Vintage Turquoise Harem Ring

This beautiful four-layered 18K gold and turquoise stacking ring ring dates to the mid-20th century. 

Commonly referred to as a “harem ring”, this design originated in Turkey where these multi-band rings were made to be given to brides and the ladies of the harem. The trend took off in Victorian England towards the end of the 19th century, and the design has remained popular ever since. The term “harem ring” is an example of Victorian England’s fascination with the romance of the Islamic world initially spurred by the French conquest of Algiers in 1830 and later fuelled by the English translation of ‘A Thousand and One Nights’ by Edward William Lane in 1838.

The ring is comprised of four bands connected by a hinge at the back which binds them together, and allows them to spread apart subtly on the finger giving the appearance of four separate stacked rings, each set with small turquoise cabochons. It is fashioned in gold and features French hallmarks for 18K gold on the back of each and every hoop. 

UK ring size T, US size 9.5

The ring weighs 5.97 grams. Each row of turquoise measures 18mm x 2mm.