This antique, Edwardian gold ring dates to Chester, England, 1909. It was likely made in memory of someone who passed away and as such is known as a mourning ring. This particular style of ring was commissioned to be made to hold a lock of the loved one's hair that would run around the gold band, beneath the square gold sections that would keep it in place so that a piece of them could be kept near at all times - how sweet and such a beautiful, wearable piece of history!
 
This ring looks to have once hold a lock of hair which has since been removed at some point in time. The inside of the ring, and the shield plaque to the front have both not been engraved, something that was often done to show the initials, name, date of birth, date of death, age etc, so sadly we don't know much about the ring's history. 
 
As well as the shield plaque to the front, the ring's shank has five rectangular pieces of gold that each have lovely engraving. The band underneath has space for where the lock of hair would sit. 
 
The ring is made of 9ct gold with a lovely warm rose tone to it. Inside the shank are British hallmarks for the maker 'WGM', 9ct gold, Chester and the date letter 'j' for 1909. 
 
Ring size - approx a US 8  / approx a UK Q (Please note that the ring cannot be resized)
 
The ring weighs approx 1.8g and the plaque to the front measures approx 9.4mm tall by approx 8.2mm wide. The ring's shank is approx 5mm wide.

Condition - The ring is in good antique condition to say it is approx 113 years old but does show signs of age and wear, including surface wear to the gold throughout. There are marks to the gold shield at the front and the shank has marks where the hair would have once sat. Please see photos.

*Please note the antique box pictured is not included in the sale but the ring will be shipped in a new presentation ring box and pouch*