Edwardian Carved Jade Ring in White Gold

I like to rock a signet ring now and again. I may or may not make up elaborate family histories whenever a stranger comments on it (which is often). If I was rocking this particular signet, I would tell a tale of it being passed down through the generations by my late Great-great Uncle, the Marquise of Landsdowne.

“See,” I would say, “here’s our family crest, a hive of busy bees with the words ‘Virtute, non verbis’.”

“Oh, it means ‘by virtue, not by words’,” I’d explain, “what can I say, we’re do-er’s.”

If I had longer to spin my yarn I might flesh it out a bit, tell my ancestors deeds, of how we were Navy people going back to the 12th century, maybe throw in a pirate story or two. After all, who doesn’t like a good tale of intrigue on the high seas?

This marvelous signet ring was handcrafted in Birmingham, England in 1856. It is set with a carved bloodstone seal which boast an active beehive and the words ‘Virtute Non Verbis’. The seal is set into a smooth ring of 18 karat gold with a wonderful weight and soft, silky feel. Inside the band of this size 7.5 ring are the hallmarks for Birmingham, England and the date code H for the year 1856, it also has an ’18’ for the gold content and the makers mark ‘HA’. This ring measures 15 mm north to south and 13 mm across, the stone itself measures 11.8 mm north to south and 9.9 mm across. The ring sits 3.1 mm off the finger and narrows to 3 mm at the back of the band, it weighs 5.7 grams.

If you’re looking for some instant ancestry, a signet ring is a perfect place to start. Even if it’s not your family, history is history, am I right?

I offer a 3 or 4 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

Like it or not, our human history and mythology is highly connected to the imagery and iconography of the serpent. Cleopatra wore golden snakes, Eve was notoriously taken in by one, the Buddhists say that Mucalinda, king of the snakes, guarded the Buddha while he sat in meditation, and the ancient Egyptians worshiped the snake goddess Wajet, who protected the pharaohs, while simultaneously fearing her son, Nehebkau, the two headed serpent who guarded the entrance to the underworld. The snake biting it's own tail has been used through the ages to represent the cyclic and infinite nature of all of life, and the motif is thought to have been inspired by the stars of the Milky Way. Snakes intertwined have long embodied the perfection and eternity of love.

This unusual and beautifully hand crafted ring is made up of not one or two, but four fantastic snakes curing their way around your finger. Each snakes head is set with a different gemstone, representing the four most precious of stones, diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. I knew I had to have the rare and lovely thing the second that I first laid eyes on it. This ring is a size 8 and would be difficult (although not impossible) to re-size; it measures 15 mm north to south and weighs 4.2 grams. This ring is marked with ‘585’ indicating that it’s 14 karat gold. I’m not certain where it was made, but it likely dates to about 1890-1900, I found it in Belgium.

There is something very powerful about a man in a gold ring. Throw in a couple of snakes and that power speaks to yummy. (This ring would be equally beautiful and powerful on a woman, don’t get me wrong).

I offer a 3 or 4 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

Before the sun never set on the British Empire, it never set on the Spanish one. In fact, all the way up to the end of the eighteenth century it was Spain, not Britain, who controlled most of the Americas, both North and South.

This gorgeous and rare Iberian ring was hand crafted in Spain or Portugal around 1750. It is set with a mix of table cut rubies and spinels in a stylized bow motif. Ribbons used to tie gems around the wrist and neck morphed into the bow becoming a highly desired style in jewels of all kinds. Careful acid testing reveals that the ring is made in 14-15 karat gold. This ring is a size 12.5 US and measures 18 mm north to south and 26.3 mm across, it sits 5.7 mm off the hand and narrows to 3.7 mm at the back of the band. This ring weighs 4.9 grams and has several old marks that are no longer legible.

This ring is in very lovely condition for a piece that’s over 260 years old, all of the 15 stones are present and appear to be original. Please note that this ring is very old and while it can be worn, great care should be taken with it, it is also thinly built in keeping with the designs of the time. As with all foil backed rings, care should be taken to keep this ring dry.

I offer a 3 or 4 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!