Ethics question about found jewlery

[MuranoFarms]

Quote:
This!
I graduated in 89...we had a reunion 2 year ago. A facebook group was created just for that and people still post in it all the time. At some point you do have to give up trying....you can't spend years looking for someone you don't even know! Give it a try on a few social sites. If you still come up with nothing, drop it in the salvation army kettle! LOL It seems happen somewhere every year, why not?

 

[Spookwriter]

I lost my high school class ring a long time ago. I remember
the day. I regret losing it.

But you know what?

It hasn't changed my life at all, not having that ring. I put a
wedding band on that finger that looks much better and means
a whole lot more to me.

I even lost my wedding band one time, down in Dallas Texas. I
looked for it just a bit. But when I got home, I went straight to the
jewelers and got one just like it.

 

[chickened]

Have you contacted Sauron of Mordor?

I would just do what you want with it.

 

[cmb19]

Anything you do to find the owner will take a lot of effort and might not even be worth it. I enjoy things like this because it's like a game to me, so I would spend all sorts of time trying to find the owner, but I'm also weird. You could always ask the school what ring company they use and contact the company, I know that Josten's ring company has a lost and found section.

If you want to melt it down or whatever, it's definitely yours to do that with, I'm not going to judge you for it.

 

[dainerra]

it's pretty simple and doesn't require a lot of time and effort. Call the school the ring is from. Ask who is handling reunions for class of 19XX. Email that person and say "I found this ring. Can you email your classmates" Toss the ring back in the drawer for a couple months. If you get a response, YEAH! If not, then the ring is yours.

That would have been the logical step to take 10 years ago. Easier even than placing an ad in the paper.

 

[Marcymom3]

Quote:
HeatherLynn, you really have done all you can, and I applaud your efforts. There are many who would have just gone ahead and sold it for the gold value. Protecting the owner's SS number was a step I wouldn't have thought of. I hope you don't have your feelings hurt by the opinions of our BYC folks.

I don't know where you live, but I believe the list of graduates is public domain. Here in Maryland, the names of all graduates are published in the papers in June. Not that this should change anything you intended, but just sayin'...

Merry Christmas!

 

[conny63malies]

Here is something that has nobody considered. What if the ring was part of a theft case? I really would contact the local news or even TV. THey are suckers for a long lost item found and returned right before christmas. My husband lost his ring from HS and he still considers getting a new one made,after twenty + years...

 

[Longhorns&Chickens]

Quote:

I love that series!!!

 

[theoldchick]

You might be able to track down the owner by tracing the year and school noted on the ring. I'd do it just for the curiosity factor. It would be a nice human interest story for the school or town paper. However, if I was in serious debt I'd be tempted to sell the ring for it's value.

 

[HeatherLynn]

Honestly I have 2 months to debt free. Its not a factor for me. I just felt it was a waste to let it sit in a drawer so long. We had a local family that we were trying to help and I hit upon the idea of selling it and using that to help them a bit extra. BUT considering how personal an issue this seemed to be I would not want to give someone money that is a bit tainted. I tossed it back in the drawer. I admit I am not the curious type, nor do I really have time to be. It was just a thought and I wanted to make sure I was on the ethical right before I did this. There was no agreement on it and lots of strong opinions. I put in a few hours but honestly thats more time than i can afford right now. It's safe in the drawer for now.