This antique gold Canadian signet ring was made around the year 1920 by Birks.

This bezel is intricately engraved to depict a coat of arms with (in heraldry terms) a ‘rampant lion’ with ‘three escallops’.

The ring is crafted in 10K gold, and the underside of the bezel is stamped with the name ‘Ryrie-Birks’. Ryrie Brothers was established in Toronto in 1897 and merged with notable Canadian goldsmiths Birks in the year 1905. They were known as Ryrie-Birks until 1924. After 1924, is was known as only Birks and remains to this day an important Canadian jeweller with a Royal Warrant to supply British royalty.

The ring is in good overall condition, there is some wear to the face commensurate with age. The ring also has a sizing bar attached, can easily be removed by a local jeweller to make the ring half a size bigger if desired.

UK size I 1/2, US size 4.5 (with sizing bar).

The ring weighs a total of 5.9 grams. The oval face measures 17mm x 10mm. The band measures 3mm across at the back.

The Birks tradition can be traced back to 16th century England, where Birks family members were master silversmiths in Sheffield, England. The Birks family emigrated to Canada in 1832. Though the Birks’ roots lie deep in English craftsmanship, it truly came to life when Henry Birks opened a first boutique in the heart of Montreal in 1879. In 1934, Birks received a Royal Warrant to supply British royalty and today the brand is a coveted symbol of Canadian luxury and craftsmanship.

The Edwardian era of jewellery, named after King Edward VII, spanned from 1901 to 1910, although stylistically it is often extended through to 1914. Edwardian jewellery was characterised by a move away from the large and ostentatious jewellery pieces of the Victorian era towards smaller and more refined pieces. Delicate and feminine designs were popular, featuring lace-like filigree work and floral motifs. Platinum became increasingly popular as a metal of choice and the use of colour in jewellery decreased, with the focus on the brilliance of diamonds and the elegance of pearls. The pieces were light, intricate, and eminently elegant, and are perfect for anyone looking for a touch of refined glamour.

DELIVERY

We are pleased to offer free worldwide shipping on all our orders. We dispatch all items via a secure and trackable delivery service providing full insurance for your item. You will receive a shipping confirmation email after purchase with your tracking number so that you know your order is on its way. We aim to dispatch all items within 1-2 working days after payment has been received.

For UK delivery, we send with Royal Mail Special Delivery, arriving by the next working day. For International orders over £1000 we use DHL Express International, and for orders under £1000 we use Royal Mail International Tracked and Signed. All items are sent fully insured.

You can find more information about our shipping policy here.

RETURNS

We understand that purchasing antique jewellery online can be a daunting task, which is why we offer an easy, no-hassle returns policy. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply get in touch within 14 days of receipt for a full refund, no questions asked. We want our customers to feel confident when buying from us, and our returns policy is just one way we ensure this.

Conditions: Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. All items are to be returned in their original condition and packaging. Buyer damaged items and items bought on layaway are ineligible for returns. Items over £2500 can be returned for store credit only.

You can find more information about our returns policy here.