Kashmir Sapphire Poison Ring

The type of ring that you will simply never see again, rare in so many ways.

This is an early Victorian poison ring, made from gold, circa 1840. Set with a natural unheated Kashmir sapphire in the hinged lid. The body of the container with elegant wirework, to a broad, tapering shank.

Kashmir sapphires are among the rarest and most beautiful gemstones in the world. Mined in a remote and virtually inaccessible part of the Himalayas in the late 19th century, they are considered a collector’s dream. Possessing unique, needle-like inclusions known as silk, Kashmir Sapphires enjoy a velvet and dream-like glow.

A poison ring or pillbox ring is a type of ring with a container under the bezel or inside the bezel itself which could be used to hold poison or another substance; they became popular in Western Europe during the Middle Ages. The poison ring was used either to slip poison into an enemy’s food or drink. A powder or liquid poison was usually stored in these instances. In other cases, the poison ring was used to facilitate the suicide of the wearer in order to preclude capture or torture. The purpose of the compartment in the ring was not only limited to poison, they were used to hold perfume, special items, talismans, keepsakes, small portraits and more.