I couldn't tell you why I love this monstrosity but I do- it's enormous, 25 grams and a size 10- gold filled with amber topaz and blue sapphire, freemasons symbol on the shank and a span am cross in the center with a mermaid... cool and unique and I wish I knew the guy who wore this conversation stopper! (Not starter- stopper, without question... this ring is an exclamation point in and of itself....)

Very interesting indeed. Is that an anchor in the eagle's talons? Curious what the words with Cuba and USA are on the cross. Perhaps they could help decode the dual national masonic connection.

Believe it is a Spanish American war veterans medal- here's a picture. The other words are "Philippine Islands" and "Porto Rico" (how they spelled "Puerto Rico" back then...). It is an anchor, and held over the federal shield...I would guess that maybe he was both a Vet and a Freemason?

Ahhh. Makes sense.Thanks for the great picture. It is a very cool custom made ring.

It sold on eBay last night for $165

I have this identical ring. Love it because I was a 10 year Navyman, love the Philippines (battle of Manila Bay etc.) and topaz is my birthstone.

Very cool ring!
Have seen pics still some time ago and i liked it real.

A really unusual piece with a lot of history behind it! The example I got was from a dealer out West who got it from the granddaughter of the proud Navy vet who owned it. He's going to get me the provenance; I'm eager to see what his participation in that war was. Wouldn't it be cool if he had been with Dewey at Manila Bay?

Hey Julian, thanks for the pics- is it the same one we saw on eBay? Seller was from Montana I think.. we would love to see more pics of it... I can't imagine there's many of these! Very cool, thanks for sharing it!!

Here's another pic. Montana, yes; and I think it must be a custom piece, for how many navy vets were Masons? It's going in my Naval display although since it's my size and topaz is my birthstone I'll likely wear it for special occasions.

By the way, Mike, I just bought a nice medal like that on eBay and will display it under glass, together with a USS Olympia token made of bronze from one of her screws, the background being a period painting of the battle of Manila Bay. The ring will be displayed in its box just below the frame.

Outstanding!

Here's an original vet's medal - and the Olympia coin made from one of her screws - displayed against that copy of the painting.

That's really a great grouping!

I remember I did promise a better pic, but I gently hit the ring with some foam polish first.