Evaluating Georgian Ring

[newtojewels]

If you know the seller, please don't link this! Not that I think it's the deal of the century, but I don't have it on hold and obviously antique pieces are usually one-of-a-kind. It would be under $750, for price context.

I've been eyeing this ring for a while and going to Lang's and getting the art deco brooch is making me think again about my dream of owning a Georgian piece. I'm a big Jane Austen fan and even if this dates a little after her death, it's still solidly regency era. It is in colors that I like and wear and it would not need to be resized -- it should fit my index fingers, middle fingers, and thumbs on both hands, which is unusual for an antique ring given my relatively larger finger size. The seller says there has been a repair on the band in the past, possibly from resizing, and that one of the turquoise stones is chipped but otherwise it's in good antique condition.

However, it is 200+ years old and pearl and turquoise (in 15k gold, for whatever that's worth) so I know it's not exactly the sturdiest thing in the world. Obviously I would need to be gentle with it, but does anyone see any specific reasons for concern? And I assume this is a ring I should avoid getting wet as much as possible even though it's unlikely to be foil-backed. Any other care things to consider?

Thank you for any thoughts!

 

[Joanne10]

Oh, that is very pretty! The engraved part is stunning!

I have a 1830-1840s ring. I honestly baby it to the moon and back. (Pearl and ruby, for context.) I wear it very very rarely, and very VERY carefully. I love very old jewellery as pieces of history first, and adornment second. But that’s just me.

From what I can tell from the pictures, the stones look secure enough. I personally would go ahead and buy it, if you love it. If you do buy it, I think it’s a good idea to take it to a jeweller who specialises in antiques to check if there are any loose stones and to do any necessary retipping on the prongs or other repairs.

 

[Mreader]

Is that white gold? I would be suspicious whether or not it’s a Georgian piece if it’s white gold.

 

[Joanne10]

Is that white gold? I would be suspicious whether or not it’s a Georgian piece if it’s white gold.

Good one, I’d forgotten about that aspect, while at the same time assuming it’s just the lighting what makes the gold look so pale. (I’ve got a terrible ear infection at the moment and sleeping quite poorly because of the pain. My mind does funny stuff as a result.)

I’d ask the vendor to send you some photos in natural daylight to see the colour of the gold. If the metal is still white, I’d think it’s made of silver rather than gold, or that it’s not a Georgian piece, like @Mreader suggested.

 

[newtojewels]

Is that white gold? I would be suspicious whether or not it’s a Georgian piece if it’s white gold.

It does look pale, doesn't it? I've been looking at the seller's other listings to see if that's a photography thing or if it seems to actually reflect the color. They call it yellow gold.

Edit: it looks much yellower in an Instagram video. Here's a screenshot:

 

[RRfromR]

This is so incredibly romantic. I love it.

 

[newtojewels]

This is so incredibly romantic. I love it.

Here's a very very similar ring in 15k gold with pearls and garnets for $493 with a 5% off code I got after putting it in my cart! UK size N/US size 6.5-6.75: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1714576352/antique-georgian-gold-pearl-garnet-ring Unfortunately the one I'm eyeing is more expensive but it makes some sense given the different seller and the rarer ring size. This one would fit my ring finger so I was contemplating that too. They're similar enough, though, that it gives me some worry about authenticity....

 

[newtojewels]

For context. Similar enough to show a trend? Coincidentally the same jeweler from way back then? Or a sign of a convincing reproduction?


Another very similar ring:

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think it was probably just a popular style as I’ve seen many similar motifs in rings from that period.

It’s very pretty.

 

[glitterata]

Are they claiming it's turquoise or "turquoise paste" (colored glass)? I would be surprised to see turquoise so evenly matched in color after 200 years--most antique turquoise pieces have more uneven color. I would expect at least a few to have gone green or at least greenish over the centuries. But I'm seeing some chips (the big one the seller mentioned and a couple more, smaller ones), so maybe it's turquoise glass? The perfectly matched pearls in perfect condition are also suspicious to me, especially given the worn turquoises.

The set of similar rings is suspicious, but they're not identical, so it could just mean that somebody collected examples of a once-popular style--either the seller or someone whose collection the seller bought. (Or am I misunderstanding--are those all from different sellers?)

