Antique jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras
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Georgian ring with foil backed amethyst and seed pearls

Rare Georgian mourning ring with foil backed amethyst surrounded by seed pearls, dated 1819.

Reference #: 9213

Status: sold

Dimensions: finger size 7; top is approx. 1/2 by 5/8 inch

Condition: excellent and all original, age appropriate wear to some of the pearls


Year: ca. 1810;  inscribed with date of 1819

Price: $495 sold

Description: Rare Georgian mourning ring with foil backed amethyst surrounded by seed pearls. The inscription inside the ring reads, "Mary Wildosh (or Wildash), obt 1 March 1819 aet 21."
This ring would have been worn during the second stage of mourning.  During the first stage (typically one year), mourners only wore black.  In the second stage, it was appropriate for women in mourning to wear the color purple.   It is very hard to find jewelry that was made for the second stage of mourning.  Due to financial constraints, it was unusual for a woman to commission a piece of jewelry to be made specifically for her second stage of mourning. 


Visually, the ring is quite stunning; the foil backing on the amethyst adds depth and intensity to the cabochon stone.  The lovely Georgian setting is rose gold, most likely 9kt.
To see other images of this item, please click on the following thumbnail photos: