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This antique Victorian period gold and bloodstone signet ring has a hidden secret. The bezel is hinged, opening up to reveal a secret compartment. Sometimes known as a ‘poison ring’, these rings were made in the 19th century and are becoming increasingly hard to find today.
The signet dates from circa 1870 and is crafted in solid 18K gold. The bezel is set with an oval bloodstone plaque with bright red splatters. Bloodstone is the birthstone for March, historically known as the ‘stone of courage’, worn by warriors in battle for protection and to stop bleeding wounds.
The first ‘poison rings’ were designed to have hidden compartments, usually under a hinged or removable bezel, where poison was kept in powdered form. The wearer would loosen the clasp and when their victim is unwary, they could simply turn their hand over and deposit the cyanide, arsenic, or poison of their choice into their victim's drink.
Not all poison rings were used for carrying out murder plots. In the Georgian and Victorian periods they often contained mementos of loved ones, other powdered concoctions, romantic keepsakes, perfume, smelling salts, relics, locks of hair, miniature portraits. In any case, these rings have a lot of charm and mystery about them and never fail to fire up the imagination.
UK size Q 1/2, 8.25g
The ring is in good overall condition, the locket is very secure with some light signs of wear commensurate with it’s age. The main condition issue is the small chip to the corner of the bloodstone.
The ring carries French control marks for imported 18K gold and would have been made in England and later retailed in Paris.
The ring weighs 9.6 grams in total, and the oval bloodstone measures 15mm x 10mm. The band measures 3mm across at the back.
The years of wear have created an incredibly silky texture on the inside of the ring which feels fantastic on the finger. A superb antique signet ring, made to last.
This antique Victorian period gold and bloodstone signet ring has a hidden secret. The bezel is hinged, opening up to reveal a secret compartment. Sometimes known as a ‘poison ring’, these rings were made in the 19th century and are becoming increasingly hard to find today.
The signet dates from circa 1870 and is crafted in solid 18K gold. The bezel is set with an oval bloodstone plaque with bright red splatters. Bloodstone is the birthstone for March, historically known as the ‘stone of courage’, worn by warriors in battle for protection and to stop bleeding wounds.
The first ‘poison rings’ were designed to have hidden compartments, usually under a hinged or removable bezel, where poison was kept in powdered form. The wearer would loosen the clasp and when their victim is unwary, they could simply turn their hand over and deposit the cyanide, arsenic, or poison of their choice into their victim's drink.
Not all poison rings were used for carrying out murder plots. In the Georgian and Victorian periods they often contained mementos of loved ones, other powdered concoctions, romantic keepsakes, perfume, smelling salts, relics, locks of hair, miniature portraits. In any case, these rings have a lot of charm and mystery about them and never fail to fire up the imagination.
UK size Q 1/2, 8.25g
The ring is in good overall condition, the locket is very secure with some light signs of wear commensurate with it’s age. The main condition issue is the small chip to the corner of the bloodstone.
The ring carries French control marks for imported 18K gold and would have been made in England and later retailed in Paris.
The ring weighs 9.6 grams in total, and the oval bloodstone measures 15mm x 10mm. The band measures 3mm across at the back.
The years of wear have created an incredibly silky texture on the inside of the ring which feels fantastic on the finger. A superb antique signet ring, made to last.
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