Fede ring; Gimmel ring

A gold fede-ring and 'gimmel' ring combined, comprising three interlocking, twisted hoops; the outer pair terminating in clasped hands to form the bezel. The third hoop has a concealed bezel in the shape of a double heart. The hands terminate in cuffs which extend to the shoulders, and these are set with a row of rose-cut diamonds in raised collets (some missing). The fede motif (two clasped hands joined at the bezel) represents the joining of hands of the couple at a marriage ceremony, a practice dating back to ancient Rome known as 'dextrarum iunctio'. A gimmel ring takes its names from the Latin 'gemellus', meaning 'twin' with mostly two, and occasionally three (as here) interlocking hoops. Traditionally, the betrothed couple would receive one of these hoops, which were reunited at the wedding ceremony to confirm that each party gave their consent to proceed with the marriage.