This unusual antique 18K gold ring features a thick, black singular strand of elephant hair inside of the overlapping gold band shape. The tips are fashioned in gold and resemble a snake-like motif.

This is a fine example of a circa 1900 souvenir ring from British ‘Raj’ era India. In this period, there was a trend to incorporate jewellery with strands of elephant hair, after wealthy visitors went on a ride on an elephant ride and subsequently commissioned jewellery with a strand of tail hair from an elephant as a memento of their trip (without harming the elephant!). These exotic pieces would be brought back home as reminders of their trip and given to loved ones as gifts. Elephant hair jewellery dates back thousands of years, with African tribesmen using elephant tail hair into their jewellery to ward off illness, protect them from harm, to bring them love and happiness.

UK size L, US size 5.75

The ring weighs 2.13 grams, and the gold band is stamped with two hallmarks. One of these is a French 18K import mark. The band measures 2mm across.

The Victorian era was a period of great change and innovation in the world of jewellery. Spanning from 1837 to 1901, the era witnessed an explosion of styles from romantic and sentimental to Gothic and grotesque. The use of jet, onyx, and coral in mourning jewellery became popular after the death of Prince Albert in 1861. The discovery of diamond mines in South Africa in 1867 led to an increase in the use of diamonds in jewellery, as well as the popularity of more elaborate gemstone cuts such as the cushion, rose, and old mine cuts.

Victorian jewellery was also notable for its use of complex symbolism, such as snake motifs that represented eternal love or the use of flowers to convey hidden meanings. The jewellery made in this era featured the finest materials and was made by highly skilled craftsmen, making it some of the most desirable antique jewellery for its unique charm and fine quality.

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.