Edwardian Double Serpent Ring

The snake or serpent has been a powerful image since antiquity and has been an inspiration for jewelry design for ages. Often used to symbolize eternity and everlasting life, the snake motif was ever-present during the Georgian and Victorian eras and well into the Edwardian times.

Rose gold of 15k is the perfect medium to project the strength and sensuality inherent in this Edwardian period ring. Two intertwined snakes, rendered in detail with carved tooling suggestive of eyes and mouth, are each appointed with diamonds as the third eye. The gems are an old European cut diamond of .07 carats and a single cut .05 carat diamond. The shoulders are split into three coils of the body of the serpents and seamlessly meld into a bifurcated or split shank.

Measures just less than ½ of an inch (1.1 cm) across and rises from finger 1/8 of an inch (0.3 cm). Has a weight of 6.5 grams. Currently is a size US 9 (British R ½; Euro 19.00, 60 mm). Can be sized to fit most. Hallmarked with marker’s mark “HWL” and with a worn set of hallmarks with only crown remaining visible. The condition is very good; light to medium wear otherwise fine. Previous resizing visible with a tiny amount of lighter colored gold visible upon very close inspection or with magnification. English in origin and dates to circa 1915.

Note: All diamond weights are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.