Georgian Memory Ring, 14K

A rather fabulous George III (1760–1820) memory ring , in warm 14K rose gold, with a dark central panel, seed pearls and subtle hairwork beneath the glass.

The ring has a broad, sculptural front centred around a dark oval panel, surrounded by a beautifully proportioned border of tiny seed pearls. At first glance the centre appears almost like a dark stone or glass panel; in the right light and from the right angle, you can see the delicate braided hairwork beneath the glass.

The little seed pearls are worked into the central design as an inscription, described by the previous seller as reading “Love”. The lettering is now very indistinct, and I cannot make out the word with certainty.

Hairwork jewellery was not exclusively mourning jewellery. Braided hair was also made into intimate keepsakes and exchanged as tokens of friendship, affection and remembrance. With no memorial inscription or dates identifying a deceased person, this lovely ring leaves its story open.

I particularly love the design, it has a wonderfully bold Georgian presence, with the dark centre, warm rose gold and little pearls creating a rather dramatic contrast. It feels surprisingly modern in its proportions, despite being well over two centuries old.

• Georgian, 1760–1820

• 14K rose gold

• Seed pearls

• 5.4 g

• US size 8 / EU 56.5, resizeable

• Great Georgian condition, evidence of earlier resizing to the back of the shank, one pearl appears to be a replacement and is slightly smaller than the others