An unusual and striking ring from the late 20th century, formed of a natural wood band set with six faceted tourmalines in 22ct gold settings. The combination of materials is genuinely rare in fine jewellery — wood and gold occupy very different registers, the organic warmth and grain of the wood providing a natural counterpoint to the richness of the 22ct gold, which at this purity is notably warmer and more deeply coloured than the 18ct gold used in most fine jewellery. The result is a ring that is bold in scale — 3cm in diameter — but grounded in natural materials rather than the conventional vocabulary of precious metals and stones.

Tourmaline, set here in six faceted stones around the band, is one of the most colour-varied of all gemstones, occurring across a spectrum from deep green through pink, red, blue, and near-colourless. The faceted stones catch the light against the matte surface of the wood, the contrast of the two textures — polished stone and natural grain — as much a part of the design as the contrast of the materials themselves.

Ring size P (UK); diameter 3cm.

The Details

• Circa: Late 20th century
• Diameter: 3cm
• Ring size: P (UK)
• Stones: Six faceted tourmalines in 22ct gold settings
• Materials: Natural wood, 22ct gold, tourmaline