A wonderful and rare Portuguese reliquary ring crafted in the 18th century from silver and gold. It features a wooden icon of "Nossa Senhora" (Our Lady) behind a quartz crystal, framed by a frieze of "minas novas" (quartz), beautifully engraved on the reverse and sitting on an ornate band.
In the middle of the 18th century in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, diamond mines and a huge variety of other precious and semi-precious stones were discovered, in addition to gold. Among the former, a variety of totally colorless quartz - hyaline quartz - better known as rock crystal, became especially popular with Portuguese customers. This type of stone, after being cut, can appear to the naked eye very similar to diamond, but of much lower valu
The ring has been crafted in silver and 18k yellow gold (tests). The pear shaped face measures approximately 12.6mm tall by 11mm at its widest. This ring fits like a size 5 and weighs 2.2g. Wear commensurate with age and use, scratches to the crystal - there is a chip at the top of the central quartz pear. You will receive the pictured ring.
All my pieces ship from my studio in Toronto, ON. Please read shop policies before purchasing and/or should you have any questions.
You can view my newest pieces on Instagram at @black.umbrella.jewelry
