Gemini Twins: Georgian Planetary Rings

In the Middle Ages the main duty of a knight was to fight and lead into combat the cavalry of his liege. Typically attired in a metal suit of armor, it was virtually impossible to differentiate who was friend and who was foe. Consequently, a means of identification became crucial and a system of identification based on colored shapes placed on a shield or flag—what we know as heraldry and the coat of arms or armorial bearings—was instituted.

During the late medieval period and Renaissance the practice of blazoning tinctures (colors and metals of the different arms) with precious stones and by reference to the seven classical “planets” which included the sun and the moon was begun. Astrological and alchemical references became the basis for both the philosophy of thought and of action.

Scare and well representing the ideals of the Georgian period is this pair of antique planetary or what is sometimes referred to as astrological rings. Traditionally the finer gems are linked with their planetary escorts but medieval mineralogy used names to designate certain minerals which, in many cases, refer to other minerals than those which now bear the same names.

The name sapphire was used also for lapis lazuli and probably also for a number of other blue minerals and stood for Jupiter and Libra. Smaragdus included not only emerald but also malachite, green feldspar or other minerals which had a bright green color and referred to Venus, Capricorn and Scorpio. The term “carbuncle” designated a bright red, hard, transparent mineral that might be a ruby, an almandine, pyrope or allied variety of garnet or some other mineral resembling them and paired with Mars. The Sun is associated with both gold (Or) and the topaz.

Each of the 14k yellow gold rings is set in the same order with seven gems: two of malachite, two of lapis, two of goldstone (man-made glass usually from Venice) and one dyed red agate. Scarce, unique and filled with magical powers for all eternity.

Measurements: Circles on the rings are 1/4 of an inch (0.7 cm) in diameter. Each antique ring has a weight of 2.4 grams. One is size US 4-3/4 (British I-1/2; Euro 15.50, 49 mm). Other is slightly larger at size US 5 (British J; Euro 15.75, 50 mm). These rings should not be sized.

Condition: Excellent

Date: Circa 1810 – 1820

Note: For reference to this type of ring, see the book, "Finger Ring Lore: Historical, Legendary and Anecdotal” by William Jones.