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Stuart Crystal Cipher & Granulation Ring

$6,400

Sold!

The term “Stuart crystal” refers to jewelry made in the decades following the execution of King Charles I in 1649, when loyalists to the Stuart monarchy memorialized the martyred king through rings similar to this. Flat-topped rock crystal was used to protect and display intimate elements beneath it: gold wire ciphers, initials, or locks of hair. While early examples were explicitly political, the form quickly evolved. By the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Stuart crystal jewels become more private in meaning, commemorating individual relationships. Here, a delicately worked gold cipher and hairwork sit beneath rock crystal, framed by fine granulation that shows off a talented goldsmith's skills. Stuart crystal rings are uncommon to begin with, and examples that retain their original crystal, hairwork, and fine gold details in this level of condition are WILDLY scarce.

  • Materials

    22k gold (tests), rock crystal, hair, gold thread

  • Age

    c. 1700

  • Condition

    Excellent

  • Size

    8, can be resized; 8.2mm head, 2.2mm shank

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Stuart

Aboutthe

StuartEra

16031714

please note:Terms of Sale

Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.