Small Ancient Roman Period Gold Garnet Cabochon Ring Antique

A beautiful and scarce example of a Late Roman triple-layered ring set with garnet cabochons, circa 3rd century AD. The flat band is made from a thick hammered sheet of high karat go...

This antique conversion piece started life as a regional ‘Croix Badine’ (Badine cross) dating to the late 18th century, the most emblematic jewel of the Catalan part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The badine cross is a regional cross mounted with rose cut and foiled Perpignan garnets...

A stunning and rare example of a European renaissance ring dating to circa 1600! It would have originally been worn by a young women of a wealthy and noble family. The tear-drop shaped bezel is encircled by multiple cuffs enamelled in white. Intricate chased scrolled detailing continues down the shoulders with further evidence of enamelling. In the centre rests a rose cut closed back garnet gemstone (a later replacement). UK size G / US size 3.5, 1.79g, tested as 22k gold. The stone measures 4mm across. As the garnet stone replacement is not the perfect shape for the pear-shaped bezel, it could be easily replaced to a stone of your choice by a local jeweller! During the Renaissance, finger rings developed from the simple forms of the medieval period into miniature works of art, combining the skills of the chaser, engraver, enameller and stone...

An unusual ancient Roman gold ring dating to the late 4th century AD. The bezel is set with a much earlier object, a scarce Archaic Greek electrum coin. The electrum coins of the ancient kingdoms of Ionia and Lydia are considered as the first true coins ever struck. Dating to the end of the 7th century BC these lumpy coins started a monetary revolution in the ancient Greek world. This type of globular metal coin was made from an alloy of gold and silver known to the Greeks as elektron. Although ancient sources indicated that this alloy was a natural ore found in nugget form in many riverbeds in the region, recent studies have concluded that this was actually not the case, and that the electrum used in coinage was, in fact, man-made. It is not uncommon for earlier elements, particularly gems and coins, to be re-used in later jewellery. However, the present ring may be unique in that it incorporates a coin which was already over 900 years old at the time the ring was made. The coin was likely a chance find that was cherished for its age or amuletic value. The ring is set with square-shaped bezel which protrudes outwards with a raised circular collar, and the solid D-sectioned band tapers towards the back. According to Classical scholar Martin Henig’s classification of Roman ring types, this example is of Henig type XV design and is therefore dateable to the late 4th to early 5th century AD. A referenced example of this ring shape which also dates to the 4th century AD can be found in ‘Rings: The Alice and Louis Koch Collection - Vol I’ (item no. 441), see final photo for example. The very earliest electrum globule coins were non-pictorial on one side with simple square punch marks on the other. As the side that is displayed on the ring is just the punch marks, it is likely that the reverse is non-pictorial. These plain globular examples, along with the striated versions are the rarest electrum coins and are ascribed to the region of Ionia c. 650-600 BC. Nine similar plain electrum pieces were within the famous ‘Artemision Find’ at Ephesus in 1904. Due to the unlikelihood of these coins being found by chance and subsequently used in later rings by the Romans, I have only been able to find two other examples of this ring type that have sold at auction. Firstly, one set with an electrum hekte sold in Christie’s ‘Ancient Jewelry’ sale...

A gorgeous antique French Art Nouveau figural ring made in Paris, circa 1900. The ring is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features an 1.63ct star spinel. ...

This beautiful piece was made in France and dates to the early 19th century. The ring is set with an oval rose cut diamond in a cut down rub over setting. The closed back diamond res...

A museum quality ancient Roman gold ring, circa 400 AD. This hollow ring is bezel-set with a garnet intaglio of Hippocamp – a fish-tailed horse that w...

Byzantine empire, circa 6th century AD. The hollow gold ring is embellished with an oval cabochon cut amethyst. The amethyst measures 12.38 x 7.55 mm. Size of the bezel is 15 x 11 mm...

This beautiful Spessartite Garnet cabochon ring in 22 Karat gold with granulation, illustrates how ancient jewelry techniques are applied to contempo...

An ancient garnet intaglio depicting three chasing hares, mounted in a heavy 18 karat gold ring. The carved garnet intaglio is Roman and dates back to the 1st-2nd century. Intaglio measures 1 cm at widest Set in heavy 18 Karat Gold newer setting size 7.25 US. easily sizable Excellent Condition and Rare and Collectible, Three Hares...

Antique victorian garnet ring in open work style centered with engraved garnet stone topped with a rose cut diamond with total gold weigh...

2 carat natural cabochon crimson red garnet ring Garnet measures 6.7 mm diameter Clean clarity and transparent Total weight 8.1 g Depth of ring 10.5 mm Ring is 11 mm wide Size...