4038

REGARD Ring, S.S. Central America treasure [146649]

Currency:USD Category:Jewelry / Vintage & Antique Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
REGARD Ring, S.S. Central America treasure [146649]
SOLD
12,000.00USD+ (2,400.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2023 Mar 05 @ 11:38UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
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Gold ring intended for six stones, five of which are present, whose initials spell the word REGARD: [R]uby (missing), [E]merald, [G]arnet, [A]methyst, [R]uby, and [D]iamond.

Recovered in 1990, found in the sediment trap of the dredge.

Commentary - Bob Evans: I would clean out the sediment trap(s) from the previous dives during the nighttime, under the glare of the bright work lights on the deck of our ship. It was cooler at night, generally low to mid-80s (F) instead of mid to upper-90s. The main objective was to collect the gold dust, sometimes many ounces of it, that would be collected as we used Nemo to vacuum the areas where we were working. I used a gold pan, and a hose issuing clean seawater to carefully sift through the sediment. Other small objects and coins could be collected in this way as well. When I found this little ring, its stones flashing in the night, I was immediately charmed. I thought it could be a birthstone ring, intended as a mother's representation of her children. Research by our historians ashore revealed the custom of the REGARD ring, intended as a gentleman's token of affection for a lady, pre-engagement, but very serious.

Very careful searching of that sediment trap yielded no missing stone. Believe me, I tried to find it. Perhaps the first stone was missing before the voyage, but the lady kept the ring with her, stored for romantic or sentimental reasons.

Provenance: SS Central America Collection