Antique jewelry glossary

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Puzzle ring

A type of finger ring that is composed of three or up to seven interlocking hoops which form a single hoop when assembled, but when disassembled are very difficult to restore to the original form. Usually there are small bulges along the hoops that further complicate fitting the sections together. In the 17th century some were made as a signet ring with a seal in the bezel, and some were used as a love ring, like a gimmel ring. They were popular, and still are in Turkey. Some were set with gemstones, but those made today are usually inexpensive novelties.

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, autor: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson