The intaglio ring is a piece of jewelry that was commonly worn by powerful and successful merchants within the Roman Empire. It featured a distinctive carving which the merchant would use for the authentication of documents through stamping the ring into a seal with hot wax. The popularity of these rings has not subsided over the many centuries since Rome flourished, and today they are considered undervalued, making them excellent for collectors or those looking for an ancient look.

Intaglio Ring Characteristics

While modern replicas exist, the most prized rings are those which were actually manufactured during antiquity. Studying these rings sometimes requires magnification as they will feature small carvings of elephants, fish, and various mythological creatures from the era. Some depict images of reigning monarchs. They are made from materials such as jasper, agate and amethyst. A few rings use the original settings, while other old rings need to be reset.

Intaglio rings from the Roman Empire itself are sought after. These rings were already being collected during ancient times, and as such many have been passed down to us. They were worn by men such as Lorenzo de Medici and Julius Caesar, and they would sometimes embed their name on the gem. They come in a number of different sizes, and when properly cared for can be worn on a daily basis. The ancient rings tended to be manufactured with pure gold and as a result they are softer than their modern counterparts, which use alloys.

How To Wear An Intaglio Ring And Determine Its Authenticity

These rings are ideal as a fabulous signet, and those who wear them often love the status that is associated with wearing a ring which depicts the thunderbolt of Zeus, an image of a god or the shield of Minerva. Designs featuring animals are also a hot item, and it isn’t unusual for them to sell for thousands of dollars at auction, with ancient rings auctioning for tens or even hundreds of thousands.

Due to the age of many of these intaglio rings, authenticity is a major factor when making a purchase. The last thing you want is to spend lots of money on an “ancient” ring which turns out to be a fake. This problem can be solved through analysis by X-ray fluorescence, but a stone can be more challenging. It usually takes an expert to tell the difference between a genuine ancient carving versus a Renaissance and modern variant, which use greater precision.

When shopping for these rings, a general rule of thumb to keep in mind is that authentic ancient stones won’t look as impressive as their modern counterparts but will display seals that are highly intricate. Purchasing a genuine ancient ring is important, as intaglios are investments in the eyes of many, due to their limited availability and the rising prices which are associated with them. When wearing these rings you aren’t just donning jewelry, but are displaying a piece of history.