abdullah b. abbas, with whom allah is pleased, said:

the messenger of allah, may allah exalt his mention, saw a man wearing a gold ring, so he reached for it, removed it and threw it. he then said:

'would one of you seek a burning charcoal and place it on his hand?!'

the man was later told, after the prophet, may allah exalt his mention, left: 'take your ring! make good use of it [by selling it].' the man said: 'no, by allah! i will never take it after the messenger of allah, may allah exalt his mention, threw it away.'  (muslim #2090)