Vintage Shibayama Bugs Ring vintage which allowed him to 'grow'

which allowed him to 'grow' red corundum crystals (rubies) by passing powdered 'ingredients' (alumina and chromium oxide) through an ultra hot oxyhydrogen flame

Utilising a variety of materials of varying colours and textures - from mother-of-pearl to horn to stained ivory to coral - he would inlay small

It's 35 inches in length

so this wax imprint would have been used to give the recipient a head's up on the letter's tragic content

Vintage Shibayama Bugs Ring vintage which allowed him to 'grow'A rare vintage shibayama signet ring dating from the 1960s. Three bugs rest on the octagonal face, their head and bodies formed from carved gemstones set in high relief, and legs deftly engraved into the silver. The Shibayama () technique was created by noki Senz, an Edo haberdasher who lived during the 18th century. Utilising a variety of materials of varying colours and textures from mother of pearl to horn to stained ivory to coral he would inlay