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Book Your AppointmentVictorian 18ct Gold, Black Enamel & Diamond Mourning Ring
№ 502T
560 Admirers
Rare Find
A very interesting 18ct75% pure gold (or 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts other metals) More gold mourningRings made especially to mark the death of a loved one. Often called 'memento mori' rings. Rare examples survive intact and are highly collectable. More ring that commemorated the life of Garden Duff who died on the 15th march 1858.
Garden William Duff, 8th of Hatton, was born on 29 October 1779 in Auchterless, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His parents were John Duff and Helen Duff.
Garden Duff married Louisa Dunbar, the daughter of Sir Benjamin Dunbar of Hempriggs, 3rd Bt. on 17th September 1805. In August 1818 Garden inherited the Hatton Estates from his brother Andrew. For the past 18 years, due to Andrew’s mental incapacity, Garden had been managing the estate, but he now was the Laird. Garden was to remain Laird of Hatton for nearly forty years. He improved the property, rebuilt Hatton Lodge, formerly Balquholly, and renamed it Hatton Castle. He was a Major in the Banff, Moray and Nairn Light Infantry Militia.
He died in 1858, aged 80, from the effects of a fall from from his chair in the dining room. The Inverness Courier of 1 April 1858 reported that he ‘had been in his usual health up till a short time ago, when he met with an accident, by which he sustained a fractureThe texture of a freshly broken surface, e.g. that of certain gemstones that show no trace of cleavage. A fracture has distinct characteristics in certain stones, but it is not generally an aid in identifying an uncut stone. More of the thigh. At his age, the injury could not be other than serious, and he never recovered its effect, but sank gradually, till Monday the 15th ult., when he expired.’
It is always fascinating to know the history of these mourning rings and this example is in great condition. The centre is shield shaped and has been set with an old mine cutAn 18th, 19th and early 20th century diamond shape, typically cushion or asymmetrical, marked by a small table, a high crown and a large culet. Culets are the small flat facets at the bottom of a stone which appear to the untrained eye as a hole in the middle of the stone. Before the advent of modern machinery which allows for the precise faceting we see tod... More diamondA precious, lustrous gemstone made of highly compressed carbon. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials known to mankind. Colours of diamonds range from colourless, yellow, orange and brown to almost black. Natural coloured (or ‘fancy’) diamonds can be extremely rare. The cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond are the criteria jewellers use... More in the centre with a black enamelA pigmented glass-like material used in powdered form and fused onto the metal surface of a piece of jewellery. More surround and graduated rose diamonds. There are also graduated rose diamonds set in to the shouldersThe point on a ring where the central section meets the shank or band, often carved, decorated or inlaid with small diamond accent stones. More within a black enamel ribbon surround. Underneath there was originally a glazed locket compartment but only the surround remains.
The Details
This mourning ring is gorgeous!
Essentials
Item Number:
№ 502T
Current Ring Size:
Measurements:
Top 1.23cm by 1.1cm
Diamond approx weight 0.15 carats
Rose diamonds approx total weight 0.27 carats.
Diamond approx weight 0.15 carats
Rose diamonds approx total weight 0.27 carats.
Place of Origin:
England
Discovered:
3 years ago
Hallmarks
Maker’s Mark:
SO
Assay Year:
1855
Assay Office:
London 
Traditional Fineness:
Gold 
Early Fineness:
- 18CT
Condition
Fair
Good
Very Good
Excellent
Glazed part of locket underneath missing
Care Tips
- Avoid chipping enamel
- Check delicate settings regularly
- Take special care of historical jewellery
Ring Sizing
We offer one free complimentary sizing for this ring.
Ring sizing adds 2-3 working days to the delivery estimate.
Current Ring Size
UK L ½ Eligible for Free Resizing
UK L ½ Eligible for Free Resizing
Delivery
We are pleased to offer FREE DELIVERY on all purchases.
All orders are fully insured and dispatched securely by our trusted partner, DHL Express.
Estimated Arrival
UK – 18th June
USA & Europe – 20th–24th June
Rest of World – 25th–27th June
Please Note:
Ring sizing adds 2-3 working days to the delivery estimate.
Returns
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UK
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