I collect Victorian and Georgian jewelry, and while that turquoise ring is very pretty, I would not buy it myself, especially for a price in the $700 range. I would consider it too fragile to wear very much. However, I get the sense you have a bigger jewelry budget than I do, and I've been collecting these things for years and am used to the much lower prices of long ago.

Edited to add:
Fellow Janeite! Here's JA's turquoise ring, which is a nice bright blue, so maybe I'm wrong that the turquoise should have discolored.

Jane Austen's Ring | Jane Austen's House

Visit Jane Austen's House - the Hampshire cottage at which Jane Austen lived and penned her novels, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice.

janeaustens.house

 

[RRfromR]

I think it was probably just a popular style as I’ve seen many similar motifs in rings from that period.

It’s very pretty.

@Dreamer_D it was the Yurman of the time

 

[newtojewels]

Are they claiming it's turquoise or "turquoise paste" (colored glass)? I would be surprised to see turquoise so evenly matched in color after 200 years--most antique turquoise pieces have more uneven color. I would expect at least a few to have gone green or at least greenish over the centuries. But I'm seeing some chips (the big one the seller mentioned and a couple more, smaller ones), so maybe it's turquoise glass? The perfectly matched pearls in perfect condition are also suspicious to me, especially given the worn turquoises.

The set of similar rings is suspicious, but they're not identical, so it could just mean that somebody collected examples of a once-popular style--either the seller or someone whose collection the seller bought. (Or am I misunderstanding--are those all from different sellers?)

I collect Victorian and Georgian jewelry, and while that turquoise ring is very pretty, I would not buy it myself, especially for a price in the $700 range. I would consider it too fragile to wear very much. However, I get the sense you have a bigger jewelry budget than I do, and I've been collecting these things for years and am used to the much lower prices of long ago.

Thank you so much for weighing in! I was hoping that you would since I know you collect Georgian pieces I'm not in a rush for anything in particular, I just eventually want to get something from this era that I find to be pretty. This ring mostly fits that bill plus it fits the finger! A big plus. But I also think it might make more sense for me to look for a brooch or pendant that would receive less wear than a ring, especially because, while pretty, this isn't instantly grabbing me the way that the Art Deco brooch I recently got did.

The two rings are from two different sellers, I just noticed that they look very similar.

The turquoise is billed as "light blue turquoise cabochons", nothing about glass or paste. I appreciate your concern and also noticed that everything looks better-matched than I would expect. For whatever it's worth, the seller is an antique jewelry dealer but not a big/famous one like Lang.

 

[glitterata]

For what it's worth, this is a seller I like and trust. They have good prices for nice antique English things. I've bought from them several times and was always happy:

Security Measure

www.ebay.com

(C.J. Antiques Ltd. on ebay)

 

[Joanne10]

In case it helps, I’m also attaching the seller I bought my ring from. She’s unfortunately changed her photography style lately, and it’s harder to make out details and colours now, but she’s got quite a few Georgian pieces at the moment. Just type Georgian in the search box.

mitaineshop - Etsy

Shop ANTIQUE JEWELS www.mitaineshop.co.uk by mitaineshop located in Oxford, United Kingdom. Smooth shipping! Has a history of shipping on time with tracking. Speedy replies! Has a history of replying to messages quickly. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

www.etsy.com

 

[glitterata]

@newtojewels , I found the listing for the turquoise-and-pearl ring you're considering. (Don't worry, I won't tell!) The seller's other items look good to me, which makes me feel better about that ring. I still wouldn't buy it myself because of the fragility, especially because my skin discolors turquoise much too easily, but I'd be inclined to trust the seller's description.

 

[newtojewels]

Thank you everyone for the help! I'm going to keep looking and will keep you all posted whether you want to be or not!

 

[Joanne10]

Thank you everyone for the help! I'm going to keep looking and will keep you all posted whether you want to be or not!

We do want updates, of course we do Good luck deciding and finding the best one for you!

 

[lovedogs]

I think tje ring is pretty! I'm no help whether the time period they claim is accurate, etc, but it's a super cool piece!

 

[CMN]

Good to hear you are continuing your search. For myself I know that the chip in the turquoise would bother me.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

If you know the seller, please don't link this! Not that I think it's the deal of the century, but I don't have it on hold and obviously antique pieces are usually one-of-a-kind. It would be under $750, for price context.

