Happy new year to you all,, right i just wanted to share a very special moment with you all, 13 years ago my dad died and left my 2 sons (then aged 8 &10) a gold ring each, as they was so young i took sole responsibilty for them, well my younger son is 21 on tuesday so i thought the time was right to deal with my dads request, the ring that was left to younger son had a letter H embosed on top of the ring, as my sons name is Adam my dad wanted me to alter the ring and get a strip of gold across the top to make the letter A (not that capital A) i hope you get the look im on about, well last saturday i went down the jewellery quarter and i found a lovely man who could deal with my request, well when i went to pick it up to say i was emotional is a understatement, it looked fantasic just what my dad wanted,
I cannot wait to pass this ring over to my son this weekend as he not a clue that ive it done, i know he will get upset and be very proud and honored to recieve it,,
Im so emotional as is my mom and sisters, i will let you all know the outcome and my sons response on receiving it.
Has anyone out there had similar expereinces of what im about to, i feel letting go of this ring is the right thing to do, but while it was in my hands it was oh i dont know how to say this but i felt it was safe? or i had control over it?
thank you all.

I had a younger brother that was killed in an accident in 1977, he was 19 I was 21 and my younger brother was 17. About 5 years ago my brother had a gold block that Martin was wearing whan he died melted down and made in to two crosses one for me and one for him. Christmas that year I unwrapped a box with a bit of paper in it which said " the cross that you see was with Martin when he died, when you look at it see him as a tall lanky sod, a laugh and remember Im here and still love you". I howled most of christmas day the bit of paper is as valuable to me as the cross.
So yes I know exactly what you mean.
My OH was really worried when me, mum, Dad & Kevin all stared weeping he thought we were all potty!!

oh Whistler thats so touching, thank you for your understanding,

I know how you feel about the feeling of it being safe whilst it is in your keeping. When my mum died she left me her jewelry (I'm the only girl) I gave her engagement ring to my daughter. It was stolen :-( About a year later she was passing the auction house that sold off stolen things that had been recovered by the police, but had gone unclaimed. She just felt that she had to go in. Her gran's ring was one of the items She made a bid on it and managed to get it back. :-D It hasn't left her finger since.

I lost all my jewellry in a burglary in about 2003, so none of my nans, great nans stuff was safe with me.
When Mum died I passed stuff to my niece (I have sons) and all the great grandchildren have a piece as well. I kept a bracelet wore it on holiday to Portugal and lost it!!
Its the sentiment that is important I think and the need to pass on a bit of a family member now gone. Im sure that your son will ( may be not straight away) appreciate the "value" of your gift, its worth a lot more than money

In 1998 my Dad took his chain off in the hospital after being diagnosed with a terminal illness and gave it to me. It has sat in a drawer ever since as it's far too big and chunky for me to wear he liked his gold did my Dad and I'd look like Mr T!

I often wonder what to do with it I do have two sons and two daughters and wonder if I could get something made for them all?

My dad died when I was 12 and my mum gave me his signet ring on my 18th birthday, I have worn it since then (nearly 30 years) and only very rarely take it off so short of someone cutting of my finger it's very unlikely to be lost.

I'm sure my mum was very emotional about giving it too me and it meant a lot to me.

I used the diamond from my Gran's wedding ring for my own wedding ring.  The diamond is small, poor quality, and cracked.  Bought by grandpa for her sometime around 1910-1915 I suppose.  I love it because it reminds me of how special my Gran was and how very much she cared for me.

Sure take it to a good jewellers. I had a lot of stuff melted down odd rings, bracelets bits of chain and had a plain gold "slave" bracelet made. I have done that again so i have two now. An american friend found a jeweller over there to incorporate her mum and grandmums engagement rings into one ring.
I paid about £60 to have my bracelets made. They weigh the gold then weigh it again when they give it back so you know you have the same weight approx back.

Thank you all for your lovely replies, i will let you know my sons reaction, on monday,