This is a fine example of a 19th century Mourning Ring. A now unusual and rarely seen piece of jewellery which back in the 17th, 18th and 19th century were much more commonly found.
A mourning ring would be worn in memory of a loved one that had passed and would often have their name or a motto displayed. If it could be afforded they would usually bare a black stone of Jet, otherwise the cheaper options of enamel or vulcanite could be used. If the loss was of a child then it was common to use white enamel instead for clarity.
The use of mourning rings dates back as far as the 14th century but it was not until the 17th century a clear name for the ring arrived. In the 18th century jewellers were even advertising mourning rings with a clear style having one small single stone and the details of the decedent recorded in enamel on the hoop.
In the latter 19th century the style shifted to a mass production of mourning rings which now had a photograph of the decedent on display rather than a stone. Towards the end of the 19th century the use of mourning rings largely ceased and only had a short stint of popularity again in the United States over the 1930’s and 1940’s.
