Blue Cabochon Ring
Jewelry, specifically a finger ring • Unidentified jeweler or commercial manufacturer.
Style & Movement
Revivalist or Costume Jewelry; the oval cabochon and bezel setting recall late Georgian or Victorian mourning and sentimental jewelry.
Medium & Technique
Opaque blue stone (possibly chalcedony, lapis lazuli, or glass paste) set in a metal mount (likely silver or gold alloy) using a bezel setting technique with decorative shoulders.
Creation Period
Modern/Contemporary base (20th-21st Century), possibly imitating an antique Neo-Classical or Victorian style.
Dimensions & Format
Small-scale personal accessory; estimated bezel size approx. 10mm x 15mm; circular band format.
Subject Description
The piece is functional jewelry featuring a central oval cabochon of a vibrant blue color. The stone is undecorated, focusing on the play of light over its smooth convex surface. The mounting appears to have small decorative motifs at the shoulders where the band meets the bezel.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; the metal shows significant tarnishing and wear, and the stone surface appears to have minor abrasions or dust accumulation. Image quality prevents a definitive grade.
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $150 (highly dependent on the metal purity and the identity of the stone).
Auction Estimate
$10 - $80
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a mass-produced or artisan piece with no documented ownership history visible.
Art Historical Significance
Low; the piece appears to be a common decorative accessory rather than a unique art-historical object. Its significance lies in the continuation of traditional lapidary and metal-smithing forms in contemporary fashion.
Notable Features
The most notable feature is the high-domed oval blue cabochon which mimics the 'moonstone' or 'star sapphire' effect, though the material appears more opaque.
Condition Issues
Visible oxidation/tarnish on the metal band and bezel; surface scratches on the stone; overall signs of heavy wear or poor storage.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning with a soft jewelry cloth; if the metal is silver, a mild tarnish remover could be used. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners if the stone is a glass paste or porous material.