A lovely signet ring with deftly carved intaglio initials. Intaglio - the carving of designs into the flat surface of a stone, is a near lost art. While the practice goes back millennia, as signets have ceased to be used in their original function of sealing in the last 100-150 years and have become mostly decorative, the specialty has fallen away with most signets being engraved in metal only now. There remains an active pocket of experts in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, and we eagerly watch as a handful of independent glypticians bring new eyes to the craft.

Fair antique condition, but with evidence of soft solder; possible (though old) conversion. Engraved T.A.

Details:

• 12k yellow gold, stamped and tested

• Size 7 and do not recommend resizing
• One oval bloodstone slab
• Face of ring measures 14.8mm wide, 12.2mm across, with a 3.4mm rise; back of band measures 2.1mm wide and 1mm thick

• 3.2g