The snake was employed in vast amounts of Victorian and Edwardian jewelry as a symbol of everlasting love - in fact, Queen Victoria's own engagement featured a snake set with an emerald. Here, a tear-shaped turquoise crowns a not-so-scary snake with an undulating body. Made around 1880 in 18k gold.
MATERIALS: 18k gold (marked), 7mm x 4.7mm pear-shaped turquoise cabochon, 2 1.5mm old European cut diamonds
AGE: c. 1880
CONDITION: Very good - mark from a previous resizing on the inside of the shank
SIZE: 6, can be resized; 5/8" head, 1/8" shank