pulsetrain
Paul
Had some good finds a couple of weeks ago in a small cut at the beach.
One of the rings I found ended up being a lot older than I guessed.
Thought I'd post it up for anyone interested.
Only a small ring, heavy for it's size. Doesn't fit on my pinkie finger but weighing over 3 grams should be 22K, at least it has the right colour.

I'm guessing the stone could be a ruby or spinel. I don't think it is a garnet, they tend to get rounded edges and a frosted appearance after years in the sand.
Unfortunately the stone has taken a big hit and cracked. Found 2 heartbreakers in this cut, the other was an engagement ring with a missing stone.
I'd have to say the broken stone is the one that is more disappointing.

I didn't recognize the style of hallmarks and it took some detective work to track down the maker.

The maker was John de Gallais, from one of the Channel Islands (near France).
He had a few different hallmarks.

During his partnership with Thomas de Gruchy (1831-1846).

Second one is a spoon with an 1847 inscription, same hallmarks as the ring I found (after he took over the business).
Very similar to his original mark and the TDG mark is removed.

Third one is the trefoil design, registered in 1849 (in the yellow pic).
Hallmarks suggest the ring is from the late 1840's.
Also interesting is there is no mark for purity, did they only use 22K in those days?
During my searches, I wasn't able to find any examples of his gold rings.

I wonder if I have the only surviving example, kept safe all these years underwater on the other side of the world.
pt
One of the rings I found ended up being a lot older than I guessed.
Thought I'd post it up for anyone interested.
Only a small ring, heavy for it's size. Doesn't fit on my pinkie finger but weighing over 3 grams should be 22K, at least it has the right colour.

I'm guessing the stone could be a ruby or spinel. I don't think it is a garnet, they tend to get rounded edges and a frosted appearance after years in the sand.
Unfortunately the stone has taken a big hit and cracked. Found 2 heartbreakers in this cut, the other was an engagement ring with a missing stone.
I'd have to say the broken stone is the one that is more disappointing.

I didn't recognize the style of hallmarks and it took some detective work to track down the maker.

The maker was John de Gallais, from one of the Channel Islands (near France).
He had a few different hallmarks.

During his partnership with Thomas de Gruchy (1831-1846).

Second one is a spoon with an 1847 inscription, same hallmarks as the ring I found (after he took over the business).
Very similar to his original mark and the TDG mark is removed.

Third one is the trefoil design, registered in 1849 (in the yellow pic).
Hallmarks suggest the ring is from the late 1840's.
Also interesting is there is no mark for purity, did they only use 22K in those days?
During my searches, I wasn't able to find any examples of his gold rings.

I wonder if I have the only surviving example, kept safe all these years underwater on the other side of the world.
pt