Antique Georgian ring. Gold, silver, diamonds, sapphire. Made in the Unite Kingdom, late 18th century.
Measurements:
Weight is 2.2 grams. Approximately US size 6 1/2.
Description :
Classic Georgian ring, often worn stacked in groups. The center of the bezel is a rectangular, pale blue sapphire in a gold close-backed mount. The back of the mount has the fluted, shell shape that is almost a signature of Georgian jewelry. Sapphire is flat, step-cut as used from the Renaissance era. On either side of the sapphire, forming the shoulders, is a pair of simply rose-cut diamonds set in silver. Diamonds were almost always set in silver to show them off to better advantage in candle or gas light. The band forks into two flaring wings on either side of the diamonds. The rest of the band is a simple gold hoop.
A rare and very pretty example of this kind of ring that was so popular during the 18th century. They were worn on any and every finger. These versatile and beautiful rings can be seen in surviving portraits of wealthy women. A variety of these rings, including one almost identical to this one is shown in the book Georgian Jewellery 1714 - 1830 by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings (page 32).
Marks and Metal:
No marks as is to be expected. Electronic testing shows that the top/bezel is high 14k (close to 15k) and the back, where the ring was probably resized as 10k.
Condition:
As expected, minor wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
During the Georgian era, wearing jewels especially made for the day became more popular than ever before. These versatile rings that look so good on the finger, are often to be seen in paintings and were worn on every finger, sometimes singly and sometimes stacked. We can imagine the women who, for so many generations over the last 250 years enjoyed and took care of this ring. The ring is a physical bond between these generations of women. You can be the next link in this chain of woman who wore it and who will wear it in future generations.
A note on color: some of the photos show the sapphire with a tinge of gold/green, which is the effect of the gold backing behind the blue gem.
