Family Jewels Safe Following Bling Fling

One man’s bling is another man’s “heirloom bling”:

It was bling that had sent them into the sewers.

Andres Rodriguez was serving corn on the cob at an east Williamsburg farmers’ market Saturday when he lost an amethyst gemstone that had been in his family for 40 years.

But after shedding a few tears, Rodriguez got help from city Environmental Protection Department workers, who yesterday retrieved the family heirloom from gallons of gobs of gook.

“He was heartbroken,” said his wife Christian Rodriguez.

“He said, ‘I have very bad news and my heart is broken.’ He was crying. I thought someone died.”

The 40-year-old heirloom, a gift from his father, Andres, dropped into a Cook St. sewer grate. “My heart went right inside with it,” said Rodriguez, 66.

This important ring had to be retrieved, which is when DEP stepped in:

The ring, as well as a diamond ring that didn’t go the way of the sewer, are expected to be willed to one of Andres Rodriguez’s seven sons, all also named Andres.

Two of Andres Rodriguez’s grandsons are also named Andres.

DEP workers yesterday lifted the grate and lifted two loads of grime, wrappers, cups and trash bags with a catch basin.

Once the trash was unloaded, workers raked through the muck and found the ring — in less than 15 minutes.

And you may or may not realize that this happens fairly frequently:

DEP district supervisor Jamie Berkeley, one of three workers who sifted through sludge to find the bling, said New Yorkers call 311 daily in search of lost items.

Although car keys are the item most often lost, Berkeley said he has personally rescued pets, jewelry, wallets and weapons.