General Information:
- US Size: 6.50
- Total Carat Weight: 0.23 ctw
- Precious Metal Weight: 1.68 dwt
- Precious Metal Material: Band tests at 14k; face of ring tests a smidge higher at at least 16k
- Dimensions: 14.73 mm north to south ring face (horseshoe height) x 9.91 mm east to west ring face (horseshoe width); 3.91 mm rise from the finger (depth); shank is ~1.61 mm wide
- Weight: 2.61 grams
- Markings: No markings, but tests for 14k-16k.
- Era: The horseshoe/shamrock face started life c. 1880-1900 as a cravat or stick pin intended for wear by either a Victorian lady or a gentleman. It was refreshed as a ring with the addition of a plain gold band, breathing new life into a less popular jewelry trend. This conversion was done prior to the shop’s procurement, so the date of the band is unknown, though it likely dates to sometime between 1900-1950. However, without knowing an exact provenance, we cannot ascertain a more precise date range beyond what our years of collecting, dealing, learning and refining our expertise enables us to determine.
- Buyer Notes: This ring is a very handsome, very prim piece, with insanely beautiful color exuding from the center stones. It is a wonderful solo statement piece, opting for a sophisticated look over the opulent, without sacrificing historic symbolism and detail. The sapphires show wear commensurate with the piece’s 130+ age, affectionate use and transformation. There are some nibbles and nicks, as photographed, and the price fairly reflects this time-earned wear.
Specifications:
- Center Stone Type: Sapphire
- Center Stone Count: Three (3)
- Center Stone Dimensions: 2.92 x 2.48 x 1.48 mm; 2.74 x 2.69 x 1.64 mm; 2.83 x 2.52 x 1.55 mm
- Center Stone Carat Weight: by formula per the specific gravity of sapphire and in coordination to the measurements above, 0.071 ct; 0.083 ct; 0.075 ct
- Center Stone Shape: Round to ovular faceted old cut
- Center Stone Color: Vivid royal blue
- Center Stone Clarity: Translucent
The Story:
A striking and minimalist approach to the iconic Victorian horseshoe, this sleek statement ring boasts an articulated silhouette with near knuckle-to-knuckle spread and vibrant color. This ring is formed as a stemmed shamrock within a tapered horseshoe, featuring a trio of bright, royal blue sapphires within cupped bezels.
The horseshoe finish is satin-like, as very faint ‘brushing’ can be seen under magnification, as pictured. It is also possible that this effect is actually because the horseshoe was originally bloomed. Bloomed gold is a technique in which a gold item is dipped in a chemical mixture consisting of water, salt, potassium nitrate, and muriatic acid, which dissolves away all non-gold (alloyed) content from the outermost top layer of the item, leaving instead a pure, solid gold ‘coating’. This process was extremely popular for jewelry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from which this horseshoe dates.
The sapphires present are notably blue in color, very vivid and lively, especially in bright natural light. They are petite, but pack a punch, and add just the right chromatic touch to the buttery gold of the ring mount. These sapphires rest within organically shaped bezel settings which recall the outline of a shamrock’s leaflets, and even exhibit a ‘pinched’ edge to create the cleft of the leaves. Such a subtle detail is a clever element within the context of such a simple, chic ring design, and draws the eye around the shamrock’s form.
As is the case with all antique-- particularly Victorian-- jewelry, this ring conveys a secret message within its design. The horseshoe is believed to be a lucky token, and stemming from high hopes for trophies and supplies gathered on hunting trips, which of course, meant food, garb, materials for living, and more. It was not until the 1860s or so that horseshoes and other equestrian themed motifs arose to their peak popularity in jewelry, and have remained a common theme ever since. It is believed that the horseshoe can both gather and bestow luck; when worn ‘U’-shape up, the talisman catches good fortune for its wearer, and when worn ‘U’-shape down, it is thought to bless others with luck and protection, both friends and strangers alike. The emblem is not relevant solely to equestrians, as its illustrative meaning benefits all with favor and good will. In suit, pearls are also steeped in symbolism, seen as emblems of purity and sanctity, and promoting inner integrity and youth.
In suit, the shamrock designed with three leaves conveys loyalty, amiability, integrity, muliebrity and fecundity. Additionally, St. Patrick believed this shape as a metaphor for the mystery of the Holy Trinity, in which God is also Spirit and Christ, a perfect triune that shows God as a father, God as a son, sacrifice and atoner, and God as a living essence indwelling in all human beings. Most appropriately, sapphire is believed to center one’s spiritual insight and intuition, and denotes holiness and an elevated life. It is thought to inspire determination and encourage order and self-discipline. All together, these symbolic components offer a sign of good fortune and great blessing upon the wearer.
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General Information: All additional jewelry boxes, ring boxes, and other jewelry items pictured alongside a featured listing are considered props, are for photographic and display purposes only and are not included in the transaction unless otherwise noted. Items do not come with physical documentation, appraisals, or certifications, unless explicitly stated in the item description and/or title. While jewelry is inspected upon procurement by the shop as well as prior to shipment, Revival Fine Jewelry cannot guarantee a warranty once items leave our inventory, given the delicate and individual nature of secondhand articles and the unaccountability of buyer handling post-purchase.
