Antique Amethyst Ring

[LadyAmythyst69]

I''m bored so I grabbed my camera & took bunches of pictures of the ring I happened to be wearing today. Ironic because, I don''t really wear this ring that much and it''s probably among the hardest to photograph that I have - especially by myself! So bear with me & hopefully you''ll get a good idea of what it looks like.

The center stone is a cushion cut amethyst - about 5cts I think? Dimensions: 10mm x 8mm. Setting is 14ct white gold with enamel accents in two shades of blue. I''m not sure if the stone is antique - I sort of think not. But the setting is vintage. Not sure of the time period though.

I don''t wear it much because I feel like although the setting is in very good condition, the shank is very delicate and thin. I don''t think this ring could stand up to the beating my life dishes out! I''m also not that much of an amethyst or purple fan even though amethyst is my birthstone. The whole package of this ring is so pretty though that I couldn''t resist.

It was one of my first "real" jewelry purchases.

I''m hoping some of you die hard vintage fans out there will let me know what you think. Enjoy!

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

In this shot you can really see the filigree/pierced metalwork that is all over the shank and around the stone.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Another shot of the pretty metal work on the setting. Now that I''m looking at this I feel like I should wear it more.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

This picture is a little blurry but you can see the flower motifs down the side of the band.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

On my finger, in low light.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

On my finger using the flash.

 

[somethingshiny]

Lovely!!! I do love a pierced setting. Is that enamel where I'm seeing color in the gallery??

ETA- YES, it IS enamel. I was too enthralled with the pics to read closely!!

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Another shot of the band.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

A look at the whole thing. See why I think it''s a bit delicate?

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Blurry dang it! But still kind of a good look at the overall ring.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Last one - pretty purple!

So - any guesses for the time period?

 

[Kaleigh]

It's lovely!! Just love the detail of the setting, the enamel and the engraving. The amethyst is such a rich purple, Yummmm!!

 

[chrono]

Very pretty ring; yes, it should be worn a bit more often. Maybe rotate it with a few other pieces so it can see some sunlight on a weekly basis.

 

[Catmom]

Oooooo, I love it LA! I love the size and color of the stone and I love the enameling. My father used to do enamel work back in the day. He actually did a display case that the Hope diamond sat in for a while. Enameling is really a lost art.

 

[jewelerman]

LadyAmy,
What would this forum be without people like yourself?Thanks for posting this wonderful ring.I love enamel jewelry!I wish i had the piece in hand to look at it more closely.I believe it is a possibility that this ring was made around the early part of the 20th century anywhere from 1910 to 1917.Heres why.There was a huge interest in America in the art of Mid-evil France and England during this period and it showed in the hand made and mass-produced jewelry of the time. The mounting of this ring looks to be made by a manufactor who make this ring in mass and then had the enameling applied after the ring was made, and the stone color picked by the customer or store when ordered...lilac and deeper tones of purple were a popular color for fashions in the earlier years of the century.White gold was popular during and after the war years because it was less expensive than platinum.Im sure you will be doing more research on your ring...let us know what you find!

 

[HollyS]

Date: 11/7/2007 10:15:32 PM
Author: LadyAmythyst69
Last one - pretty purple!

So - any guesses for the time period?

Yummy! Edwardian perhaps?

 

[cagey]

lovely! I like the way that the color changes in different lighting.

The enameling is to DIE FOR. Thanks for posting, now lets see more of your goodies

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Date: 11/8/2007 11:10:32 AM
Author: jewelerman
LadyAmy,
What would this forum be without people like yourself?Thanks for posting this wonderful ring.I love enamel jewelry!I wish i had the piece in hand to look at it more closely.I believe it is a possibility that this ring was made around the early part of the 20th century anywhere from 1910 to 1917.Heres why.There was a huge interest in America in the art of Mid-evil France and England during this period and it showed in the hand made and mass-produced jewelry of the time. The mounting of this ring looks to be made by a manufactor who make this ring in mass and then had the enameling applied after the ring was made, and the stone color picked by the customer or store when ordered...lilac and deeper tones of purple were a popular color for fashions in the earlier years of the century.White gold was popular during and after the war years because it was less expensive than platinum.Im sure you will be doing more research on your ring...let us know what you find!

I totally think you are right! Thank you! There was just something about this ring that I couldn''t identify and now I think "of course! medieval!" Pretty stupid of me since I heavily studied the Pre-Raphaelites and I really think the style of this ring must have been influenced by that whole aesthetic movement which in turn was highly influenced by the medieval. I guess it just takes another set of eyes to jog the old brain into action!

Also, now that I am thinking about it, I think I was told that the ring was made "around the turn of the century" so that would fit right in with that theory.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Date: 11/8/2007 3:04:47 PM
Author: cagey
lovely! I like the way that the color changes in different lighting.

The enameling is to DIE FOR. Thanks for posting, now lets see more of your goodies

Thanks Cagey - I haven''t really seen anything else like it with the enameling. If other rings are out there I''d love to see them!

I''ll def. post more of my hoarde of jewels. (LOL) But I''m a slowpoke about picture taking I admit it!

 

[Love in Bloom]

What a gorgeous shade of purple, and the enameled antique setting is ooober lovely! Thanks for sharing!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That is really pretty, LadyA! I wish I had the time to go exploring for antique rings. I think they are so beautiful!

 

[Selkie]

Gorgeous ring, LadyAmythyst! I hope you wear it more often, it deserves it.

 

[jewelerman]

Lady Amy,
louis comfort Tiffany didnt want to follow in his famous fathers foot steps and run Tiffany & Co.He wanted to follow his heart and interest in midieval art.His interest in gothic style churchs influenced his interest in designing stained glass items and the moorish,gothic and medieval style of his art jewelry.

 

[LadyAmythyst69]

Date: 11/9/2007 1:10:56 AM
Author: jewelerman
Lady Amy,
louis comfort Tiffany didnt want to follow in his famous fathers foot steps and run Tiffany & Co.He wanted to follow his heart and interest in midieval art.His interest in gothic style churchs influenced his interest in designing stained glass items and the moorish,gothic and medieval style of his art jewelry.

Another great speculation on the source of the style of this ring! I''m starting to think my ring looks better and better.

I do see similarities - especially in the use of enamelling to mimic the feeling of stained glass. And to my eye that is a very French look. I think of the great stained glass windows of French cathedrals and the technique and look of cloisonne...the gothic & medieval come to life!

Don''t you find that knowing the history of any object increases your love and respect for it...or is that just the historian in me talking?

 

[jewelerman]

I agree that my training in art history has been advantagious to the appreciation and identification of antique jewelry.I love to study old famous gems in connection to their famous owners...the hope,the sancy ,the mountain of light , the cullinan to mention a few that have gone through history and the follies of their owners during wars,revolutions and world events.PLEASE post more of your fun antique pieces...i would but im not computer literate to the point of posting pics of my own collection...

 

[Gypsy]

I LOVE IT! Beautiful.

 

[sera]

VERY pretty ring! I love the colors.

 

[jewelerman]

LadyAmy,
Im sure that the forum antique jewelry obsessed are ready to see more of your collection!Please send asap!