It is possible to say that since there are men, there are rings. Thus there are all types of ancient rings: simple ring or complicated work, ring of mourning or promises of love, gold, simple metal, hair or elephant hair, secret or claim, the ring is a jewel that is worn easily and is shown in all environments, at all times. It is worn alone or combined with others, on one, two or three fingers. Sometimes even on each finger. Men are not left out: old rings of small finger as the signet ring, which was used to affix his seal; rings of bishop, because yes: the ring can be religious. Memento Mori rings to remember the loved one, to contemplate the emptiness of his existence.
As you can see, there are antique rings for everyone. It is up to you to find the one(s) that suits you best.
Art Deco garnet ring in 14 karat (585) white gold. Ring with a colourless stone (goshenite), framed by two round rose-coloured garnets. The ring is decorated with scrolls and pearl motifs. Antique ring, circa 1920/1930.
Shell hallmark (French State hallmark for 14 karat gold)
Finger size: 59 or 8.75 US (can be changed)
Estimated weight of the goshenite: 0.40 carat
Total estimated weight of garnets: 0.46 carat
Retro opal ring in 14 karat (750) rose gold. Vintage ring centered on a cabochon-cut opal in an openwork gold bezel decorated with scrolls. The opal is translucent, with a beautiful play of colors in green, blue, red, orange and yellow. Vintage ring, circa 1950.
14k mark inside the ring, shell hallmark.
Finger circumference: 51 EU or 5.5 US (possible sizing)
Victorian French garnet ring in 18 karats rose gold (750). Antique ring, circular in shape, set with a rose-purple rhodolite garnet. The setting is decorated with delicate chasing. Antique ring, circa 1870, France.
Partially erased eagle head hallmark.
Finger circumference: 55 UE or 7.25 US (possible sizing)
Bezel diameter: 9.7 mm
Condition: scratch on the stone and usual wears on the gold.
Perpignan garnets cluster ring in 18 karat (750) rose gold. This large, oval-shaped cluster ring is entirely set with faceted and flat-cut Perpignan garnets. The central oval garnet is surrounded by 23 round garnets. These garnets have a raspberry-red color typical of the garnets used in this region of southern France. The ring is decorated in openwork on the shoulders. Antique Regional Catalan ring, late 19th century, France.
Eagle head hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold) and partially visible goldsmith’s hallmark.
Finger size: 60 FR or 9.25 US (no resizing).
Ring head dimensions: 25 x 20 mm
Condition: scratches from use, small pewter soldering on underside, some stones have been replaced.
Blue topaz diamond ring in 18 karat yellow gold (750). Antique ring with a large rectangular-cut ice blue topaz in a setting of 16 old-cut diamonds. The stone has a lovely crystalline blue color very similar to an aquamarine stone. Antique cluster ring circa 1880.
Owl hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold)
Modernist coral ring in 18-karat yellow gold (750). The ring features an orange coral cabochon set with four thick, flat prongs. The ring’s band is delicately worked, the shoulders are openworked and form beautiful round lines typical of the Retro period. Vintage ring, circa 1950.
Owl hallmark (French state hallmark for 18 karat gold).
Finger circumference: 46 UE or 3.5 US (small sizing possible)
Romantic Giardinetti ring in 18k yellow gold and silver. Antique ring with a motif of a flower basket, set with colored rhinestones (green, red, and blue) and marcasites. The gold ring of the ring is later than the basket. Late 19th-century jewel, in the romantic spirit of 18th-century rings.
Owl and swan hallmark (French state hallmark for 18-karat gold and silver)
Finger size: 56 EU or 7.75 US (resizable)
Dimensions of the chaton: 19 x 18 mm
Condition: Modified ring, crack at the ring starting from the hallmark, scratches from use.
Weight: 3.54 gr
Learn more: Giardinetti rings, or “Little Gardens” in English, appeared in the late 17th century. In the 18th century, the naturalistic trend charmed goldsmiths, leading to the creation of many pieces adorned with floral and animal motifs, especially insects. Giardinetti rings often appear as bouquets of flowers and foliage tied with a ribbon or in the form of a bouquet in a small basket. Highly prized in the mid-18th century, they were mostly made of gold and silver, and sometimes in metal adorned with rhinestones.
Antique ram cameo ring in 14-karat rose gold (585) centered around an agate cameo depicting two rams side by side. One has its head turned towards the inside of the ring. Roman cameo from the 1st or 2nd century AD, 19th-century setting.
Shell hallmark (French State hallmark for 14-karat gold)
Adjustable ring size: 6.75 US
Cameo dimensions: 12.5 mm x 13.4 mm
Condition: loss on the edge of the cameo, setting with depressions.
Edwardian coral ring in 18-karat rose gold (750). The ring is adorned with a large round cabochon of dark orange coral. The coral displays visible “flame” growth lines, apparent to the naked eye and typical of this gem. The ring’s band is simple, with only a few chiselings under the cabochon, revealing a floral motif. Antique ring, early 20th century.
Eagle head hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold)
Finger size: 46 EU or 3.5 US (resizing possible)
Dimensions of the coral cabochon: 12 x 7 mm
Weight: 3.04 g
Gemology note: Coral is an organic gem. Only the branched limestone trunks of certain corals are used in jewelry. Its color is due to organic pigments close to carotene: ranging from blood red to white, passing through “angel skin” pink. Currently, most coral species are protected by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Tank ring with diamonds in 18-karat white gold (750) and platinum. Tank ring set with a synthetic blue spinel of square cut. The spinel faces two lines of four old-cut diamonds (eight diamonds in total) set on a raised roll. The ring has harmonious volumes, sometimes rounded, sometimes geometric, typical of this period. Tank ring, circa 1940.
Owl hallmark (French state hallmark for 18-karat gold)
Finger size: 52 EU or 6 US (resizeable)
Estimated weight of diamonds: 0.46 ct
Estimated weight of synthetic spinel: 2.5 ct
Marquise Catalan garnets ring in 18-karat rose gold. This marquise-shaped ring features a navette-cut garnet at its center, surrounded by eight round garnets cut in the Perpignan style. The central garnet is mounted on a structure fixed by attachments/rings to the ring head. The “Perpignan cut” garnets are mounted on paillons and set in a closed setting. They typically have a raspberry, pink-red color, which is typical of Catalan jewelry, with a range of nuances that are revealed in sunlight. The ring has understated decoration on the shoulders. The gold structure is finely decorated with V-shaped triangular figures on the edges, and the bottoms of the gem settings are domed. This regional marquise ring is from the mid-19th century in France.
Horse head hallmark (1838-1919) and Mercury head hallmark. Illegible regional hallmark.
Vintage garnet signet ring in 18k gold (750). This ring features an oval faceted garnet in a closed setting at its center. The ring’s shank is adorned with fine gadroons on the shoulders and along the body, giving it the appearance of a signet ring. The stone has a beautiful deep red color. This vintage signet ring is from around 1970.
Hallmarks: “750” inside the ring and maker’s mark GB.