specializes in shipwreck items and they will make a call as to whether or not it can be tied to the wreck. That's all I know, but the guy who runs the lab said that the cut of the stone and the setting seem like they definitely have a chance.

 

[callmez]

Wow, awesome find! Hope you get good news from the lab.

 

[ipsilateral]

We finally showed the ring today to a maritime archaeologist who is familiar with the wreck. He told me the ring is an 18th century gold ring and is of the period of the wreck! Proving it is from the wreck is impossible, so he said it's about 50/50. We had also found a coin at this location which he confirmed to be a half penny off the wreck.

 

[CRUSADER]

We finally showed the ring today to a maritime archaeologist who is familiar with the wreck. He told me the ring is an 18th century gold ring and is of the period of the wreck! Proving it is from the wreck is impossible, so he said it's about 50/50. We had also found a coin at this location which he confirmed to be a half penny off the wreck.

Congrats my gut feeling was right that it was 18th C. Like you say, can't 100% tie it to the wreck but there is a fair chance.

 

[river roamer]

Amazing ring find Congrats

 

[Miguel314]

That’s an Amazing ring. Congratulations on your find ✨ well done