In the 1980s, when my sister and I were small, we’d often ride our bikes to the “candy store.” I was (and still am) a junkie for grape-flavored anything . . . Laffy Taffy, Fun-Dip, popsicles, Now & Laters, and the most glamorous candy of all—Ring Pops! They were like giant, edible amethysts :)
With Brexit becoming official on the first of this year, England is considered “outside the EU.” Now import taxes add up to more than 25%, which has put a damper my cross-border jewelry collecting.
Like most people, I didn’t travel in 2020 because of Covid. My travel budget was burning a hole in my pocket—so before Brexit clipped my wings, I went a bit of a bender buying vintage jewels :)
This Art Deco amethyst ring is my favorite of the bunch, and it’s the most ridiculous item in my collection! I thought Little Edie was crazy, but she’s got nothing on this one, which I call my “Ring Pop.”
It’s an original Art Deco amethyst ring from the 1930s. Ladies (or flappers—as I like to imagine) would’ve worn Art Deco amethyst rings like this one over their elbow-length gloves on a night out (in smoky jazz clubs). How very Zelda!
The 11.30-carat amethyst is surrounded by old-cut diamonds in a handmade white and yellow gold setting. Yellow gold is usually a dealbreaker for me, but I made an exception for this piece—because really, how often do you get to buy a grown-up version of your favorite childhood candy?
Being extra, I wore my Art Deco amethyst ring to the grocery store the day I got it. I scratched the amethyst while digging through a markdown bin, and had to send it to a lapidary in London to have the scratch buffed out. I bought some very expensive marked-down bread that day!
Now this fantastic Art Deco amethyst ring mostly lives in my safe-deposit box, only coming out for special occasions.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I’ll earn a commission if you place an order after clicking through to Amazon. I’d totally place an order if they’d ship some of that grape stuff to Denmark!
NiaMia says
That’s gorgeous! I love that you wear your jewelry instead of keeping it hidden away in a jewelry box.
Are there antique jewelry stores in Scandinavia?
Sage says
Thanks :) Wearing these things is a double-edged sword! It doesn’t make sense to lock them away in a safe-deposit box, but in addition to scratching the amethyst, I’ve managed to crack the bands on two different rings, lose a diamond out of another one and a sapphire out of yet another one! I forget that some of these pieces are 100+ years old :(
Unfortunately, Scandinavia isn’t a big jewelry region. In continental Europe, France can good for antique/vintage pieces. I’m also looking to Eastern Europe— but buying from dealers I don’t know might not be a risk I’m willing to take.
Elizabeth Dilly says
oh that beauty makes me so happy! What a fantastic piece! Love this so much!
Sage says
Thanks :)
Ivonne Canales says
What a gorgeous piece. Is “Ring Pop” to be her forever name?
Sage says
Thanks, Ivonne :)
I think so. I like to give them names that suit them, and I can’t think of a more appropriate name for this one (even though it breaks my tradition of naming them after people).
Amber Myers says
This is such a beautiful ring. I just love the color! I might have to get one ;)
Tara Pittman says
That is a pretty ring. I love the purple color. Does it come in a necklace?
Sage says
Considering it’s around 90 years old, I’m inclined to think that it doesn’t.
Terri Steffes says
That’s a lovely ring. I’d like to find a similar one and add it to my Christmas list. I can only hope to look as good when I’m 90 years old. 💜
Richelle Milar says
Wow! That’s a really amazing ring, I love it!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
Oh wow, that’s stunning and so glamorous! Great for nights out in fancy restaurants :)