Composition
Mount Details
- ConstructionHandmade and cast parts with a polished finish
- DesignNavette cameo ring with pearl surround
- Metal Purity18ct rose gold, tested by electro-chemical equipment
- Markings / HallmarksNot hallmarked. Under the UK Hallmarking Act 1973, many antique pieces are legally exempt from hallmarking requirements. This piece has been assessed and is consistent with the period and metal type indicated.
- Gross WeightApproximately 4.9 grams
- Curated FromEngland
Cameo Details
- MaterialHardstone (stained), white relief on a blue ground
- DimensionsLength 18.20mm, Width 16.8mm
- CarvingNavette form depicting a classical female figure in profile, facing left
Pearl Details
Measurements and grading are approximate and represent the average of all gemstones in each section, unless actual measurements are noted.
- TypeCultured, Akoya and natural
- Quantity & Size26 x 1.5mm to 2.0mm sawn
- ColourVariable body colour with a rose overtone
- LustreVariable
- Surface PurityBlemished (variable)
- MatchingPoor
Condition
Very Good
The carved hardstone cameo is crisp and there is no significant chipping or surface loss to the central motif. Any wear to the cameo's outer edge is detectable only under magnification and does not affect the visual presence of the piece. The mount shows honest wear commensurate with its age and character. The pearl border tells its own biographical story: the original natural pearls remain in place, joined by two rounds of earlier replacement — cultured pearls and cultured Akoya pearls — and four pearls sympathetically replaced by us on acquisition using closely matched natural pearls. The pearls are secure and the piece wears beautifully.
Keeper's Guide to Care
Everyday Wear with Care
Both the pearls and the carved cameo ask for the same considerate hand — keep lotions, oils, and perfume away from both, applying these before the ring goes on and allowing them to dry fully first. The pearls should never be soaked or submerged; after wearing, a gentle wipe with a soft, barely-damp cloth removes any perspiration. The cameo needs nothing more than a dry buff between wears. They are both happiest simply being worn.
Chalcedony registers 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale — durable for everyday life but best kept away from harder stones in storage. Pearls are considerably softer at 2.5–4.5 and scratch easily — store this ring separately, ideally in a soft pouch or lined box.
Rose Gold. A quick buff with a polishing cloth keeps it bright when you want it so — though the soft glow of an aged rose gold is, in our view, one of its great pleasures.
We recommend an annual professional check-up to ensure the pearl settings remain secure and the cameo mount is sound — a small investment that keeps this ring safe for the next century of hands.
