Edgy square steampunk ring with vintage mechanical Swiss Elgin watch movement with exposed real ruby jewel bearings and gears set on a nickel-free antiqued brass ring. I have adorned this one with a whimsical brass butterfly.
This is a wonderfully sturdy adjustable ring that fits both men and women just below a size 6 to above an 11. The ends are rounded, so this is a comfortable adjustable ring. See photos for details.
ABOUT THE DESIGN:
Bees, Butterflies, and other insects were popular, along with other natural themes throughout the Victorian Era. Butterflies were particularly popular in 1894, appearing in jeweled pendants, brooches, dress prints and hair jewelry. The original jeweled versions this design is based upon are breathtaking - you can find them in the jewelry archive of the Victoria & Albert museum.
The Victorian era was a bridge between old traditions and new technologies. At the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert received the first mechanical keyless wind watches, making pocket watches and watch fobs popular for both men and women until the mid 20th century. While pocket watches had been worn for more than a century, wrist watches were introduced around 1900, called "wristlets" were introduced, in part because of the development of a more affordable jewel bearings production process, which made smaller, more accurate watches possible. Assumed to be a passing fad, wrist watches caught on and were most popular in the 1920s and 1930s, which is why most of the watches I work with are Art Deco from this period. An emblem of a past era of craftsmanship, these mechanical watches have real or synthetic jewel bearings, originally made with ruby, garnet, diamond, and sapphire. Many watches have the name of the watch maker, intricate tooling or design work, seen only when the watch was repaired, cleaned, and maintained. Celebrate analog!
All items come in a gift box.
Compass Rose Design revives historic heirlooms into wearable art. Everything in our shop is handmade in our studio just north of San Francisco, California.
SEE MORE:
Steampunk Necklaces:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=7008013
Steampunk Earrings
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=7015168
Steampunk Rings:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=7390208
Victorian Style Necklaces:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=6883252
Victorian Style Earrings:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=6883254
Antique Button Rings:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=6883257
Bracelets, Pins, Watches:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=7758576
SALE!:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CompassRoseDesign?section_id=11298992
Or see the entire Compass Rose Design Jewelry Collection:
http://www.compassrosedesign.etsy.com
ORDERING WITH COMPASS ROSE DESIGN:
As artists of handcrafted goods, we guarantee our work – but we go a step further with our no-hassle exchange/return policy. Please read our shop policies for all the details if you have questions BEFORE purchase. Contact us with any questions or if you’d like priority shipping or insurance, as these are not included with regular shipping prices. Remember there is sometimes natural variation in hues or loving wear that accompanies the genuine antique items we work with. Thank you for supporting handmade!
ABOUT COMPASS ROSE DESIGN:
Compass Rose Design Jewelry is a tiny, woman-owned family business based just north of San Francisco, California.
All designs, text, & photos copyright © Compass Rose Design Jewelry.
http://www.compassrosedesign.etsy.com
Consignment and Wholesale available - just ask!
Convo me with any questions :)
Have any questions?
Contact the shop owner.
