Anti-Tarnish Coiled Serpent Wrap Statement Ring

A serpent winds around the finger several times, its body worked in fine overlapping scales from the raised head to the tapering tail that curls away at the far side. It covers a long stretch of the finger and it is, without question, the boldest piece in this collection.

The Oldest Jewellery Motif

Coiled serpent rings have been made more or less continuously for two thousand years, from Roman gold through Victorian mourning jewellery to the present day, and they have always meant the same cluster of things — renewal, protection, the shedding of an old self. The multi-coil form is the oldest version of all, because a snake wrapping a finger is the most natural thing for a snake-shaped piece of metal to do.

Design Details

Every coil carries individually worked scales, overlapping in rows that follow the curve of the body and shrink in size towards the tail. That scaling is what separates a serious serpent ring from a plain twisted band, and it is also what makes the piece shimmer in broken light rather than reflecting in flat sheets. The head is modelled and raised, with a smooth rounded crown and no sharp features. Between the coils the gaps are even, so the wrap looks controlled rather than tangled. The body is slim, so despite covering so much of the finger the ring weighs around four grams.

How to Style It

Wear it alone, on the index or middle finger, with the hand otherwise bare and the wrist clear. It is an evening and party piece with an edge to it, and it works especially well against black, deep green and burgundy. It also makes a striking counterpoint to very traditional dressing, where its mood is quite different from the rest of the jewellery.

Why the Anti-Tarnish Finish Matters

Scales are hundreds of tiny overlapping edges with a shadowed hollow under each one, repeated along several coils. This is the most detailed surface in the range and the most vulnerable to dulling, and once the hollows darken the scales merge and the serpent becomes a rough twisted rope. The stainless steel core and anti-tarnish gold plating used here are what keep each scale defined.

Comfort and Fit

The coiled construction is naturally adjustable, settling on most finger sizes as the coils flex slightly. Put it on by sliding it down the finger with a gentle turning motion rather than pushing it straight on, which is easier on both the ring and the knuckle.

Caring for It

Use a dry soft brush along the scales, following the direction they lie in. Put the ring on after perfume and hand cream. Store it in its pouch so the coils are not knocked out of alignment, and remove it before swimming, bathing and any heavy work with the hands.

Product Details

Type: Multi-coil serpent statement finger ring. Metal: Stainless steel. Finish: Anti-tarnish gold plating with worked scale detail. Stone: None. Approximate weight: 4 grams. Fit: Adjustable coil. Available in a classic gold tone.