‘She said it would fit like a glove and she was right’
A POTENTIAL family heirloom will now be able to be passed down the generations, thanks to a metal detectorist and the Guernsey Press.
Elaine van Beek was visiting Grandes Rocques beach when the ring fell off and it was only several months later that Mathew Kneebone discovered it in the sand with his metal detector.
Mr Kneebone later handed it in to police, but was given it back after a month had gone by and no-one had claimed it.
Following a valuation at Ray & Scott, the significance of the gold ring and its Mexican fire opal and sea pearls, dating from the 1940s, reinvigorated his search for its owner and he contacted the Guernsey Press. Within a few days, Mrs van Beek, who had spotted the article that was published, had got in touch to be reunited with the ring she has had for more than 56 years.
‘I saw it on Facebook and was then redirected to the Guernsey Press website and on closer inspection I realised it was mine and was overjoyed,’ said Mrs van Beek.
‘My auntie bought it for me in Stratford-upon-Avon for my 21st birthday, so it’s been with me such a long time.
‘I rang my cousin to let her know and she said she remembered being there when my auntie bought it, she said it was a lovely story.’
She said she had not realised it was missing until she saw the picture and thought that it looked very similar to one she owned and upon raiding her jewellery box, she realised that it was indeed her own.
‘I’d gone to my granddaughter’s christening and had gone to the beach afterwards, when it must have been lost, but I hadn’t realised because then Christmas happened and lockdown,’ she said.
‘It’s amazing really it was found and I’m thrilled to bits, I’ll still wear it out for special occasions, and leave it to family as a family heirloom with a story.’
Mr Kneebone said he was pleased to have reunited the ring and its owner.
‘When she rang me she was so glad that it had been found,’ he said. ‘She said she knew it was hers because one of the sea pearls was missing and she also said when she came round for it, it would fit her little finger like a glove, which it did.
‘It’s great to be able to find a cherished item that was lost and return it. She brought me a box of chocolates and wine to say thank you too.’
