THE USE OF baby teeth (or "milk teeth") in jewelry was briefly popular in the late 19th and very early 20th centuries. The people of this time were a sentimental and not-too-squeamish bunch; they often commissioned jewelry made from these tiny treasures. It commemorated a landmark moment - the loss of one's baby teeth meant your kid had survived early childhood (before antibiotics!) Here, four pearly whites are arranged in a weird up/down configuration. The French hallmark for 18k gold appears on the band.
MATERIALS: 18k gold (marked), 4 baby teeth
AGE: c. 1900
CONDITION: Very good - minor surface wear commensurate with age and use; one tooth has a hairline crack but is secure in its setting; French hallmark
SIZE: 6.75, can be slightly resized; 5mm head, 1.8mm shank