Ruth Workman died on July 5, 1739. She was 66 years old, and must have been quite beloved and wealthy; not everyone had the wealth to mount big diamonds on their mourning rings. in the 18th century, mourning rings were custom-ordered by the family and distributed at the funeral. This practice was especially common among wealthy and prominent families, where the number of rings - and the materials they were made of - commissioned reflected the deceased’s social status and wealth.Mourning rings were often specified in the deceased’s will, with instructions on how many should be made and who should receive them.
MATERIALS: 18k gold (tests), silver, black enamel, 7.3mm x 5mm rose cut diamond
AGE: dedicated in 1739
CONDITION: Very good - loss to the enamel
SIZE: 7, cannot be resized; 5.7mm head, 3.2mm shank