The art of glyptics, or carving on colored precious stones, is probably one of the oldest known to humanity. Intaglios, gems with an incised design, were made as early as the fourth and third millennia B.C. in Mesopotamia and the Aegean Islands. They display a virtuosity of execution that suggests an old and stable tradition rooted in the earliest centuries. The tools required for carving gems were simple: a wheel with a belt-drive and a set of drills. Abrasives were necessary since the minerals used were too hard for a metal edge. A special difficulty of engraving intaglios, aside from their miniature size, was that the master had to work with a mirror image in mind. The 18th Century saw a renewal of interest in intaglio jewelry, due to the increase in number of collectors with classical leanings, and to the style of the times, which adored flamboyant clothes and beautiful ornamentation. The engravers not only studied ancient glyptics, but also turned to sculpture and other art forms for inspiration. Images of deities and royalty were popular especially when they were as lovely as the portrait of this queen. She may be Berenice, the wife of Ptolemy I, ruler of Egypt (305-283 B.C.) or perhaps her daughter Arsinoe. Both women were famous for their beauty and strong character. The new owner of this ring can wear it with pride, knowing a tradition of art and style is being carried on that has graced the courts of Europe for centuries.