Gutta percha POW ring?

[gormer]

Hi there! Recent acquisition that just exactly fits my wedding finger - delighted! I know enough about jewelry to know that the style is period-correct and old, but I was wondering . . . it was sold as a peach pit ring, but I was thinking it looked more like gutta percha (all black, some carve marks inside). It doesn't have any provenance, but is this the kind of thing Confederate prisoners were making in camps up North? I think I read that they melted down buttons and silver coins and such to make jewelry for bartering and sending home, yes?

I found this online (looks similar): https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/confederate-pow-gutta-percha-ring-252827096

Either way it's a cool ring, but if I might have scored a Civil War POW ring to replace my wedding band for special occasions, I'm pretty stoked.

 

[major bill]

I like it. Sadly I know nothing about these.

 

[1867crete]

Wow love it! I'm very interested in learning more!

 

[Mild53]

Very cool find, congrats. Sure looks like the ring on worthpoint.

 

[lelliott19]

Hi there! Recent acquisition that just exactly fits my wedding finger - delighted! I know enough about jewelry to know that the style is period-correct and old. Either way it's a cool ring, but if I might have scored a Civil War POW ring to replace my wedding band for special occasions, I'm pretty stoked.

That is awesome @gormer Congratulations on such a fantastic find!

 

[gormer]

Did a little more hunting today: https://johnsonsisland.heidelberg.edu/research_archives_Photogallery1.html

The hands/heart motif was apparently popular at Johnson's Island. Now that is pretty dang cool.

 

[1867crete]

Hum very interesting. I am curious as the significance of the hand pointing to the heart? Only at Johnson's island? Or other locations? Again stellar find! Congratulations!

 

[JOHN42768]

Really nice

 

[ikesdad]

A variation of a Claddagh ring.

 

[mofederal]

it is very interesting. I wonder if it is some sort of mourning ring. I have no idea, but since the link is to a similar ring and a deceased soldier, I wonder.