Leland retailer Blue Ring, Size 6, Sterling Silver

This is a lovely soft turquoise Leland Blue 16 x 12 mm stone set in a Sterling silver ring with retailer a split-shank with an attractive teardrop loop accent.

Leland Blue is not a natural stone but rather a byproduct of smelting iron ore in the late 1800s. This process produced pig iron, the first step in making steel and an unwanted foundry glass. Most of the foundry glass was dumped “wherever” as people weren't environmentally sensitive in those times. The glass is non-toxic and was most often green or black. Blue glass was a rare outcome and now is sought after by jewelers in northern Michigan as they have discovered what lovely jewelry they can create with it.