{"product_id":"lost-owl-two-bugs-ring","title":"Lost Owl Two Bugs Ring","description":"\u003cp\u003eA tale of two bugs... \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Shibayama\" jewellery craze, starting a few years back, caused considerable delight and excitement online. Jewellery and small decorative items, usually in silver but occasionally gold, are adorned with little gemstone bugs appearing to scuttle over the surface. Their legs and antennae artfully engraved into the metal and the overall effect is utterly charming; reminiscent of the old Shibayama whist counters produced in Meiji period Japan (1868-1912). True Shibayama is rare, and the inlay is nearly always in ivory or lacquer. It's easy to see why this \"Shibayama\" jewellery caused such a stir (personally, I love it). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was the ring that raised alarm bells re: the \"Shibayama\" jewellery we've seen on Instagram\/Etsy\/eBay over the past few years. It has Mexican silver marks and dates from the 1960s, maybe '70s. We bought it for the bug inlays and appendage engravings... just like we've bought a few others in the past. But then how could a 1970s silver ring have \u003cem\u003ethe same \u003c\/em\u003eshibayama inlay \u003cstrong\u003eand signature\u003c\/strong\u003e present on a 1913 silver carriage clock? It didn't add up. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe did some digging. Turns out all of the \"Shibayama\" jewellery on the marked since 2021\/22 has been made by one guy. The pieces are old, often hallmarked so we can date them as far back as the 1880s, but the bug inlays* are new. *And when I say inlay... they aren't. They gemstones are overlaid - stuck on - to the silver (we knocked one off to see). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelluva story. Now back to this ring: one bug was sacrificed on the alter of truth (\/proof), so we engraved another beetle into the space left by the gem. Signed it LOST OWL and here we are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cem\u003enot Shibayama\u003c\/em\u003e signet ring by Lost Owl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEra: \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eVintage, circa 1970\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRing size: M or 6.25 US\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHead: 11.8mm by 17.5mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 13.5 grams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStones: \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/lostowl.com\/blogs\/gemstones\/pearl\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMother of Pearl\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarks: Stamped MEXICO 925, 925A1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Great vintage condition; wear\/patina to the silver commensurate with age.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lost Vintage","offers":[{"title":"No \/ No","offer_id":52024901337400,"sku":"LO2750b","price":900.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"No \/ Yes","offer_id":52024901370168,"sku":"LO2750bi","price":975.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Yes \/ No","offer_id":52024901402936,"sku":"LO2750br","price":955.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Yes \/ Yes","offer_id":52024901435704,"sku":"LO2750bri","price":1035.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/7387\/2952\/files\/lost-owl-two-bugs-ring-7350827.jpg?v=1775263513","url":"https:\/\/lostowl.com\/products\/lost-owl-two-bugs-ring","provider":"Lost Owl Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}