Mosaic Inlay Ring Appraisal

Vintage Mosaic Inlay Split-Shank Ring with Turquoise and Red Stone

This item is a vintage-style ring featuring an elongated oval-shaped bezel setting. The setting is filled with mosaic-style inlay, comprised of crushed stones. The top portion of the inlay predominantly features small, irregularly shaped pieces of a vibrant blue-green material, typical of turquoise. The bottom section of the inlay is filled with similarly proportioned pieces of a reddish-brown material, likely spiny oyster or coral. A distinct silver-toned zigzag line separates the turquoise and reddish-brown sections, adding a dynamic design element to the inlay. The bezel itself appears to be made of a silver-toned metal, possibly sterling silver or a silver alloy, showing signs of natural tarnishing and patina consistent with age and exposure. The ring's band or shank splits into two narrower bands on each side as it approaches the head, creating an openwork or split-shank design, which adds to its decorative appeal and potentially reduces the overall weight. These split bands connect further down to form the main ring shank. The visible condition suggests some wear, with minor abrasions to the metal and potentially some slight unevenness in the stone inlay, which is typical for mosaic pieces. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures in the provided image. The style, particularly the use of mosaic inlay and the split-shank design, points towards a Native American or Southwestern folk art influence, likely dating from the mid to late 20th century. The craftsmanship, while appearing handmade, is of good quality, with the stones well-set within the bezel. The overall impression is that of a well-preserved, authentic piece of vintage jewelry.