Antique Georgian Ring 18k gold goldstone French secret cherub Unisex (7558)

Antique Georgian ring. 18k gold and aventurine glass, also known as goldstone and verre aventurine in French. Made in France 1798-1809.  Unisex - can be worn by a man or a woman 
 

Measurements:

Weight is 2.8 grams. Length of bezel is 7/8 inch (22mm). US size 7.5.  

Description :

The top of the ring (bezel) is rectangular in shape. It is made on two levels: the mount in gold, a gold colette and rising from the center, the rich coppery colored aventurine glass, studded with shiny metal that looks like the sky. Every slight movement of the hand displays more and more of these tiny, brilliant lights, giving a magical effect. The gold base surrounding the goldstone is finely patterned for greater textural and visual effect. 
Trifurcate shoulders, like branching foliage lead to a very simple gold band. 
The back of the bezel is unique and awesome, depicting a cherub. Over the years, the area around the cherub has become black. It is very possible that much of this can be removed, but we do not wish to disturb the ring above basic cleaning. 

Marks and Metal:

Rooster's head (coq in France) indicating 18k gold on outside of the shank. Faded mark could be maker. 
     

Condition:

Good with minor wear commensurate with age. It's impressive that the glass is in such good shape considering it is well over 2 1/4 centuries old. Similarly for the finely engraved gold. See above for back of bezel. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.   

THE STORY:

In the 1600's a wonderful glass, impregnated with metal such as gold or copper was invented and known as 'verre aventurine' in France and 'aventurine glass' or 'goldstone' in English. It was considered to look like the night sky - full of stars and was very popular in jewelry with its romantic connotations.  
Over and above the pristine beauty of this ring, is the mystery and romance of the cherub at the back. The Georgians were highly sentimental.  Gift-giving was much more prevalent than it is today. They were highly sentimental and romantic and they used and understood many symbols that stood for love and other emotions. The secret message in this ring is very rare and unique. Why was the cherub there in the first place? What did it signify? Was it a symbol of children? Love? Perhaps someone with more knowledge can explain the mystery of the secret cherub. 
Aventurine glass was very popular in France during the reign of Louis XVI and the First Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine.