Vintage Uncas Glass Gemstone Ring

[Erik in NJ]

Didn’t realize what I had till I got home and cleaned it. Beautifully crafted vintage raised emerald-cut aquamarine glass gemstone with two raised (I assume) rhinestones set in Sterling silver. The Makers Mark is a U with a left-facing arrow through it which I learned is Uncas. The Uncas Mfg. Company began operations in 1911 in Providence Rhode Island. Based on the design and dates of coins unearthed nearby I’m guessing this lovely ring was manufactured ca 1930s. I’m impressed with the level of care that went into its design by allowing light to come up through the stones.

Was not having a great hunt and before I got home I had made the foolish assumption that this was simply a toy out of a gum ball machine. So I was amazed when I saw STERLING on the band.

 

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[Wildcat1750]

Beautiful ring! I've found a few Uncas Kiddie Gem rings at an old home site and I love the style.

 

[JeffInMass]

Sweet ring- Congrats!

 

[treblehunter]

Nice find Eric, I have found a few Uncas rings at my lake sites. I read somewhere that those Kiddiegem rings that wildcat was talking about were at a lot of carnivals, they had those vending machines with the grab crane so kids could try and win them. I have found some dirt fishing also, a couple of my field sites were sites in the 40's, maybe the 30's where a circus used to set up.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Nice surprise when you got home! Congratulations. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Red-Coat]

Nice find Eric, I have found a few Uncas rings at my lake sites. I read somewhere that those Kiddiegem rings that wildcat was talking about were at a lot of carnivals, they had those vending machines with the grab crane so kids could try and win them. I have found some dirt fishing also, a couple of my field sites were sites in the 40's, maybe the 30's where a circus used to set up.

Someone else posted a 'Kiddiegem' ring very recently and I made a couple of comments. They were indeed used as carnival prizes in things like 'penny crane' machines. Also sold with simulated birthstones for juniors to give to their 'sweethearts'. Uncas first used the trademark in late 1934 and it expired in 1996.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks, but this is not a Kiddiegem ring. They also made high-quality costume jewelry and this can be seen by the effort to raise the stones and the window under the main stone. The band is stamped STERLING with the arrow-U maker's mark. I wasn't insinuating that this ring had an expensive stone (it's probably glass), but this was not a 50 cent "carnival prize"--it's in the costume jewelry category. Thanks for posting the ad.

 

[WaterScoop]

Here is a nice read on Uncas Mfg.



https://danielleoliviatefftwrites.c...-popular-uncas-rings-and-some-company-history

 

[Erik in NJ]

Thanks WaterScoop! I did come across her blog and it's very well done. I'm going to email her some pics of the ring to garner some more information on age etc.

Here is a nice read on Uncas Mfg.


View attachment 1867980
https://danielleoliviatefftwrites.c...-popular-uncas-rings-and-some-company-history

 

[Red-Coat]

Thanks, but this is not a Kiddiegem ring. They also made high-quality costume jewelry and this can be seen by the effort to raise the stones and the window under the main stone. The band is stamped STERLING with the arrow-U maker's mark. I wasn't insinuating that this ring had an expensive stone (it's probably glass), but this was not a 50 cent "carnival prize"--it's in the costume jewelry category. Thanks for posting the ad.

Sorry... wasn't suggesting that yours was 'Kiddiegem'. Just responding to 'treblehunter's' question about such rings, which were also made by Uncas using that specific trademark.