Beaded Amethyst Ring

An oval amethyst cabochon flanked by three silver beads on either side, set on a wide plain band, this First Design Period ring balances a single rich stone against restrained silver. The trios of beads are the only ornament, framing the amethyst without crowding it.

The applied beads are a signature workshop element, the small silver balls the early shop formed by melting cut rings of wire (Morrill, Mexican Silver, 1994, p. 39). Using them as a measured frame around the stone is a characteristic Spratling move, decoration kept deliberately spare.

The wide plain band gives the ring weight and a modern, architectural simplicity, letting the cabochon and beads carry all the interest. The whole was hand-wrought in the early manner (Morrill, p. 36).

A cabochon amethyst ring with bead detailing is a clean, recognizable example of Spratling's First Period stone-set jewelry. Rings of this kind remain a collectible and relatively accessible part of his documented output.