WELLINGTON, Fla.-- Nicole Benjoino said it was a simple mistake that caused her wedding ring to be stolen.
"I did a very ridiculous thing. I took the rings off, washed my hands," she said Friday afternoon.
Earlier this month, Benjoino visited the Mall at Wellington Green with her daughter.
While her daughter was shopping with friends, Benjoino went to a jeweler to have her wedding ring and band cleaned.
"The jeweler suggested that when I take a shower or wash my hands that I take them off. I mentioned that I never take my rings off," she said.
After visiting the jeweler, Benjoino visited Bath and Body Works to sample some soaps.
That's when she said she took off her rings to wash her hands, and never put them back on.
"By the time I realized they weren't on my hands, they were gone."
The rings are valued at $14,000, but Benjoino said she's not upset about the money.
"My grandmother had given those rings to me, I actually got married on my grandmother's birthday, everything that I wear is in memory of her, every butterfly that I have."
Benjoino said her grandmother helped raise her when she was a child. She was devastated when she passed away a few years ago and said the ring always reminded her of her grandmother.
"Just having the ring on my finger was like her being a part of me... just protecting me," she said.
She said she can't bring herself to put another ring on in its place, adding that if she gets the rings back she may never wear them again.
"I'm not even sure I want to wear them anymore. I just want to put them away so my daughter can wear them for her wedding," Benjoino said.
The incident happened on September 4. If you know who's behind the crime, you're urged to contact Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS. You can remain anonymous.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office encourages residents to download the "See Something Say Something" app which also allows you to anonymously report crimes.