Vintage Silver and Imitation Turquoise Hubbell Glass Ring

Silver Hubbell Glass Ring
- unmarked/unsigned
- silver has not been tested for purity, but is likely a lower grade of around 800
- this very unique old ring features a large 18mm x 13.5mm oval cabochon of an old form of turquoise imitation called Hubbell glass
- HISTORY: at the turn of the twentieth century, Czech bead makers were exporting glass beads to a worldwide market. Beads imported to Southwestern America were shaped and coloured to resemble the turquoise and coral used in Native American jewelry. Lorenzo Hubbell, owner of Hubbell Trading Post, is associated with these faux turquoise beads, as it is he who allegedly commissioned them for his jewellery. Unfortunately this claim is unfounded and he was just a purchaser of these fine Czech beads. Since the traders often supplied the Native artists with the materials for jewelry sold at the trading posts, the traders looked for ways to lower the costs of producing enough jewelry to meet the market demand. They found a way through the import of Czech glass bead imitations instead of mined turquoise. Hubbell beads are prized collectors’ items, and Lorenzo Hubbell’s name has become synonymous with any glass bead which resembles turquoise.
- face of the ring is 2.13cm long with a rise of 1cm off finger
- appliqué shoulders taper to a 2.2mm wide band at back
- size 7
- glass cabochon is in great shape with no signs of wear
- silver is tarnished on the underside of the setting and band shows some marks from previous wear
- box pictured is not included with purchase