The ring and button
You visit a local jeweller and show him the signet ring and a button of scrimshaw work.

He suggests the device on the ring may belong to some kind of society, possibly Masonic. The button is obviously a sailor's handy work. Do you view this as nothing worth pursuing? Or do you find out more about the Masons from your newspaper sources? Or do you visit the docks to see if you can find a sailor who's lost a button?