Antique Georgian Ring moss agate 18k gold pearls enamel locket secret (7559)

Antique Georgian ring.  18k gold, moss agate, pearls, blue enamel. Made in France circa 1770 Prior to the French Revolution.
Unisex - can be worn by a man or a woman.  

Measurements:

 Weight is 4.1 grams. Length of bezel is 7/8 inch (22mm). A tad under US size 6.

Description :

Oval bezel. The outer border is gold with a pattern of feather foliage in rich royal blue enamel. An openwork ring of small pearls is bordered on either side by gold beaded ellipses. The minute workmanship of this beading is breathtaking when you consider that it was all done by hand. Finally, in the middle is an oval of moss agate that was clearly used because it looks much like a landscape in tones of gold and brown with a 'blue sky' - area, fading to gold below. 
A tiny thumbpiece facilitates opening the secret compartment that would be used to hold a locket or a portrait. The inside of the top allows light to enter from above, forming tiny, delicate patterns when viewed from different angles. Firm, secure hinge - again the minute workmanship is breathtaking. 
The golden shoulders with raised trifurcate branches and tiny engraved textured detail to the central leaf. Very simple gold band. 
It is likely that the pearls are natural pearls (not tested) and that they were restrung. 

Marks and Metal:

We did not find any gold marks which conforms to the period in which the ring was made. Gold was electronically tested as at leat 18k gold besides a spot where the ring was sized long ago. There is an indistinct A and possibly another letter (D?) in the center of the inside gold surface. 
     

Condition:

Good with minor wear commensurate with age.  Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.   

THE STORY:

Jewelry was versatile and often performed more than one function. In the case of this ring, it is not only a beautiful jewel that can be worn by a woman or a man, but it contains a secret compartment or locket for holding a particle belonging to, or reminding the wearer of a loved one. Was this given to a woman to remind her of her children? Did it contain a portrait or lock of hair of a lover? We do not know who the original owner or gift-giver was, but we can see that the ring has clearly been taken care of for 250 years.