Men's Snake Ring from Gold Rush Era Devours All Other Snake Rings

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Men's Snake Ring from Gold Rush Era Devours All Other Snake Rings

About the Item

When she was eighteen, Victoria became Queen Victoria. When she was twenty-one, she proposed to her cousin, a German prince named Albert. He said yes and presented her with an engagement ring in the shape of a serpent that spiraled around her finger. Here we are nearly two hundred years later, and snake or serpent rings have never been more popular than they are *right now*. They've never gone out of style because they are immune to the capricious whims of fashion. I have never owned a snake ring because when I was seven I stepped on a rattlesnake at my grandparents' house in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Although it did not strike me, it nonetheless poisoned me against snakes and snake rings and snake anythings. Then I saw this ring and I crossed the bridge of "never." Once I held it in my hand and felt its significant weight; once I slid it onto my finger and experienced the perfection of the goldsmithing, and once I saw the cute and happy face of the snake, that was it. I fell in love with it. "I will never sell this ring," I told myself. "This one, I will keep." And I have said those exact words at least 1,217 times. Which is why I now have a store. Hand-fabricated during the great American gold rush years—circa 1850—from solid 18k American-found gold, this is the snake ring that eats all other snake rings for lunch. You can do a Google search for "Victorian snake ring" and you will find an endless number of them from which to choose. Many will feature large diamonds, sapphires, emeralds or rubies. And while this one has two tiny ruby eyes and a small diamond atop its head, all set within silver bezels, it completely eclipses every other serpent ring I have ever seen. There's very fine hand-carving on the top and sides. The tail is perfectly and artfully curved and has never been dented. The ring is in exceptionally fine condition, with an interior that is smoother than you knew metal could be. The richness of the gold has become deeply saturated over time, and the patina is perfect: no deep scratches or dings, just an overall glowing smooth satiny finish, the result of being sand-blasted by over a century of life. On my left hand is my wedding ring: a massive mid-century diamond ring that's over-the-top and looks like the Chrysler building in Manhattan. I wore the snake ring for about a week on my other hand and received more compliments and comments about it in those seven days than I have on my diamond ring for as long as I've worn it. This would be the coolest wedding band for a creative, maybe *slightly* eccentric (in a good way) guy. And because it's a snake ring, it can be worn by anyone, not just a man. Currently a size 9 and a 9 it must stay.

Metal:
18k Gold
Stone:
Diamond,Ruby
Weight:
21 g
Style:
Victorian
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1850-1859
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1850s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent condition, with no dents, damage or repairs.
Seller Location:
Southbury, CT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU158917206501