1975 Constructivist Ring by Joel Degen
Degen's jewellery is not sculpted; it is constructed.
Joel Degen (born 1941) is a self-taught jeweller who moved to London from France in 1965 and joined what is now Contemporary Applied Arts the following year, beginning a membership that has now lasted sixty years. His early work combined silver with unexpected materials such as anodised aluminium, onyx and even computer fittings, and rings from this period are held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. From the start, Degen treated jewellery as something to be constructed rather than sculpted: a 1976 design drawing in the V&A shows rings whose coloured stones lock into place or are held by hidden springs so they can be swapped and reconfigured.
This ring, hallmarked in London in 1975, belongs to that inventive silver period. It is a constructivist piece in silver, onyx and carnelian, made in two interlinking parts that fit together in multiple ways. Later in the decade Degen turned to titanium, winning first prizes at De Beers Diamonds Today in 1978 and 1981, and his work is now in the collections of Goldsmiths’ Hall, the V&A, the Crafts Council and the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia.
Era: Post-War Modern, 1975
Stones: Onyx & Carnelian
Ring size: L 1/2 or 6 US. Not resizable.
Head: 19mm by 9.7mm
Hallmarks: English, Sterling Silver, London, 1975. JD maker's mark.
Condition: Great vintage condition; light wear consistent with age
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
DHL 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 no longer charges a 10% tariff on antiques shipped from the UK. We will ensure that our parcels are correctly declared using the relevant HTS codes to qualify for the tariff exemption and zero-rated (0%) duties so you won't have any customs fees to pay at the border. You will remain liable for any handling/storage fees charged by DHL as a result of a delay in providing any additional customs information.
[Last updated: September 2026]
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.
Buying a Gift?
Leave a note at checkout and we'll include a handwritten note to the recipient. Just tell us what you'd like to say :)
More Questions?
Get in touch... There's a live chat at the bottom right of the page.
info@lostowl.com
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