Victorian Revival - Vintage 14K Tri Gold 'Forget Me Knot' Flower Puzzle Ring (VR1168)

Victorian Revival - Vintage 14K Tri Gold 'Forget Me Knot' Flower Puzzle Ring. This unique puzzle ring is crafted from 14K tri gold (yellow rose, and white gold), hallmarked 14 for 14K gold, and tested. The ring featured a unique design, vintage Victorian revival styling, and quality craftsmanship. The puzzle ring consists of four interlocking bands, which is a true puzzle ring, and will come apart, and can be put together. The ring has a charming forget me know flower on the top of the gallery, and exquisite intricate carvings. The shanks on the rings are smooth, and polished, which allows for a comfortable fit. This vintage ring would make a unique wedding band, gift, or a wonderful addition to any jewelry collection. 

History: 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.

Rose gold was first used in early 19th century Russia by the famed jeweler Carl Faberge in his famous Faberge Eggs, as was known as Russian Gold. Rose gold later gained popularity in the United States during the lavish and feminine 1920's, and was worn in engagement rings and fine jewelry.

White gold was invented in the 19th century by alloying gold with palladium. It became commercially available as of 1912 in Pforzheim, Germany and gained popularity in the mid-1920's as a low-cost substitute for platinum. It is an alloy of gold with copper, zinc, and nickel.

A puzzle ring is an interlocking mechanical ring—typically made of 4, 6, 8, or 12 separate metal bands—that fits together as a single piece and falls apart into a tangle when removed.

European Gimmal Rings: Historians trace the true design lineage to 16th- and 17th-century European gimmal rings(from the Latin gemellus, meaning twin), which featured 2 or 3 interlocking hoops used as betrothal or wedding tokens.

The "Turkish Nobleman" Legend: A popular myth claims a Turkish nobleman or Ottoman sultan commissioned a jeweler to build a ring that would fall apart if his wife took it off while he was away, functioning as a test of fidelity. However, local Turkish tradition does not actually use puzzle rings as wedding bands; they are known locally as halka-i sadakat (faith rings).

Patents and Popularization: The modern 4-band puzzle ring design was patented in the United States by W.H.A. Davidson on August 9, 1887 (US Patent 367,896). By the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, they spread widely through trade, travel, and military presence in the Middle East.

Measurements: Puzzle Ring 18.00 mm x 9.00 mm 

Weight: 4.10 grams 

Ring Size: 5 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1990