1820-30s Georgian Turquoise and Blonde Hair Sentimental Ring, 15K, (sold)

This is one of the most pristine Georgian rings I’ve found.  It’s in completely original condition, and shows almost no wear.  

I always love the use of turquoise in Georgian sentimental jewelry.  It was a symbol for love, and was used both as a romantic gesture, and for mourning purposes when a loved one died.  It’s especially poetic: love and sorrow as one.

About 20 to 30 years after this ring was made, mourning jewelry became much more sombre— all black, and aesthetically tied to the Gothic Revival design movement of the mid 19th century.  The jewelry of that period is dark and haunting, but I prefer the more nuanced symbolism of 18th and early 19th century mourning.