Ring

While Whitby jet was particularly fashionable during the reign of Victoria, it had been a popular material for jewellery from the Romano British period onwards.

The sale of Fine Jewellery & Ladies Watches at Adam’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Dublin on May 13 included an impressive retro sapphire and diamond ‘tank’ ring, c.1940, that came for sale from the ‘private collection of a Continental lady’.

A previously unrecorded Elizabethan gold signet ring, a gift from the influential Tudor financier and merchant, Sir Thomas Gresham (1519-79), comes for sale at Noonans on June 17.

Among the earliest examples of Australian gold rush jewellery are the simple signet rings sold to miners in the settlement of Ballarat in the 1850s as a memento of the boomtown days.

Carl (1883-1946) and Rosa Askonas (1891-1980), were the toast of 1920s Austrian society.

Metal-detecting finds, properly reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme and since disclaimed as Treasure, are increasing significantly the supply of pre-Georgian jewels. Some fine examples have appeared at auction of late.

A gold-mounted garnet intaglio ring depicting the handsome Greek youth Antinous was taken to a multi-estimate £24,000 at Busby’s (25/10% buyer’s premium), triggering speculation it might be one of the lost ancient Marlborough gems.

The influential 20th century jewellery designer Suzanne Belperron (1900-83) had a wide-ranging clientele during her lifetime spanning royalty, artists and people from the worlds of fashion and entertainment.

SJ Phillips will shortly unveil one of the best antique ring collections to appear on the market in years.

Intaglio had been part of the ‘peerless collection’ which created one of the biggest art scandals of its day

A gold and diamond ring made by the architect turned goldsmith Louis Osman (1914-96) has gone on public display at the Northamptonshire home where he lived, worked and drew inspiration for more than a decade.

The Fine Jewellery sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on July 10-11 features many fine antique items such as these two documentary pieces.

This gold-mounted carnelian intaglio ring depicting classical profiles of Cupid and Psyche embracing is signed in mirror image capitals for Nathaniel Marchant (1739-1816).

A gold and cameo ring offered with an estimate of just £200-300 at Derbyshire auction house Irita Marriott (plus 28.8% buyer’s premium inc VAT) and catalogued as 19th century caught the eye of a number of jewellery dealers and bidders from as far as Paris and the US.