I've been eyeing this ring for a while and going to Lang's and getting the art deco brooch is making me think again about my dream of owning a Georgian piece. I'm a big Jane Austen fan and even if this dates a little after her death, it's still solidly regency era. It is in colors that I like and wear and it would not need to be resized -- it should fit my index fingers, middle fingers, and thumbs on both hands, which is unusual for an antique ring given my relatively larger finger size. The seller says there has been a repair on the band in the past, possibly from resizing, and that one of the turquoise stones is chipped but otherwise it's in good antique condition.

However, it is 200+ years old and pearl and turquoise (in 15k gold, for whatever that's worth) so I know it's not exactly the sturdiest thing in the world. Obviously I would need to be gentle with it, but does anyone see any specific reasons for concern? And I assume this is a ring I should avoid getting wet as much as possible even though it's unlikely to be foil-backed. Any other care things to consider?

Thank you for any thoughts!

oh its sooooooooooooooooooooooo pretty
and the size is so versitile for you
im sure you would be a careful wearer
i hope everything turns out and you are able to get her
i love pearl with turquoise

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you everyone for the help! I'm going to keep looking and will keep you all posted whether you want to be or not!

oh

good luck with the search

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

....... But I also think it might make more sense for me to look for a brooch or pendant that would receive less wear than a ring, especially because, while pretty, this isn't instantly grabbing me the way that the Art Deco brooch I recently got did.

can i also
just say
Brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch

 

[newtojewels]

can i also
just say
Brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch, brooch

Yes, you are the biggest brooch fan!

You may have already seen this wonderful Antiques Roadshow highlight, but just in case you haven't (or in case you need another watch!), here's a video on brooch finds in the 2000's:

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Yes, you are the biggest brooch fan!

You may have already seen this wonderful Antiques Roadshow highlight, but just in case you haven't (or in case you need another watch!), here's a video on brooch finds in the 2000's:

that was wonderful
thank you
i hope they have seen some wear since then
too lovely to leave in a drawer

 

[LilAlex]

I think it's pretty -- and strikingly (read: implausibly) fresh-looking after two centuries despite all those super-fragile elements (not a Mary Poppins reference). No grime in the cervices and no patina (nobody was scrubbing the heck out of those turquoise and pearls). I do not know this seller but the the fact that you found a similar one from them and it looked just as showroom-new is a huge red flag to me.

I have to say this is why I like Lang and a few others -- there are so many phony antiques out there. I'm mentally contrasting this with your brooch; this has more of an eBay look to me.

 

[newtojewels]

I think it's pretty -- and strikingly (read: implausibly) fresh-looking after two centuries despite all those super-fragile elements (not a Mary Poppins reference). No grime in the cervices and no patina (nobody was scrubbing the heck out of those turquoise and pearls). I do not know this seller but the the fact that you found a similar one from them and it looked just as showroom-new is a huge red flag to me.

I have to say this is why I like Lang and a few others -- there are so many phony antiques out there. I'm mentally contrasting this with your brooch; this has more of an eBay look to me.

Thank you for weighing in! Yes, going to Lang was a very different vibe. Especially because there are so many Georgian-style pieces and this would only be 'mind-clean' for me if I were really truly confident that it's from 1820 or earlier, I'm going to pass. it is lovely, though!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you for weighing in! Yes, going to Lang was a very different vibe. Especially because there are so many Georgian-style pieces and this would only be 'mind-clean' for me if I were really truly confident that it's from 1820 or earlier, I'm going to pass. it is lovely, though!

your Georgian piece is out there somewhere, patiently waiting for you to find it, something that old - what's another month or year ? but i do hope you find it soon

 

[glitterata]

@newtojewels, if we had DMs, I would get your address and send you one of my little Georgian paste lace pins that used to be easy to find at the bottom of a shoe box at a flea market for a dollar or two long ago, to tide you over until you find your Jane Austen piece.

I miss those days.

 

[newtojewels]

@newtojewels, if we had DMs, I would get your address and send you one of my little Georgian paste lace pins that used to be easy to find at the bottom of a shoe box at a flea market for a dollar or two long ago, to tide you over until you find your Jane Austen piece.

I miss those days.

That's so kind of you! Unfortunately I missed that era in jewelry hunting, but I'm glad that you had that chance!