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When quartz forms as a mass of microscopically small crystals it is known as ‘microcrystalline quartz’ or ‘cryptocrystalline quartz’. This family includes all varieties of chalcedony such as agate, carnelian and sard. Opaque, granular microcrystalline quartz is known as jasper. Chalcedonies and jaspers occur in a huge variety of colours, created by small amounts of impurities such as iron, manganese and chrome. Jasper consists of a mass of tiny interlocking quartz crystals. It is opaque and contains large amounts of colourful impurities. These are mainly red and yellow iron oxides or green chlorite and actinolite. Because of this range of colours, jasper is used for carvings and in mosaics and inlays.
The image of a satyr and goat on this ring is intaglio. This is a technique in which the design is cut or engraved into the surface and lies below it. The jasper intaglio is Roman, although the setting is probably 19th century.
This ring forms part of a collection of 154 gems bequeathed to the V&A by the Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend, a cleric and poet. Sir A. H. Church gave additional specimens in 1913. He also compiled the first catalogue Precious Stones: A Guide to the Townshend Collection. The first edition appeared in 1883. The stones are mounted as rings, although they may not have been intended to be worn.

Details

  • Title: Ring
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: 1800/1869
  • Location: Europe
  • Physical Dimensions: Length: 2 cm bezel
  • Provenance: Bequeathed by the Rev. Chauncy Hare Townshend
  • Medium: Jasper intaglio, set in gold

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