Marion Richardson thought she was doing a good deed when she gave an old coat away to charity.
But she forgot she had hidden her wedding and engagement rings in the pocket for safe keeping.
The 69-year-old is desperate to get them back but cannot remember which charity she gave the coat to.
Mrs Richardson said: "I went as white as a sheet when I realised. I went to look for my rings because I wanted to wear them.
"That's when I remembered I had put them in the coat pocket once when I was going out because it would be an unlikely place for burglars to look."
Mrs Richardson was pleased to help when a charity clothing donations bag dropped through her letterbox in Ashurst Road, Brighton.
She carefully selected a smart denim coat and left it on her doorstep for collection.
By the time she remembered leaving a handful of jewellery in the coat, the bag was long gone.
Mrs Richardson cannot remember who collected it.
She said: "We get so many of these bags, I lost track.
"I've phoned most of the main charities but none of them had been collecting at the time."
The four rings are worth a few hundred pounds but, more importantly, they have special sentimental value to Mrs Richardson.
As well as her 1972 wedding and sapphire engagement bands she lost a heart-patterned amethyst stone ring and another in a v-shape.
Mrs Richardson, who divorced her husband Laszlo Hortobagyi in 1982, said: "The rings are a part of my life and my memories.
"They mean a great deal to me. I used to wear them a lot and I miss them terribly.
"It was such a silly thing to do. I'm a hoarder by nature and don't normally give objects to charity but this coat was taking up a lot of space so I thought it would be good to get rid of it.
"It was a one-off donation but I wish I hadn't bothered now."
Mrs Richardson is now concerned the coat and rings could end up in the wrong hands.
She said: "I've since been told about bogus charities who collect clothes for needy people but then sell them on for profit.
"I hope if I don't get them back they go to someone who really needs the money."
Mrs Richardson appealed to charities to keep a lookout for the coat, which is fleece-lined and three-quarter length.
She said: "It's a long shot but I would be absolutely delighted if I got the rings back."
Have you seen Mrs Richardson's rings? Call Rob Hustwayte at The Argus on 01273 732648.
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