300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction
However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Each was discovered by a man with a metal detector hunting for treasure in different locations across England, but not all found buyers at auction.
One highlight of Wednesday’s sale was a 300-year-old ring with ties to a witch trial judge, discovered by Steve Pulley in January 2020.
The piece turned out to be one of several memorial rings commissioned following the death of Sir Richard Rainsford, a judge who presided over some of the last witch trials held in England.

The gold band has a skull and crossbones on the exterior. Rainsford’s initials and the date of his death are inscribed on the inside of the ring.
The inscription reads: “Richard Rainsford, Mile Nuper Cap Just De Banco Regis Obitus 17 Feb 80 Æt 76,” which translates to “Richard Rainsford, Knight, lately Chief Justice of the Court of the King’s Bench, Died 17th February 1680 aged 76.”
The ring was expected to sell for £6,000 to £8,000 ($7,600 to $10,100), but nobody bought it.
However, two medieval jewels up for sale did find buyers, including a bishop’s sapphire ring.

Metal detectorist Mark Sell came across the ring in November 2019. It is believed to date back to the late 12th to early 13th century.
“This form of medieval ring, with a principal cabochon stone, usually a sapphire, surrounded by smaller collet-set satellite stones (garnets or rubies, and emeralds), can be securely dated to the late 12th or early 13th century, and is associated with the bishopric,” said Laura Smith, jewelry expert at Noonans.
The ring features a hexagon-shaped cabochon sapphire as its center stone in a closed-back collet setting, surrounded by four smaller cabochon emeralds and garnets, with a flat, narrow band.
It sold for £19,000 ($24,500), slightly above its pre-sale estimate of £15,000 to £18,000 ($19,400 to $23,300).
Also up for sale at the Noonans auction was a gold posy ring dating from the 13th to 14th century and discovered by metal detectorist Richard Girling in March 2024.

“This is one of my best artifact finds. I have found coins in the past, and it is nice to have something in your hand that hasn’t been touched for hundreds of years and imagine what were the people like, why were they there,” Girling said.
Smith, Noonans’ jewelry expert, shared the history of the posy ring.
“Romance and jewelry have always been closely entwined, and during the medieval period it became popular to inscribe a short love message or ‘posy’ on a gold ring to be given to your beloved,” she said.
“The intimacy is enhanced by the fact the message is worn right next to the skin and is really just for the wearer to behold.”
On the exterior of this ring in a mix of Roman and Lombardic letters, is an inscription that reads, “+IO.VVS.AIM.PAR.FEI,” which translates from medieval French as ‘“I love you by faith” or “I love you faithfully.”
The ring sold for £11,000 ($14,200), above its pre-sale estimate of £6,000 to £8,000 ($7,700 to $10,300).
The Latest

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.


Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

The announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.

LVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.

The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

The organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.

An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.

The collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.

Mari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.

GIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.

Two experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.

Kentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.

“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.