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Book Your Virtual ConsultationVictorian 18ct Gold, Black Enamel & Diamond Mourning Ring
№ 502T
900 Admirers
Rare Find
A very interesting 18ct75% pure gold (or 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts other metals) gold mourningRings made especially to mark the death of a loved one. Often called 'memento mori' rings. Rare examples survive intact and are highly collectable. ring that commemorated the life of Garden Duff who died on the 15th march 1858.
Garden William Duff, 8th of Hatton, was born on 29 October 1779 in Auchterless, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His parents were John Duff and Helen Duff.
Garden Duff married Louisa Dunbar, the daughter of Sir Benjamin Dunbar of Hempriggs, 3rd Bt. on 17th September 1805. In August 1818 Garden inherited the Hatton Estates from his brother Andrew. For the past 18 years, due to Andrew’s mental incapacity, Garden had been managing the estate, but he now was the Laird. Garden was to remain Laird of Hatton for nearly forty years. He improved the property, rebuilt Hatton Lodge, formerly Balquholly, and renamed it Hatton Castle. He was a Major in the Banff, Moray and Nairn Light Infantry Militia.
He died in 1858, aged 80, from the effects of a fall from from his chair in the dining room. The Inverness Courier of 1 April 1858 reported that he ‘had been in his usual health up till a short time ago, when he met with an accident, by which he sustained a fractureThe texture of a freshly broken surface, e.g. that of certain gemstones that show no trace of cleavage. A fracture has distinct characteristics in certain stones, but it is not generally an aid in identifying an uncut stone. of the thigh. At his age, the injury could not be other than serious, and he never recovered its effect, but sank gradually, till Monday the 15th ult., when he expired.’
It is always fascinating to know the history of these mourning rings and this example is in great condition. The centre is shield shaped and has been set with an old mine cutAn 18th, 19th and early 20th century diamond shape, typically cushion or asymmetrical, marked by a small table, a high crown and a large culet. Culets are the small flat facets at the bottom of a stone which appear to the untrained eye as a hole in the middle of the stone. Before the advent of modern machinery which allows for the precise faceting we see tod... diamondA precious, lustrous gemstone made of highly compressed carbon. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials known to mankind. Colours of diamonds range from colourless, yellow, orange and brown to almost black. Natural coloured (or ‘fancy’) diamonds can be extremely rare. The cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond are the criteria jewellers use... in the centre with a black enamelA pigmented glass-like material used in powdered form and fused onto the metal surface of a piece of jewellery. surround and graduated rose diamonds. There are also graduated rose diamonds set in to the shouldersThe point on a ring where the central section meets the shank or band, often carved, decorated or inlaid with small diamond accent stones. within a black enamel ribbon surround. Underneath there was originally a glazed locket compartment but only the surround remains.
This mourning ring is gorgeous!
Guaranteed Christmas DeliveryTuesday 17th December
Item Number
№
502T
Current Ring Size
Measurements
Top 1.23cm by 1.1cm
Diamond approx weight 0.15 carats
Rose diamonds approx total weight 0.27 carats.
Diamond approx weight 0.15 carats
Rose diamonds approx total weight 0.27 carats.
Date & Origin
Victorian (1839-1901)
English
English
Provenance
English
Hallmarks
Assayed in 1855
Maker's mark SO
Maker's mark SO
London
Gold
18ct gold
Condition
Very Good, glazed part of locket underneath missing.
Care Tips
- Avoid chipping enamel
- Check delicate settings regularly
- Take special care of historical jewellery
Discovered
3 years ago
We offer one free complimentary sizing for each ring purchase.
Ring sizing adds 2-3 working days to the shipping estimate.
Current Ring Size
US 6 Eligible for Free Resizing
US 6 Eligible for Free Resizing
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Guaranteed Christmas Delivery
Tuesday 17th December
Please Note:
Ring sizing adds 2-3 working days to the shipping estimate
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