Any Jewellery Experts On Here?

[mrs_overall]

I bought a job lot of costume jewellery at a sale room. Right at the bottom of the box was an unusual ring. I think it is made from aluminium. It is a bit like a signet ring but where the signet bit is, there is a very small oblong. On top of this is a tiny copper oblong with the word 'Ypres' engraved on it.
Does anyone have any ideas about it?

[stuey]

That's the name of a town in Belgium, and there were a couple of major battles there during WWI.

[Robinia]

Is this any help?
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL/00789/?image=2

[slaney]

Interesting ...
"A cottage industry developed in the trenches during the war, making souvenir aluminium rings. Aluminium rings were made from melted down fuses from German shells, or from melted down aluminium mess kits and canteens. Collecting the fuses from unexploded ‘duds’ could often be dangerous and many men were wounded attempting to salvage this material. The aluminium would be melted, then roughly cast and filed down, and then either be engraved, or have an item, such as the front of a button, attached to the face of the ring"

Like this one - not exactly like yours.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL/13693.001

[mrs_overall]

Thanks Stuey (I had a great uncle who fought there in WW1)

Robinia - that is more or less the same thing, only the one I have is in much better condition.
I wasn't sure if aluminium was used during WW1 which is why I wasn't sure if it could be from that period.
Now I know what they are called, I can Google away to my hearts content.
Thank you so much x

[sandyRoe]

It sounds as though it might be a piece of 'trench art'

[DTCwordfan]

another one, http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30085915

some histroy!

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VbWLw5Td6pUC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&;dq=ypres+aluminium+ring+value&source=bl&ots=ZeYTcXQq7P&sig=9DzJMPe-8k_ce_Pd43-lTWu9pos&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xWQIVdX3EI7WapXFgbgC&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=ypres%20aluminium%20ring%20value&f=false

[mrs_overall]

Trench art it is indeed Sandy

Thanks DTC

[corylus]

How interesting Mrs O, lucky you, but will it fit over your marigolds?

[mrs_overall]

corylus, alas no.....and as there are no diamonds involved, it will be going for sale on Ebay at some stage

[DTCwordfan]

I haven't seen any site professing to value, have you, mrs o....?

[Psybbo]

Hey, Mrs_o, just want to say hello and lovely to see you xx

[mrs_overall]

DTC - the going rate for similar rings seems to be about £15-£25.

Psybbs, lovely to see you too....and nice to know you have not been devoured by a triffid lol xxx

[DTCwordfan]

that hundreds or thousands, mrs o......and I'll second Psybb's words about you being on here.....

(just had the news, Psybbs - passed away @ 6.30....)

[Psybbo]

Oh DTC, sad news, commiserations xxx

[DTCwordfan]

It was expected....he probably didn't suffer as he wasn't even showing any signs of response, no need to pull the plug either.

[Psybbo]

Off to bed, laptop playing up, need an IT person. Goodnight xx

[DTCwordfan]

Night.....and I'm packing up as well....good to see you both! xx