Sheldon tilted his head. “Mom, value is subjective. A diamond’s value comes from rarity and marketing. Moissanite is rarer in nature but cheaper to make. However, this ring was your mother’s. Its sentimental value is infinite. The rock is just a rock. The meaning is what you assign to it.”
“Sheldon, no experiments. I just need a simple answer.”
“Mom,” Sheldon said, “your repetitive fidgeting with that box suggests anxiety. Statistically, anxiety at breakfast is caused by either financial trouble or hidden jewelry. Given the box, I’m leaning toward the latter.”
Mary’s face fell. “All these years, I thought it was real.”
Mary sighed and opened it. Inside was a modest diamond ring. “This was your Meemaw’s engagement ring. I’m thinking of giving it to Georgie for his girlfriend… but I’m not sure it’s real.”