Retro Esemco 10k Yellow Gold, Opal, and Synthetic Ruby Three Stone Ring

The Retro jewelry period, spanning approximately the 1930s through the 1950s, emerged during a time of profound cultural change. Influenced by the glamour of Hollywood, the streamlined geometry of Art Deco, and the resourcefulness of the wartime years, jewelry designers created pieces that were both striking and wearable. Yellow gold became especially beloved for its rich, warm glow, while colorful gemstones brought optimism and personality to everyday adornment.

At the heart of this ring is the opal, treasured for centuries for its mysterious play of color and its ability to transform with the light. Complementing its luminous beauty are synthetic rubies, prized for their vivid crimson hue. Synthetic gemstones became increasingly significant during the twentieth century, offering the brilliance and color of precious stones through advances in laboratory-grown crystal technology. 

The ESEMCO name carries its own chapter of American jewelry history. Associated with Shiman-Miller Manufacturing Company, founded in New York in 1905 by Abraham Shiman and Simon Miller, the trademark became known for American-made gold jewelry. The company later operated as Shiman Manufacturing, producing a variety of jewelry designs that reflected the changing tastes of the early and mid-twentieth century. Its pieces ranged from delicate filigree creations to bold rings and gemstone-set treasures, making ESEMCO a recognizable name among vintage jewelry collectors today.

A beautiful example of ESEMCO’s place in American jewelry-making history, this vintage treasure carries nearly a century of style and character, a timeless keepsake ready to begin its next chapter.

• Circa 1940

• Effaced karat purity stamp with Esemco maker's mark, tests 10k yellow gold

• One round cabochon opal weighing approximately 0.30 carat, accented by two synthetic rubies weighing approximately 0.10 carat total weight 

• Size 7 ¼, resizable 

• Estimated gross weight: 2.6 grams

• Good vintage condition, wear in the form of minor scratches, light wear on gemstone facets, one minor chip on opal, visible patina, and wear appropriate with age.