Astonishing Victorian Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl Ring

An entirely wonderful statement; a very grand and potent aura exudes from this magnificent ring. Set with a rare and early example of a Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl gem, we have expended great care in restoring this fabulous jewel; the stone repolished by our lapidary and the carved shoulders redrawn again a leafesque symphony by our skilled hand engraver (a job he immensely enjoyed!).

Historically Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl has been attributed with great power; believed by the ancients to balance energies and foster meditation. Its attraction as a subject for this unique handmade ring will have been found in its rarity and mineralogical interest as at the time there were few known sources of this revered gemstone. 

In the late 1800s, in the gem rich gravels of the Pelmadulla rice paddy fields of Sri Lanka, a rough cats-eye of over 700 carats was discovered on the land of a famous aristocratic lady. Famed for its likeness; this piece was named The Lions Eye and is still the largest example ever found. The gem became significantly more popular by the end of the 19th century when the Duke of Connaught gave a ring with a Cat's Eye as an engagement token; this was sufficient to make the stone more popular and increase its value greatly. Until that time, cat's eye had predominantly been present in gem and mineral collections. 

Crafted in 15ct Gold (a standard used solely in Britain between the years of 1854-1932), it is fully hallmarked for the year 1862 at the Birmingham Assay Office and also shows the maker's mark for Jesse Parks of Bath St in Birmingham (registered in 1811). 

The ring size is a 'P' or '7.5' but could potentially be altered somewhat for fit. 

You'll see in the images a natural inclusion in the stone. This is quite stable as we have had it confirmed by our lapidarist. Read further on the Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl here. 

The stone measures (whilst in the setting) 14.73mm x 12.22mm and sits 9.43mm off the finger.