As part of our ongoing campaign to find more historical pieces of Ainsworth Jewellers, customers have been bringing in their jewellery boxes and allowing us to use their stories.
This one particular ring was brought in by a customer who said it once belonged to her Great Aunt and they believe it was bought in the 1950s, which ties in with when Ainsworth Jewellers was located at the premises inscribed on the box - 50 Market Place.
Ainsworth Jewellers moved to 50 Market Place in 1938, and relocated to its current premises on Darwen Street in 1965.
The ring had been passed down to the customer and she had kept it in perfect condition in its original box.
Surprise story
The customer also brought with her a gold band wedding ring. As a Blackburn family, she suggested the ring may have been bought from Ainsworth Jewellers many years ago but couldn't be certain. She believed the ring to be her Great Grandmothers from circa 1920.
Phil Ainsworth, current director, looked on the ring for an Ainsworth Jewellers stock marking, but was unable to find one which may have been due to it rubbing off over time.
However the ring did have a Full British Hallmark for Birmingham 1951, which would suggest the story of the ring being from around the 1920s was incorrect.
Baffled at the revelation, Phil and the customer discussed possible explanations including the wedding ring being replaced after it had been lost/stolen, or perhaps this particular wedding ring was bought a number of years later as a replacement to allow the couple to save up for the sought after 22ct Yellow Gold wedding ring.
If you have a story you would like to tell, or an item of jewellery/boxes you would like to show us, please feel free to come into the shop at any time and we would be delighted to have a chat.
