18K Double Mermaid Blue Lapis Intaglio Ring WOMENS SZ 5

This ring hails all the way back to the turn of the century, 1897. It is a women's Heraldic ring of French origin. There are double mermaids on the ring, which in French are called Melusine. This depicts the ancient French fable about Melusine, a girl whose father made an oath not to look in on his wife and daughter while they were bathing. He broke that oath, so Melusine and her mother ran away and their bottom halves turned into two fish tails. The motto, or symbol of mermaids since that time is a woman fleeing a man. It is also known as shape-shifting. Additionally, mermaids are also known as sirens and are associated with lust and the lure of temptation. The Fleur-de-Lis is The French sign for purity, light and life. There are also three stars (mullets) which signify knighthood in Heraldry. The final symbol is a helmet with a necklace referred to mantling which is a decorative element. Putting all these Heraldic elements together, they tell a story. Most likely, a very strong-willed maiden from a French aristocratic family, left her home to be with her love across the sea. He was a knight from another land and their love was forbidden. He was most likely killed in battle since her crown along with a feminine mantling is central. The second mermaid signifies her returning home. The Blue Lapis is of the highest quality with pure gold flecking highly apparent on the surface and throughout the stone. It is hand dated on the inside April 24 1897 making it over 125 years old.