The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-05-02
Finger Rings.

sRings," said q Maiden Lane jewelers
to New York Mall and Express reporter
recently, do not change materially in
style at this season of the year. The
new designs come in about midsummer
The United States in general and New
York City in particular, are specially
noted for the excellent quality Of rings
now manufactured. This high position
has only been obtained by diligent res
search and study. The jewelry manu-
tactured in France is very Light, neat
and pretty, but the fact that Partisan
jewellers are required by law TO make
nothing less than eighteen carats fine is
responsible for the tlimsiness of the
work turned out. The English jeweler,
on the other hand, works in fashion
Numerically opposed to that of his !.
French brother, using the heavy, bulky;
patterns. The more gold is utilized, theS
more favor it finds in the sight of tina !;
English public. The new York maker
has profted by the faults, if faults they &
may be termed, of both the English and
French workmen, by adopting happy
medium, in manufacturing rings in such
q manner as to not make use of such q
large quantity of gold, and bp so doing
he is enabled to give the stone with
which the ring is garnished, q finer set
ting, thereby making it, instead of the
metal, the principal object to be desired.
The manufacturer who uses only suffi-
cient quantity of gold, enough to secure
the safety of the stone, finds his goods
more in demand than those who adopt
either the French or English fashion.
The styles of rings have changed won
derfuIly during the last few years.
Formerly corals, canoes and garnets
found favor with the fair sex, but noya-I
days diamonds are the most popular
stones with fashionable people. Many
rings are made of combination OF
rubies and diamonds, while turquoise
and opal ,lre in general use. Opal was
considered up to few years ago sign
of i'll omen, except for persons born
during the month of October but re-t
action has set in, and it is steadily gain &
ing in favor. The designs worn now are !;
often original with the wearer, and any
one can have ring manufactured, no 3
matter how peculiar or intricate the'd de1
sign, providing he is willing to pay for
his originality, which often comes high. :
The most popular ring for gentlemsn
is the initial, the top of which is usually
made of black onyx, the letter being
fastened securely to it, and is oftentirnes
thickly studded with rose diamonds. :
These rings are now made as cheaply as
the ordinary cameo, and have altogether
taken the place of that once fashionable y
stone. Ladies' low-priced rings are
generally combinations of garnets and
pearls, turquoise and rose diamonds; all {,
prettiIy shaded. Moonstone, now com +,
ing into prominence, is higher priced
article. The United States use FIVE
eighths of the diamond product OF the
world. The best stones aud the most
artistic lapidary work are in constant
demand, no other description finding
sale. Sapphire is already fashionable,
and promises not to decrease in public
favor. There are pink, yellow, green as 3
we'll as blue sapphires, each of which has
its admirers, and all of which are gain
ing in popularity.