HISTORY
About ten years ago (circa 1990-91) I bought a piece of jewelry which
I lost shortly thereafter, and would love to buy a new one, or have
one made from scratch from a skilled jeweler.  I'm 95% certain that I
bought it from the Franklin Mint. I'm 90% certain that it was called
"ring of the black prince."  I originally saw a full-page color ad for
it in a magazine [if only I could remember WHICH magazine!  GQ
perhaps?] (very similar to the ones that Franklin Mint runs nowadays)
where you could buy it outright or in monthly installments (I'd guess
that it cost $800-1200 at the time).

The ring was based in yellow gold, with ridged sides of the ring, with
a black shield shape on top (I believe the shield shape was made of
black onyx). On the shield I believe there was a design (a lion
perhaps?).  It was a very regal-looking ring.

HERE'S MY QUESTION
Satisfy any of the following:  Find me a photo (online/scanned image
is fine) of the ring, OR tell me what magazine+month+year the
advertisement is in, OR find a place/person where I can buy this.

TIME-SAVING NOTES
I've done extensive google searching to no avail for:
"ring of the black prince" 
ring "black prince" "franklin mint"
ring "black prince"
etc...

Plus I've tried searching franklinmint.com.

---

Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 07 Dec 2002 23:55 PST

Hi crimson_harlequin,
I believe I may have found the ring you are looking for. Is there
anything else on the ring that you remember besides a lion? The rings
I have found are black on top but the lion and other engravings
(stars?) are done in gold. Does this sound like the ring you are
looking for? Let me know and in the meantime I will keep searching.
Thanks!
rainbow~

---

Clarification of Question by crimson_harlequin-ga on 08 Dec 2002 01:03 PST

It's been too long for me to accurately remember exactly what was on
the top of the ring. I remember the top of the ring having a black
background, and that the shape was remencient of a shield. A gold lion
on a black background with a star or diamond in the upper corner could
very well be it. If it's an accurate representation of the historical
Edward, the Black Prince, then I would suppose it would be based off
Ed's crest/shield [which I believe was a lion].  I'm sure if I saw a
decent resolution image of the ring, I would know right away.  If you
are looking at an image of something that it might be, look at the
sides of the ring. I'm certain that the sides are ribbed (don't know
how else to describe it).

Where did you locate the image in question? I'm very interested in
your methodology and what you've tried so far, and of course, in
seeing the what you think could be it.

Is it permissible to post an image here? Now that I think of it most
questions here have answers in words. I'm happy to post my email
address, should you need it, or home address if you can't scan.

---

Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 08 Dec 2002 12:45 PST

Hi crimson_harlequin,
Take a look at this ring and let me know if it fits the description. 
http://www.lucidmatrix.com/uploads/bo-rg-lion.jpg 

I have another one but this one seems closer to what you described.
I'll keep looking for more.
Regards,
rainbow~

---

Clarification of Question by crimson_harlequin-ga on 08 Dec 2002 18:14 PST

Looked at http://www.lucidmatrix.com/uploads/bo-rg-lion.jpg and it's
not it.  The top of that ring is round/oval, where the one I am
looking for has a top that is in the shape of a shield. The sides of
the ring seem to have an intricate design, the ring I'm looking for
has ribs (looks like a bunch of speed bumps in a row).

If you have a bunch of links for me to check out, feel free to post
them all. I have a high-speed connection.

I checked eBay, and saw some other Franklin Mint rings, but not this
one.  I would recommond that you search eBay periodically, or save a
search and have eBay e-mail you when a match turns up.  Almost
everything shows up on eBay eventually!

Greetings!

I was doing research when your question expired.  I was going to post
a Question Clarification, but that option disappeared.  I am going to
post this as a comment and hope that you will get this message.

I have located 4 Franklin Mint men's rings made containing black onyx
backgrounds.  If you are still interested, you may want to post the
question again and I will continue the search for the elusive ring.

In the meantime, check out this link to see one of these rings fit the
bill.  I thought the "Wings of Gold" fit your description somewhat. 
The side of the ring does have ridges resembling "speed bumps".  Good
luck and here is the link:
http://www.franklinmint.com/tfmweb/search/keyword_results.asp?keyword=black+onyx+ring&orsr_url_addr=LS--4esCAAAAAACmMxmIAQE%3D&gift=0&gender_cd=+&iss_prce=0

Regards,
madsky101

Hi madsky101. thanks for the franklinmint.com link, but none of those
items are it. a few months ago I searched through all of franklin
mint's rings online and definatively believe it's not on the site.

When posting the question I only could forsee two ways of solving my
query, going through some old magazines and getting lucky and the
other contacting the a research/archives department at franklin mint.

I really don't mind so much it not getting solved as much as I mind
not getting feedback as to what people are trying...

Hi crimson_harlequin,
First, I would like to apologize for not getting back to you sooner.
We had a storm here and I lost my internet connection for a week :(
The ring I showed you in the url seemed like the closest one I could
find with the description you gave. But I will keep searching for you.
Since your question has expired, I will be posting any progress as a
comment.
Regards,
rainbow~

I'll repost the question after the holidays. The $ is still available
if you find the ring.  I'm very curious what methods, search terms,
etc you have tried.