This ring is a lovely piece - probably given as an engagment ring. The inside of the ring shank is stamped 9ct and Sil. Pearls have historically symbolised purity, rarity value and beauty. Pearls occurring in the wild (sea) are very rare. They are most often cultured, grown or farmed from Pearl oysters, and faux pearls have long been used to imitate the real thing. Indeed, many antique and older vintage faux pearls have a charm and value of their own. Since ancient times, the pearl has been a symbol of unblemished perfection. It is the oldest known gem (pearls are classed as an organic gemstone), and for centuries it was considered the most valuable. A fragment of the oldest known pearl jewellery, found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died in 520 BC, is displayed in the Louvre in Paris. To the ancients, pearls were a symbol of the moon and had magical powers. In classical Rome, only persons above a certain rank were allowed to wear pearl jewellery. The Latin word for pearl literally means 'unique', attesting to the fact that no two pearls are identical. Pearl is the birthstone for June. If you'd like to have this ring resized, please email us at enquiries@violetvintagejewellery.com.