On This Day In 1898 - Victorian English 15K Gold Natural Sapphire & Seed Pearl Carved Gypsy Ring (VICR183)

On This Day In 1898 - Victorian English 15K Gold Natural Sapphire & Seed Pearl Carved Gypsy Ring. This exquisite ring is crafted from 15K yellow gold, Hallmarked 15 and 625 for 15K gold, British Hallmark, Chester, a letter date for 1898 and a makers mark EJR. This antique ring features 3 natural round cut sapphires, 6 natural seed pearls, Victorian era styling, and high quality craftsmanship. The gallery on this ring showcases beautiful blue sapphires, and lustrous pearls, which adorn an engraved floral pattern. The face of the ring are also decorated with delicate carved engravings, which add character and detail to the precious ring. The shank is smooth and polished, which allows for a comfortable fit. This Victorian era ring would make a perfect gift for that special someone or wonderful addition to your antique jewelry collection. 

Comments: Rare and exquisite early example. 

Note: Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the antique value of antique jewelry. It is highly recommended that this Victorian era ring is insured for $2000.00 CD (Tax Excluded) 

History:The celestial blue color of this gemstone symbolized heaven and attracted divine favor and wise judgment. Greeks wore sapphire for guidance when seeking answers from the oracle. Buddhists believed that it brought spiritual enlightenment, and Hindus used it during worship.

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

Pearls were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome, pearl jewellery was considered the ultimate status symbol. So precious were the spherical gems that in the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling classes.

Victorian gypsy rings are one of the most distinctive jewels of the Victorian/Edwardian era. Pleasing to look at and also to wear, these exquisite yellow gold rings feature one or more diamonds or gems deep-set into the band so that they sit flush with the surface of the gold.

Chester, which had a less active assay office compared to others, and whose office closed in 1962. The resulting scarcity of items bearing the Chester hallmark increases their value and rarity for collectors.

In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 19

Measurements: Ring (width) 6.20 mm 

Stone Size: Sapphire .06 carats     Pearl 1.75 mm each 

Weight: 2.20  grams 

Ring Size: 7 1/2 

Condition: Excellent    Note: Perfect condition, considering the age. Wonderful crisp hallmarks. 

Origin: England, Chester 

Date: Dated 1898