PANSY "Pensée a Moi" Think of Me Blue Green Enamel Heart Ring French 18k Gold 10k Cigar Wide Band Shank Floral Figural Stacker

Time for Mouse to clean out her jewelry house (box)! Working on a big stock drop of ALL personal collection releases so I hope you like what I like! : )
Meanwhile... Sorrows, tears, sorrows, tears... - I still love each and every one of these, but I just don't get around to wearing them all enough and we have other needs right now so I'm hoping to re-home them where they can be loved and enjoyed. : )
I also try to keep my PC pretty humble so as I add things throughout the years, every so often I do a big clear out and these are some of my all time faves - figurals, some with secrets, dates, all have meaning to me so they will be sent to the buyer with all my love and joy and happy memories : )

ABOUT:
This ring is a combination of many of my favorite things - sentimental jewelry, floral jewelry (particularly pansies), French traditional jewelry and antique enamel work. This one has it all and it is one of a kind.

This was originally a hair work ring. With the ring face being a hollow plaque of gold that worked like a slide, sort of clamped around the braided hair section, and from which the hair extended out either side to serve as the shank.

Certainly a love or friendship token with a secret romantic or friendship message. The intricate artwork inside depicts a pansy. Being a French piece, the flower is actually named "pensee" in French, which is also the French word that translates to "Thought", Below the flower we see the words in French "a moi" So combining the flower and the text portrays the message "Think of me."

At each shoulder of the ring is a heart engraved with initials in the center - GA on one side and CE or GE on the other.

When I acquired it, the hair shank was broken and it was not wearable but I didn't want to see the treasure scrapped. So I took it to my jeweler and had them affix the face to a 10k gold shank (I had to be cost conscious about it and a wide band was required due to the ring face).

The French stamp for 18k is inside the back of the ring face as that is where it was originally stamped on the hair work ring. The shank has a faint 10k stamp.

MEASUREMENTS:
Size 6 1/2. Ring face is 7.2mm north to south, and the wide band is 5.9mm. It weighs 3.7 grams.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Because of the intricate fabrication of the original ring face, they had to work the wide band of the ring into the openings on either side of the ring face. It wasn't possible to put it on a skinny shank due to the way the heart shoulders were formed so they sort of tapered the ends of the 10k band, inserted it into the antique ring face and then they welded it inside with a little gold but also used some adhesive to secure it. None of this is visible while wearing but it was the only way to make it work as a ring and to preserve it. Just a slight bit of difference in patina if you are really looking for contrast but overall well matching. It's perfectly sturdy and wearable but I would avoid 24/7 wear as I wouldn't want it soaked in water while bathing or washing hands, dishes etc. as that might weaken the connection points at the shoulders.

Very legible and so sweet. Some loss to the enamel especially to the black outline of the ring face but the "pansy a moi" is complete and clear.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )

All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).

Many of my listings include group shots – I find the comparisons between pieces help show scale, diamond hues, etc. All items in group shots are inventory, but refer to the website to see what items have sold out and to watch for new listings from the grouping to appear on the home page.

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