c1800 Aqua Paste Ring

A beautiful and rare Georgian-era ring set with various shaped aqua-colored cut crystal (paste) arranged in a large-scale radiating design. Built in silver and supported with gold griffin heads on the shank. Typical of the period, the stones are foil-backed to give them additional brightness. Some of the foils have oxidized green giving the stones a tinge of teal. The ring was likely made in Portugal in the late 18th century. There are later French hallmarks on the shank, suggesting it was imported there in the early 20th century.

Currently a size 9 and could be resized in the 8 to 10 range for $75. Due to the age and construction of this ring, it's not well suited to everyday wear, and care should be taken to keep it away from water.