Huge Antique Georgian Mourning Ring Silver Black Dot Paste Hair Locket Opens

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Huge Antique Georgian Mourning Ring Silver Black Dot Paste Hair Locket Opens:
$152.50

Description:Lovely, antique, closed-back, foiled-back, black dot paste and silver mourning ring from the Georgian period. The ring features a center face hair locket of rectangular shape which contains the tightly woven hair of a lost loved one. Sixteen paste stones surround the locket. In the center of each paste stone is a black dot added to mimic the culet of an old cut diamond of the time. The setting and the band test for silver but are not marked. The ring face measures 1\" by 7/8\", an impressive size! I think it may be that this piece was once a brooch that was converted at some point during its existence. The locket compartment does come out! I have been asked often if I have any mourning rings that have a locket that opens. The hair is backed by what looks like cardboard and can thus be easily removed if you\'d like to replace the contents. The ring size is 8.75-9 US. Sizing may not be exact as this piece is old and the shape of the band is different from a modern ring, but the ring can be resized by a jeweler within reason. This piece is offered in good antique condition with wear in keeping age. The paste stones are in good condition with wear visible mainly only with magnification. However, three stones are replacements. In all, nice condition for a ring that is easily around 250 years old. What I love most about this ring is that the stones are white black dot paste and the metal is silver. This is such a lovely combo! Low start price with !

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Background:Paste is a type of leaded glass (or sometimes rock crystal) cut and polished to look like diamonds. In fact, to Georgian people of the time, paste was fine jewelry, so it was set in precious metal. From my understanding, the nobility often left their jewels at home to keep them safe when they went out and wore their paste. Why? Imagine during this period when people traveled locally by stage coach. All to often people were held up by highwaymen. People even wore paste jewelry at court in both France and England during the Georgian period. One note about Georgian paste stones is that they are typically backed with foil and then closed to the back with the metal the piece is set in, so it is important not to get it wet or you may find the foil backing creates discoloration.

Materials: Glass, foil, human hair.

Measurements:Ring size is 8.75-9 US. The inner diameter of the band is approximately 20mm. Thering face measures 1\" by 7/8\".

Weight: 11.1 grams.

Date estimate: Georgian Era (1714-1837), probably late 18th century to early 1800s.

Origin: European.

Condition:Good antique condition with wear to the stones and metal in keeping with age and use but which is mostly visible with magnification. Three stones are replacements. In all, nice condition for a ring that is easily around 250 years old.