This is a very old, very elegant, handmade large Persian ring.
A shipmate of mine purchased this ring in 1982 when we were both working on an oil tanker and were in port in Tunisia.
He gave the ring to me, as I was not permitted to go ashore and the ring was not new when he bought it.
The ring band on the ring is what gives away the age. It is crimped nickel metal that was probably made in the 1940s or 1950s.
The design of this ring, which looks like two hearts, is silver spiraled wire work with three inset turquoise plastic beads.
I doubt the ring is sterling silver, but is probably 800 silver or has good silver content.
The face of the ring is massive at 2 1/8" long x 1" wide or 5.6 cm x 2.5 cm.
The ring band is attached at a slightly askew angle and is adjustable from a size 7 1/2 to a size 10.
The silver is clean and bright but retains the original old patina.
There is not damage or imperfections to the filigree work and the glass cabs are perfect as well.
The ring band has light to moderate wear.
Comes gift wrapped and shipped in a new presentation ring box.
* I think its important to note that while I could easily replace the turquoise plastic beads with real turquoise, the use of fake turquoise beads indicates several factors about the ring. In the region it was made, turquoise was not available but popular and treasured enough to be imitated. Not until the 1960s and 1970s did simulated gems in jewelry actually occur, in mass production to the US, and most of it came from Japan. Jewelry makers in Tunisia always used recycled metals, glass, and other materials and while the artisans were highly skilled, they were never truly recognized as artisans and could never command much more than a few dollars for their jewelry pieces, even if they did incorporate high levels of skill.
