Collectors of early jewelry know how rare Stuart Crystal pieces are. These originated at the time of Charles I execution in 1649 as an expression of royalist loyalty and Charles I's martyrdom. As the century wore on, Stuart Crystal jewelry began to be made to celebrate friendship, betrothals, and marriages, as well as to commemorate deaths. A natural quartz crystal is present in all Stuart Crystal jewelry; most have pink/red-colored foil and gold wire designs or ciphers under the crystal while others have hair or tiny cherubs, skeletons, or other figures. This ring is so very rare because blue foil was seldom used. The color is deep, wonderful, and not at all clouded. The meaning of the design made by the gold wire in this ring is lost in time; also unclear is whether the gold wire cipher rests on hair or a piece of cloth. The oval-shaped crystal sits in a silver bezel with a gold shank with what appear to be frond leaf decoration. The crystal, silver, and gold have some minor scratches consistent with age. A rare and beautiful 300+ year old ring in excellent condition.