Vintage Art Nouveau 14k gold Akoya pearl oyster shell ring

Title: Vintage Art Nouveau style handmade 14k gold and Akoya pearl figural oyster shell ring
c. 1950
Size: 6.5
Description: A striking and unusual Art Nouveau-inspired ring from the mid-century era. A gold, sculptural, handmade oyster shell with interior Florentine finish, and a focal Akoya cultured saltwater pearl are set asymmetrically amidst gentle carved waves.
Pearl dimensions: 6mm W in diameter
Ring weight: 3.96g
Ring/band width (N/S): ~14mm at widest (center front), 1.9mm at narrowest (center back)
Ring depth (max height atop the finger): 6.5mm
Hallmarks: "14k" and "BULLARD", most likely for Bullard Brothers (St. Paul MN, 1885-1970)
Other notes: Handmade; Florentine finish inside the shell surrounding the pearl; Akoya pearls are saltwater cultured pearls from the akoya oyster (most often found in Japan) -- favored for their gorgeous luster and evenly-rounded shape

As with all vintage and antique pieces, which are previously worn and loved, this piece's current condition is commensurate with age and wear throughout its life up until this point. Please review all item details and photos carefully and ask any questions you may have prior to purchasing.

As a general rule of thumb, it is best to wear and handle vintage and antique jewelry with care, i.e., do not shower or swim with them, wear them during physically laborious activities such as gardening, exercise, baking, chores, etc. We would also recommend you skip donning your favorite vintage and antique pieces if you'll be working with paint, bleach, chlorine, sulfur, or other potentially hazardous or abrasive chemicals or cleaners. This is not to say that every vintage and antique piece is too fragile to withstand normal daily wear, (they are not -- please don't be afraid to wear them!) but it is to remind you that each piece has traveled its own unique journey by the time it reaches us, and while we disclose their current condition, we cannot guarantee how much "mileage" any given piece has left before it might require a "tune up", so to speak.