Ring roundup: weirdos.

Here’s the ring that inspired this post. It’s insane. Almost off-putting. It looks like a blank ring was covered in glue and dropped into a jeweler’s work tray. But the longer I looked at it, the more I came to love it. It’s beautiful – an abstract collage of varicolored gemstones set in a platinum and diamond canvas.

If you look closely, can see that the emeralds and rubies are carved, tutti-frutti style. The varying opacity of the stones mean that this beauty would catch the light in a really interesting way. It’s an Art Deco dinner ring from 1925, and the lovelies it’s set with include carved emeralds, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, citrines, and diamonds. The whole melange is framed within a border of black enamel.

This ring looks like a porcupine trying to swallow an aquamarine that’s too large for its mouth. You know you see it too. But I mean that in the best way. It’s vintage, from the later part of the 20th century. With its ropelike mixed-metal details, baguette diamond accents, and giant aquamarine, I think this is an exceptionally cool piece.

This guy is really, seriously weird. Even the good folks at Lang Antiques aren’t sure what the figure is supposed to be (they identified him as “An ancient bearded ancestor of Gene Simmons (of the band Kiss),” which I am 99.9% sure is a joke). This unusual cameo, which is set in rose gold, is Victorian and does indeed feature a bearded man sticking his tongue out. I have a weakness for unusual cameos and I’d wear this one in a heartbeat.

This ring might look a little bit like a squid but it’s the prettiest squid you ever did see. It features a natural pink conch pearl (you know how I love conch pearls) and three sparkling white European-cut diamonds, totaling 1.15 carats. The diamonds are arranged in a pattern somewhat reminiscent of a fleur d’ leis. The ring is Victorian, circa 1880, and is set in platinum and yellow gold.

I’m reasonably sure you don’t need me to explain to you what I love about this ring. But I will anyway: look at his little face!! Those ruby eyes are full of personality. That, and the incredible detailing of the gold – look at the horns, don’t they look like two elaborately coiled springs? And I love how the twisted motif goes all around the shank. This beauty is vintage, made Greece at an unknown date, and it’s set in 18 K gold.