Antique Ruby & Pearl Cluster Ring

A cluster of gems in light rose gold-coloured coronet design centring on a natural pearl within a star-shaped claw setting surrounded by claw-set antique Burmese rubies joined with uniform plain polished shoulders.

Although made in India, this article shows strong European influence in its design. The open claw setting is a technique which came to India from Europe. After the mid-nineteenth century, the star motif comes to be a regular feature of goldsmiths’ work, forming the centres of brooches, pendants and rings. As this example attests, the design often employed contrasting colours between the gemstone set in the heart of the star and the complimentary gems surrounding it.