Shipping: All orders are carefully packed within a branded Revival Fine Jewelry gift box, secured with recycled materials when possible, and shipped within a discreet outer shipping parcel. All orders ship with tracking, insurance and signature confirmation. Shipping options are presented at checkout. Per law and inegrity, international orders are always marked as commodity imports and customers are responsible for any and all customs expenses, VAT taxes and import fees, as well as any clearance costs legally dictated by their respective destination countries. These expenses are not calculated into the pricing structure, and returns based on import costs will not be permitted.
Returns: While Revival Fine Jewelry aims to provide a smooth experience from start to finish, customers are encouraged to reach out regarding any issue or dissatisfaction, so that we may work together toward a resolution. If a return is desired, the shop must be notified of an intention to return within 3 days of confirmed delivery, and item(s) must be shipped back to the shop within 7 days of confirmed delivery. All materials (gift box, inserts, cards) must be returned with the item(s). Returns declared after the 3 day window and/or postmarked after 7 days of receipt will neither be accepted nor refunded. Customers are responsible for generating an insured return shipping label (international customers included) and relaying the tracking information to Revival Fine Jewelry. Returns that do not include full insurance and/or tracking, and are damaged or lost in transit, will not be refunded. If a return is accepted, customers will be refunded less the original cost of shipping, handling and insurance, the expense of any damages incurred, and a 10% restocking fee (of the original purchase price). All sale items, items altered or resized by the buyer post-purchase, and all storage/ boxes are considered final sale and are ineligible for a return or refund.
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Pricing: Revival Fine Jewelry reserves the right to decrease, increase, alter and modify inventory pricing to meet market rarity, demand or value; to offset platform, transaction or seller's fees; to adapt to economic inflation and fluctuation; and to defray specific business expenses. Pricing is the sole discretion of every small business.
Regarding Brooches & Pins: Often significantly and curiously undervalued jewelry items, brooches, pins and stick pins are treasured pieces of history in this shop. Accordingly, their pricing is calculated analogous to other fine jewelry, including their symbolic meaning, rarity and historical prestige. Such pieces are typically converted to other forms of jewelry, and are therefore becoming increasingly rare in their original states. Aside from being perfectly wearable as sophisticated lapel ornaments, brooches and pins of all kinds are prime candidates for many kinds of fine jewelry conversions, including rings, earrings, pendants, and charms, if so desired by the consumer post-purchase. Revival Fine Jewelry does not perform conversion projects for customers.
Regarding Storage & Boxes: All specifications, including but not limited to the measurements, age, origins, and material compositions are supplied in good faith as professional estimations constructed using professional grade tools, years of learned and honed skills, educational resources and academic scholarship, and refined research methods. Regardless of our confidence in our descriptions and the photographs deemed viable extensions of these descriptions, we cannot guarantee the definitiveness, faultlessness, or exactitude beyond our knowledge and expertise. Kindly keep in mind that this and all items are sold as-is vintage, antique and estate secondhand wares, and consequently bear conditional wear in matter and operation commensurate with age and use.
More information on these, and more, topics may be found in the shop policies.
All layaway terms may be found here, and all shop policies may be found here.
Layaway is available for full priced, non-sale items priced $600.00 USD or greater, and items may not be combined to attain price-eligibility. Plans are offered as 3-month/90-day maximum terms.
In exchange for offering interest-free plans, customers agree to abide and uphold the following nonnegotiable terms and conditions:
- A 30% deposit is due upfront to reserve the item for layaway and pull it from public sale on all of our shopping platforms. Shipping expenses are added to this first payment unless otherwise requested.
- The remaining 70% balance is divided up into three subsequent monthly payments due on the same day of the following three months. If delinquent, a $20.00 USD late fee is added per day to an overdue payment until paid.
- In the event that a layaway installment is left unpaid for seven (7) days and no communication is received from the designated customer, the layaway plan will be presumed abandoned. While the item will be returned to public sale, all payments made hitherto are still considered final.
Layaway items are promptly boxed and shipped to the designated customer once the final payment successfully processes. Taxes, import and other legal fees are not calculated into the payments, and are the sole responsibility of the customer, whether a domestic US or international buyer. Revival Fine Jewelry is not responsible for calculating, covering or adding such costs into purchase prices.
All layaway payments as well as all items purchased through layaway plans are considered final sale; neither payments nor items may be refunded, transferred, exchanged or returned. Revival Fine Jewelry does not issue store credit.
Revival Fine Jewelry reserves the right to cancel any layaway plan at any point for any reason if fraudulent activity is suspected. In this event, the designated customer will be notified prior to the intended cancellation of their plan.
Request a layaway plan via email here. Remember to specify your desired item by providing its link, title or SKU/code.