Silverhorse65
Elite Member
I was fortunate enough in April and May to find three gold rings while dirt hunting over the course of about four to five weeks. They are all quite old and all found in older areas of town deep in the dirt. In other words, they've been "in situ" for quite a while. A signet ring valued $80, a chunky 14k with a CZ stone valued $250, and a 14k with a 1/4 carat diamond valued $200.
My wife is honest to a fault and has been having difficulty with me keeping the ring that has a real diamond. She has pointed out that most States, including Iowa, have laws on the books requiring people to turn in valuables to the police when they are found. Of course, the law here in Iowa does not state a minimal value something should be when turning it in. It does state that you are to turn it in to the county sheriff or city police. They will document and hold onto it for ONE Year. if not claimed, you can reclaim it.
I've explained to her that I have no problem returning a ring if it has enough identifying markers that you could do some research and find out who the owner might be. Something like a class ring with a year and initials, etc. Unfortunately, I've never found something with such identifying markers so have never been fortunate enough to do a "return".
Just wondering if any on here would feel ethically inclined to turn in the rings? My wife, at first, thought the hold time was 90 days. I think the ONE year hold here in Iowa is overboard. I also think that the police have enough to do without documenting and holding such old, lower valued jewelry. I've explained that if it were a fresh drop and obviously worth much more money, I'd have no problem turning it in.
Thoughts? Would you turn in the rings? Would you trust you'd get them back after a year?
My wife is honest to a fault and has been having difficulty with me keeping the ring that has a real diamond. She has pointed out that most States, including Iowa, have laws on the books requiring people to turn in valuables to the police when they are found. Of course, the law here in Iowa does not state a minimal value something should be when turning it in. It does state that you are to turn it in to the county sheriff or city police. They will document and hold onto it for ONE Year. if not claimed, you can reclaim it.
I've explained to her that I have no problem returning a ring if it has enough identifying markers that you could do some research and find out who the owner might be. Something like a class ring with a year and initials, etc. Unfortunately, I've never found something with such identifying markers so have never been fortunate enough to do a "return".
Just wondering if any on here would feel ethically inclined to turn in the rings? My wife, at first, thought the hold time was 90 days. I think the ONE year hold here in Iowa is overboard. I also think that the police have enough to do without documenting and holding such old, lower valued jewelry. I've explained that if it were a fresh drop and obviously worth much more money, I'd have no problem turning it in.
Thoughts? Would you turn in the rings? Would you trust you'd get them back after a year?