A specimen of this type of ring is given in the privately-printed catalogue of Lady Londesborough’s collection (London, 1853, p. 17). This is described as “a triple gimmal, the first and third circlet having each a hand, so that, when joined, the two hands are clasped together and serve to conceal two united hearts on the third ring. Of German workmanship.” It was customary to separate the conjoined rings at the betrothal ceremony and to give the upper and lower to each of the betrothed, respectively, while the middle ring was given to an intimate friend of the lady. When the marriage was solemnized, the rings were reunited and bestowed upon the bride. As a general rule all rings bearing clasped hands were termed gimmal rings, although the designation properly belonged to two or more separate rings joined together. [Illustration: Ring with pointed diamond used for writing on glass Fairholt’s “Rambles of an Artist”] [Illustration: Massive gold Gallo-Roman ring. Found near Mulsanne, dept. Sarthe, France, about 1850. Believed to be a wedding ring; five views. Fifth Century. See page 202 Abbe Barraud, “Des Bagues de Toutes les Epoques,” Paris, 1864] [Illustration: Rings of Mary Stuart. 1, signet ring; 2, wedding ring of Mary and Darnley, with date of marriage, 1565; two views Fairholt’s “Rambles of an Artist”] [Illustration: Gold betrothal ring, bezel in form of clasped hands, hoop shaped as two amoretti. Sixteenth Century British Museum] [Illustration: Hebrew wedding ring. Adam and Eve in Paradise Wedding ring of Martin Luther, two views. Original had a small ruby in the centre Fairholt’s “Rambles of an Artist”] [Illustration: Wedding ring of gimmal type. German, Sixteenth Century. Set with a ruby and an aquamarine. Inscription visible when ring is separated: _Quod Deus conjunxit homo non separet_ (Let man not separate what God hath joined together). The betrothal or wedding ring of Sir Thomas Gresham (1519–1579) is of similar design British Museum] The following lines from Don Sebastian, a play written by Dryden (1690), explains quite fully the character and use of a gimmal ring: A curious artist wrought ’em With joynts so close as not to be perceiv’d; Yet are they both each other’s counterpart. (Her part had Juan inscrib’d, and his had Zayda, You know these names were theirs:) and in the midst A heart divided in two halves was plac’d. Now if the rivets of those Rings inclos’d Fit not each other, I have forg’d this lye: But if they join, you must for ever part.