Identifying a Vintage Diamond Ring: Appraisal & Setting Information

Question
Hi Thomas, My grandmother died and left me her ring. Old miners cut and 4 fine fulcuts. I took it in to get sized and I received a different ring back. I was shocked, The jeweler, says I'm wrong. I had no proof. That was 6 months ago. I just got back from visiting family and my father shows me this appraisal. I'm certain its the ring. My question is how can I find a image of this setting? I have the jewelers name, and a registry number for the setting,from 1981.I tried to do a serch and I get nothing. Perhaps there no longer in bussiness. Any sugestions?

Answer
Marsha, this is a difficult situation. Do you have a receipt from the jeweler who sized the ring with any sort of description of the ring when the job was taken in by the jeweler?  That is the first place to start.  You might even try the jeweler again an ask them what description of the ring their records show.  Generally, take in descriptions are not detailed except perhaps with number and diameter of stones, color of metal and any metal quality stamp in the ring. Still, you might have something to compare with the ring you received.

Does the appraisal have a manufacturers name mentioned for the ring?  I would  think with both old miner cut diamond and modern cut stones some changes have taken place over the years, that is unless the ring had the four modern cuts to start and the old miner was owned by your grandmother and set into the ring when purchased.  

I can think of a few places to check. These all involve the city where the jeweler who did the appraisal was located and the name of the jewelers.  Check first with the city, the section handling business licenses and taxes.  If the city is not too large, check with the local chamber of commerce.  There should be city records of the business even if closed. These records should show the owners and perhaps the owners are still living and can assist you in some way.

If a manufacturer for the ring is mentioned in the appraisal, see if that maker can be located in your research.  This will be  a lucky find but a maker should have illustrations of the products they offered for some years back.

Marsha, I do wish you the best on this. I am not sure there is much more I can do at this point.
If you need more info, please do not hesitate to use the follow-up option.

God Bless and Peace.   Thomas.