New York Times- Vintage Sterling Silver Rose Cut Marcasite Cocktail Ring (VR780)
Rarities Antique Jewelry
New York Times - Vintage Sterling Silver Rose Cut Marcasite Cocktail Ring. This glamorous ring is crafted from sterling silver, hallmarked 925, and a makes mark XO. Featuring numerous genuine rose cut marcasite, vintage styling, and quality craftsmanship. The gallery on this ring is oval in shape, and adorned with sparkling marcasite gemstones. The ring is substantial, and features a smooth and polished shank, which all allows for a comfortable fit and easy sizing. This Vintage ring is in the Art Deco style, it is glamorous and elegant, and indeed a show stopper!
History: Marcasite jewellery has been made since the time of the Incas and the ancient Greeks. Cleopatra was reported to wear marcasite jewellery in order to preserve her beauty. The Incas are the first know civilization to have used marcasite in jewellery , with marcasite jewellery found in many Incan burial chambers.
Where does marcasite come from? Genuine marcasite comes from the mineral pyrite, which is a beautiful, metallised stone similar in appearance to gold which is why it is often referred to as 'Fools Gold'. The basic composition of pyrite is iron sulphide, but true marcasite has to be white iron sulphide based.
Silver was first found in large amounts around 5000 BC, when prehistoric people dug the first copper mines. ... Large-scale silver mining had developed in Anatolia by 3000 BC. This was to meet the demand from the first ancient city states, which used the metal as a common medium of exchange.
The sterling alloy originated in continental Europe and was being used for commerce as early as the 12th century in the area that is now northern Germany. A piece of sterling silver dating from Henry II's reign was used as a standard in the Trial of the Pyx until it was deposited at the Royal Mint in 1843.
Measurements: Face of the Ring 26.50 mm x 18.00
Stone Size: Marcasite 1.50 mm
Weight: 6.70 grams
Ring Size: 5
Condition: Excellent
Origin: America
Date: Circa 1960