Among the coins, bills and checks dropped into the familiar metal canisters of the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign this past holiday season was a white envelope.
A worthless white envelope.
But after opening the envelope, that piece of paper held something valuable — a diamond ring worth about $5,000.
An anonymous donor put the ring in the envelope and placed it in a kettle at the Kroger grocery store on West Walnut Avenue in Dalton in December 2011, said Pat Thompson, the office manager at the Dalton branch of the Salvation Army. Now, the Salvation Army is auctioning the ring to raise money to fund the many services it provides to the community, such as the food bank and transitional housing.
“This is going to help us out a lot,” Thompson said.
The ring will remain on display at Maryville Jewelers at 108 N. Hamilton St. in downtown Dalton. Sealed bids will be taken at the store until July 31. The opening bid is $2,500.
The round, brilliant-cut diamond is a shade over one carat. It is set in a 14-carat white gold, four-prong Tiffany mounting. It has been graded by the American Gem Society.
“It’s a nice stone,” said J.T. Finley, co-owner of Maryville Jewelers. “It was appraised right around $5,000 and the opening bid is $2,500, so somebody’s going to get a bargain.”
Thompson said the Salvation Army hoped to auction the ring earlier this year to coincide with Valentine’s Day. They held onto the ring for 30 days just in case someone unintentionally placed the ring in the kettle.
“It came nicely in a little white envelope,” Thompson said. “We were almost 90 percent sure someone didn’t accidentally put it in there. We wanted to make sure.”
Since the donor did not provide any information about the ring, the Salvation Army had it appraised and graded. That took about six weeks.
The group is promoting the ring auction around the theme of “Christmas in July.” The ring sits next to a miniature red Salvation Army kettle in one of the store’s display cases.
This is the second ring that has been donated to the local Salvation Army. On Dec. 22, 2010, a couple approached bell ringers at the Kroger store in Calhoun. They had a diamond wedding ring and a Christmas card.
On the back of the card was a handwritten note: “My husband and I are still deeply in love. We think you could make better use of this ring than we can. ‘All for Jesus.’” Below the note was the Bible verse John 1:14. The couple provided the background information on the ring such as carats, shape/cut and clarity.
The story received attention across the state and throughout the country. Stories appeared in newspapers including The New York Times and on an Atlanta television station. Maryville Jewelers received several calls, while scores of curious people came to look at the ring.
A Dalton businessman had the high bid of $3,000.
For more information about the ring, call Maryville Jewelers at (706) 278-1030 or the Salvation Army at (706) 278-3966. You can also find more information at the Salvation Army’s Facebook page.
Local News
Related Photos
-
J.T. Finley of Maryville Jewelers and Salvation Army Maj. Art Fultz put a diamond ring, which is being auctioned, on display at the Dalton jewelry store. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
-
J.T. Finley offers a closeup view of the diamond ring appraised at $5,000. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
Discussion
July 8, 2012
A diamond surprise
Salvation Army auctioning ring dropped in kettle
- Local News
-
-
Wreck causes closure of entrance to I-75
An RV wreck on Interstate 75 North has caused at least one lane of the freeway to be shut down.
Continued ... - Infant dies in ‘tragic accident’
- Mountain Creek Academy: Webb says son kept her in school
- Phoenix High grad epitomizes persistence
- NWGCCA: Porter pushes past obstacles
- Armed robbery suspect arrested
- City Council approves new turf for soccer field at Lakeshore Park
- May 20, 2013
- McNeills, Mohawk honored for historic preservation
- Warning signs: Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
- Area
- Flash flooding reported
- May 19, 2013
- ‘It was a brutal time’
- Sweet Pea Tea
- Former Varnell manager resigned as council members questioned credit card use
- ‘You aren’t alone’
-
Wreck causes closure of entrance to I-75
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
