Egyptian Revival Scarab Ring
Cool Egyptian Revival scarab ring made during the latter half of the 19th century. It's built around a deep teal blue scarab beetle carved from faience, with intricate applied goldwork in the archaeological revival style to the shoulders and around the band. Heiroglyphics feature on the base of the scarab, visible through the open-backed setting.
Faience is a type of ceramic material that's been produced in Egypt for many thousands of years, and was thought to hold magical properties of fertility, renewal, and rebirth. It's created from powdered quartz (silica, probably literally sand) mixed with various alkaline salts, small amounts of lime, and a metallic colourant (often sodium and calcium). I often think its ancient creators must have felt they were dabbling in some kind of otherworldly alchemy when they produced such 'gems' from powder and sand.
Era: Victorian, circa 1870
Ring size: J 1/2 or 5 US
Head: 13.5mm by 9.8mm
Marks: None, tested as 15ct gold
Condition: Good antique condition; light wear consistent with age. A small section of the gold panelling is missing at the back of the band, a prong is missing, and the scarab has taken a few chips over the years - see images. The scarab remains secure in the mount.
Full appraisal document provided with each item
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable)
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Shipping
UPS Express shipping is free of charge on international orders over £300 and it's carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Customs charges a 10% "Reciprocal Tariff" on all parcels coming in from the UK.
We will pay this charge on your behalf and you will see it collected as a line item at checkout.
[Last updated: September 15th, 2025]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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An inscription can be added inside the band, where space allows. Add 3-6 weeks to shipping times Add a note in the cart* with your desired size and/or inscription
*the shopping cart, not checkout