Need help identifying this ring...

[jurai]

Just got this ring at a local antique store. I am stomped on where it came from, what the silver markings are and even the stone used... I am not really good at knowing this stuff, would be nice if some one can help. Thanks! View attachment 601421 View attachment 601422

 

[VRBeauty]

Hmmm... for some reason I'm not seeing the image now, but based on having seen it earlier...

That series of little squares or dots on the inside of the ring might be the hallmark, which is a "code" of sorts that identifies the metal purity, and when and where the purity was established - that is, when and where it was assayed.

This is a good site for getting started on deciphering that code:

http://www.modernsilver.com/basichallmarks.htm

Here's another one, specific to silver hallmarks. This site also has a forum that might be helpful. (NOte, though, that your pictures were not clear enough to allow for an ID):

http://www.925-1000.com/

As to the stone, the first thing that came to my mind was labradorite. But gem ID by photo is risky business, especially since there are so many simulants around.

 

[jurai]

Hmmm... for some reason I'm not seeing the image now, but based on having seen it earlier...

That series of little squares or dots on the inside of the ring might be the hallmark, which is a "code" of sorts that identifies the metal purity, and when and where the purity was established - that is, when and where it was assayed.

This is a good site for getting started on deciphering that code:

http://www.modernsilver.com/basichallmarks.htm

Here's another one, specific to silver hallmarks. This site also has a forum that might be helpful. (NOte, though, that your pictures were not clear enough to allow for an ID):

http://www.925-1000.com/

As to the stone, the first thing that came to my mind was labradorite. But gem ID by photo is risky business, especially since there are so many simulants around.

Thanks VR for the feedback, i dont know why the pic no longer shows.. the silver hallmarks looks like an M - C - E in the old year/letter marks of the 1840's i think.. but i read in the data you gave me, the hallmark date letters has a shield when stamped, this ring does not have that and there are three letters.. as opposed to just one.. hmmm
I also thought it was labradorite or moonstone but more on the labradorite due to the color..

 

[jurai]

 

[VRBeauty]

Another possibility is that the "MCE" isn't a hallmark at all, but a maker's mark.... and tracing maker's marks can be nearly impossible! I'm kind of leaning towards that since each of the letters appears to be in the same "gothic" style, and there's no real indicator of the silver's purity.

You might want to post your query on the 925-1000 forum too.

Speaking of gothic, I think that could also describe the style of that ring. A quick google search shows that labradorite seems to be a paired with gothic style jewelry a lot. I'm guessing your ring is less that 30 years old, since that's about when the modern goth fascination started.

 

[jurai]

Wow, at least i have some idea of what this ring is about, hehe.
BTW, based on the indicators we have, do you think it is hard to determine/guess which country the ring came from? The black scales on the side of the ring feels like leather, does anyone do that nowadays?

Thanks