Circa 1840 this beautiful neoclassical style antique ring is crafted in golden "Pinchbeck" and boasts an old hand-cut white paste "diamond" stone.
Pinchbeck was the most popular imitation gold in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Invented in 1720 by London watchmaker Christopher Pinchbeck, the true gold colour was achieved by combining copper and zinc (much less zinc than what is used to create brass) and the exact formula was kept a closely guarded secret.
Popularly known in England as "travelling jewelleries", at a time when highway robbery was a very real threat, jewellery made out of Pinchbeck had met its demise by 1850 when electroplated and rolled gold was invented and cheaper 9ct gold was legalised for sale in Britain.
This ring is a beguiling example of Pinchbeck jewellery. The ring is set with a full carat sized white paste gemstone that is mounted in a stepped hexagonal bezel and secured with tiny nipped claws that curl over the stone. The glass stone is foil backed and even though the foil has darkened with age we can still imagine how it would sparkled and dazzled like a diamond back in the day. To add to the enchanting old world style each angled shoulder is accented in 3 graduated dots of royal blue enamel.
With it's golden lustre this early Victorian Pinchbeck ring is steeped in history, a true antique treasure and a fine collectors piece
MATERIALS: Pinchbeck metal alloy
GEMSTONE: white paste (glass) approx. 6.5mm diameter (equivalent diamond size 1.00ct.)
RING SIZE: for a small finger size UK i, US 4.5 (sizing is not recommended)
WEIGHT: 3.8 grams
MARKS: none
ERA: Victorian, circa 1840
CONDITION: in good antique condition with signs of age like surface wear and tarnish in the nooks and crannies as you might expect in a ring almost 200 year old. Pinchbeck, like brass, will eventually oxidise and darken over time but a quick rub with a jewellery polishing cloth will soon restore its golden lustre. Please see the photos.
At Mercy Madge we offer quality antique and vintage jewellery sourced in Great Britain. Each piece is special and we rarely come across two identical old treasures, once they are gone, they are truly gone!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SHIPPING - FREE SHIPPING worldwide, orders are despatched next business day and sent with full tracking and insurance.
RETURNS - you can return your item for a full refund for any reason. Just get in touch within 3 days of receiving your order if you wish to do so.
DISCOUNT? - find special discount and no sales tax on our website at www.mercymadge.com
BUYING A GIFT? - all items will arrive gift wrapped in a Mercy Madge custom jewellery box.
FOLLOW US for our latest antique and vintage fine jewellery:
Instagram: @mercymadge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercymadge
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MercyMadge
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MercyMadge
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/Mercymadge
Read our blog at https://mercymadge.com/blogs/blog
Materials: Pinchbeck, Paste, Enamel.