This ring is beautifully delicate yet surprisingly striking on the hand. It centres on a rich purple oval-cut amethyst, surrounded by a wonderfully pretty halo of creamy seed pearls and intricate goldwork.

The amethyst measures approximately 7.5mm by 5.5mm and is held in a traditional claw setting, allowing plenty of the stone to remain visible. Its purple colour provides a gorgeous contrast against the soft lustre of the pearls, which are arranged individually around the centre stone to create an elongated floral cluster.

It is the setting, however, that really gives this ring its charm. Each pearl sits within its own finely worked section of gold, joined by delicate openwork and subtle rope-style detailing. The tiny gold bead accents punctuate the outer edge, creating an almost lace-like effect. Viewed from the side, the open construction becomes even more apparent and gives the ring a lightness that belies the impressive 16mm by 14mm size of the head. The slender polished gold band keeps all of the attention on that beautiful centrepiece. At 3 grams, it has a lovely feel without losing the delicacy that makes the design so appealing.

The original hallmark has become worn with age and is no longer sufficiently clear to rely upon for identifying the gold fineness. The ring has therefore been tested using an XRF analyser to confirm its gold content.

Currently a Size M½, this is such a charming example of antique gemstone jewellery. The combination of purple amethyst, luminous pearls and beautifully detailed open goldwork gives it an unmistakably romantic appearance, and at 16mm by 14mm, it has far more presence on the finger than its 3-gram weight might suggest.