Engagement ring belonging to Mimoza Ilieva. Photo / Supplied
Engagement ring belonging to Mimoza Ilieva. Photo / Supplied
• North Shore couple Mimoza Ilieva and Christopher Sutton have been left devastated after Ilieva's $15,000 diamond engagement ring was allegedly stolen from their living room.
• The couple are appealing for ring to be returned, and for those buying rings to make sure goods are not stolen.
• It's been a tough year for the couple - Ilieva has been off work six months after breaking her leg in three places.
It's been a year of joy and despair for Mimoza Ilieva.
Last year, she became engaged to her partner, Christopher Sutton. That's the joy part.
Then came the despair - six months ago she broke her leg in three places. And last week, the kicker, her $15,000 custom-made diamond engagement ring was stolen, she said.
Worse, Sutton is still paying it off. He still owes about $5000 on the ring and has been told a replacement will cost more than $22,000.
The Takapuna couple, who will marry in California next year, are desperate to get the ring back. They are pleading with anyone who buys a similar ring to make sure it was not stolen.
"It just breaks my heart that somebody could do this. I'm still hoping somebody will return it," Ilieva said.
"I've offered there to be no consequences if someone gives it back."
The while gold ring, which is set with one large diamond surrounded by 28 smaller diamonds, disappeared from a shelf in their living room on Thursday last week. One other ring also vanished.
The disappearance had been reported to police and they were investigating, including speaking with visitors to the house, Ilieva said.
There had not been a break in.
Mimoza Ilieva and Christopher Sutton of Takapuna. Photo / Supplied
The diamond had been engraved with a code to identify it, she said.
She had house and contents insurance, but was not sure if it would cover the ring. Police had told her to wait a few days before reporting the ring's disappearance, but she expected she would make contact with her insurer tomorrow.
It had been a rough year for the couple, who will marry in California next year.
Ilieva broke her leg six months ago, spent several months in a wheelchair and was still on leave from her job as a library researcher.
Her partner had also been off work as he sorted out his visa after emigrating to New Zealand. He will soon start a new job as a project manager, Ilieva said.
