A delicate ancient Roman ring featuring a garnet stone set in an oval bezel upon a square gold frame on a round wire-like hoop. The bezel is further embellished with delicate gold granules around the perimeter of the gemstone. The perforations at the corners of the gold frame suggest the piece would likely have originally been an appliqué, then adapted into this ring later in antiquity. Some earthly encrustations remain. As in many ancient societies, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth in Ancient Rome. Following the spread of the Roman Empire, Roman jewellery became more and more elaborate in the designs and in the materials used, such as precious and semi-precious gemstones. Roman jewellery reflected the culture the Romans entered in contact with, and testified the prosperity and the power of the Roman Empire. Rings were the most popular pieces of Roman jewellery, usually embellished with fine carving. Measurements: Internal diameter circa 1.6 cm Closest UK ring size J Weight: 1.08g Provenance: Ex Japanese gentleman (deceased) collection, 1970 - 2010.