Antique French 1880c 18ct Gold Turquoise & Seed Pearl Forget Me Not Ring Sz M

A wonderfully romantic piece of 19th-century French jewellery, this beautiful antique ring dates to approximately circa 1880 and is crafted in luxurious 18ct gold, adorned with vivid turquoise cabochons and a delicate half seed pearl.

 

The elongated oval face is beautifully detailed, featuring a charming forget-me-not style floral motif. Six tiny turquoise cabochons form the petals of the flower, arranged around a luminous seed pearl centre, while two further turquoise cabochons form little leaves along the delicately worked gold stem.

 

It is an enchanting design that perfectly captures the sentimentality and romance associated with jewellery of the Victorian era.

 

Forget-me-nots have long symbolised remembrance, enduring love and devotion, making the motif particularly meaningful in antique jewellery. Turquoise and pearls were also much-loved materials in sentimental jewellery of the 19th century, and surviving examples continue to be sought after by collectors today.

 

The craftsmanship of this piece is especially lovely. The oval plaque has a softly textured gold surface surrounded by a fine beaded border, while the unusual multi-strand openwork shank creates an elegant, almost architectural appearance. Decorative detailing at each shoulder provides the perfect transition between the delicate band and the oval face.

 

The warm antique gold combined with those wonderfully bright pops of turquoise gives this ring tremendous character. At approximately 140 years old, it remains an exceptionally wearable piece of jewellery and looks just as beautiful worn alone as it would nestled amongst a collection of antique stacking rings.

 

A gorgeous choice for the collector of French antique jewellery, turquoise jewellery or sentimental Victorian pieces, and an especially lovely gift for someone drawn to jewellery with symbolism and history.

 

DETAILS

 

•  A French eagle head stamp for 18ct gold is present to the outer shank- Approximately dated to the Victorian era, Circa 1870-1880.
•  Measures as a size 6.5 US or M UK/AU.
•  The inner diameter of the band measures 16.5mm.
•  The oval face of the ring measures 13.5mm X 8.5mm. The shank measures 5mm wide at the shoulders, tapering to 2mm wide at the base.
•  Weighs 2.46 grams.

 

CONDITION

 

Good preloved antique condition with some minor signs of wear that are commensurate with the age of this piece.  Some fine marks and scratches are present.  All stones are original to this piece, and are securely set. No stones are loose or missing.  The French eagle head stamp is crisp and clear under magnification.  The shank is nice and round, showing no notable signs of thinning.

 

Please note

 

We usually leave our vintage, antique and preloved jewellery unpolished to suit buyer preference, however we are more than happy to polish any items upon request. For pieces consisting of delicate materials or components such as enamel, opal or pearls, we will polish gently only with a soft cloth to ensure preservation and originality of the piece.  Please leave a note at checkout, or contact us prior to purchase to request your items to be polished before being sent to you.