General Information:
- US Size: 4.75
- Total Carat Weight: 3.54 ct
- Precious Metal Weight: ~2.60 dwt
- Precious Metal Material: 12-14k patinaed yellow gold
- Dimensions: Approx. 17.12 mm north to south (height) ring face; 13.17 mm east to west (width) ring face not including shoulders; shoulders taper from ~13.9 mm to 2.54 mm at the base of the shank
- Weight: A nicely weighty 4.17 grams
- Markings: None, though tests for 14k yellow gold shoulders and shank and about 12k yellow gold bezel.
- Era: Given the setting style, the construction techniques of the mounting, the stone cut and proportions, this band is estimated to date to the late 20th-21st century. Though a more recent secondhand piece, we cannot ascertain a more precise date range beyond what our years of collecting, dealing, learning and refining our expertise enables us to determine without knowing an exact provenance of this band.
- Buyer Notes: This ring is a rarity, as it is of similar make to cameos, but features an entirely different motif and story. Though very minimal in linework, the engraved agate tablet divulges a layered meaning that is nothing short of scriptural. It has been well loved throughout its life, and wears its age with pride.
Specifications:
- Center Stone Type: Chalcedony-sardonyx (agate)
- Center Stone Count: One (1)
- Center Stone Dimensions: measured within mount so as to preserve integrity, 16.21 x 12.30 x 4.75 mm
- Center Stone Carat Weight: by formula per the specific gravity of chalcedony-sardonyx, 3.54 ct
- Center Stone Shape: Hand carved oval tablet
- Center Stone Color: Banded from rusty red at the base, to translucent opaline whitish in the middle and orangey-apricot at the top
- Center Stone Clarity: Translucent, though closed back
The Story:
A most intriguing jewel, this ring dates to the mid to late Victorian years, and features a hand carved sardonyx gemstone mounted within a bezel setting. This sardonyx is a kind of agate, nearly opaline in the translucency of the middle white layer which extends across the majority of the stone’s face. In striking contrast, the uppermost layer of the stone is vivid orangey-apricot, which the original artisan harnessed to carve the oval wreath that stands proudest on the surface. Likewise, the carved star design capitalizes on the rusty red substrate that exists lowest within the striations.
This design is simple yet bold, with a central 12-pointed star, each arm of the star slender and charmingly irregular, crowned by an elongated wheat grain oval wreath. Orbiting this central focal point are a series of eight other six-pointed stars, each one freely cross-hatch etched into the agate hardstone. These eight circling stars radiate the reddish base layer beneath, and are framed in suit with a matching ring of red that gives way to the bezel mounting. This mounting is further accentuated by a twisting gold halo, which adds a delicate dynamism to the ring.
This celestially-themed design conveys a deep and complex message: the central 12-pointed star is the North Star, a divine and infallible guidepost for fallible humankind, always leading to safety. It also represents the twelve disciples of Christ and the twelve tribes of Israel, both chosen as extensions of God’s hands and feet appointed to do his good works and share his grace. The wheat grain wreath has a multitude of meanings, as it was representative of love and charity in ancient times, fertility during the Renaissance, and was symbolic of offspring, wealth and the future inheritance in later centuries. In essence, this plaited form realizes divine abundance and prosperity. Dually, the oval wreath is a victorious crown around the chosen twelve. The eight subsidiary stars swell around the chosen 12-pointed star together symbolize new life and regeneration; the number 8 is a symbol of balance, signifying that the uncertainties of the present are balanced by the reliability of God’s eternal embrace.
The reverse of the ring reveals some mysteries about this mystic jewel, as the agate tablet is closed back. Yet, there are signs of possible repair or remounting, as some areas seem to show that the agate piece may have begun its life as a different accessory, perhaps a stick pin, brooch or or the like. Without knowing the exact provenance of the ring, this is only speculation, though the imperfect closed back is certainly captivating nonetheless. The shoulders of the ring are merged into the undulating bezel halo, and are articulated into a tripartite form, a split shank design that was a favorite of both the Georgians and Victorians. The back and the shank show wear commensurate with its 150+ year age and the corresponding decades’ worth of affectionate use. Though unrefined, this piece harbors loads of meaning that is unparalleled amongst similar antique jewelry, making this a wholly singular collector’s item.
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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.
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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.