Featured What is this worn down stone? coral? cameo?

I think there are people who would be interested for the ring itself, it is very nice. They can have another stone put in.

 

Thanks AJ, maybe I'll give it a whirl.

 

I have two suggestions.
You could hunt around to find another polished cabochon stone (or cameo) that fits and replace it easily, as @Any Jewelry suggested. It would look great.
Or...
Why not sand down the remains of the white with very fine grit sandpaper and give it a good polish on a buffing wheel or with a Dremel tool. You would be retaining some of the original integrity that way.
I mean, the damage has already been done. You have nothing to lose, really.

 

Good suggestions, Stracci, but I don't have those skills. Heck, I can barely glue in replacement rhinestone without making a mess and losing 2 more stones in the process!

 

What is hard on a cameo is easy going for metal.

Stracci is right. Someone never took this off. Water & soap & all the little knocks rings are subject to took their toll. Owner continued to wear even as all features were obliterated.

 

So very sad.
It hurts my heart to see fine jewelry abused this way.

 

The bezel "tabs" are very worn/thin on one side of the ring,the "stone" is also chipped between the tabs the top of the ring had a very hard life.

 

I can't help but think the owner vowed never to take it off, for sentimental reasons that outweighed the condition of the cameo.

 

This.
Someone loved it too much to take it off.

 

I agree. It has to do with the person who gave it to her, or who left it to her. Very touching, really.
That is why many of us collect vintage and antique items, because they are carriers of history.

 

Part of the charm of some of my cameos is that someone loved them enough to have them repaired.

 

Yes, you can see the love for that special jewel. And the skill of repairing things when people didn't have the luxury or inclination to throw things out after one season.