vintage Large SOLID Silver Paua Shell cocktail ring

vintage Large SOLID Silver Paua Shell cocktail ring STUNNING ring! In the light, the Paua shell’s iridescence shimmers! Even without the shimmer, the ring’s long narrow marquise shape and tri-split band is very flattering on any finger! The cabochon draws the eye but when you look closer there are a lot of rustic, industrial, minimalist details: the crenellation “prongs”, the hash markings on the gallery, the overall finish of the silver looks real (not uber shiny like rhodium plating). It has a real weight to it that is solid, cool, and textured. “Paua is thought to bring connectivity and harmony to relationships, and are also a symbol of change and transition, based on the way the shell reflects light.” 23x6 mm cabochon, 30x10 mm frame 3 mm thick gallery (line or tree bark texture), 2 mm setting (toothed); up to 1 mm thick, and up to 2 mm deep underneath 4-9 mm thick band, 1 mm thick NEW. Vintage c. 1970s-1980s. Was tarnished. used toothpaste. 🪥 Visible hallmark but I can’t quite make it out: “AUB?”. I tried it on (because it’s gorgeous!) Never Worn. Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series was filmed in New Zealand. The marquise shape of the cabochon looks like (a blue Paua) Eye of Sauron! Paua shell is from the area!