From the early seventeenth to the end of the nineteenth century, testators left money in their wills to have rings with commemorative inscriptions made and distributed to their friends and families. Simple bands enamelled with the name and life dates of the deceased were frequently made, sometimes set with a gemstone or a bezel set with a rock crystal covering a symbol such as a coffin or initials in gold wire. In the later 18th century, rings followed neo-classical designs, their oval bezels often decorated with the same designs as funerary monuments such as urns, broken pillars and mourning figures. Hair from the deceased was incorporated into the designs or set in a compartment at the back of the ring to give each jewel a uniquely personal element. Black or white enamel were favoured though white enamel was often, though not universally used to commemorate children and unmarried adults. By the end of the 19th century, memorial ring designs were becoming more standardised. The hoops were often inscribed with phrases such as 'In memory' whilst a commemorative inscription could be added to the inside of the hoop. The custom of giving rings as memorials gradually declined in the early 20th century, although the Goldsmiths Journal suggests that some were still being sold in the 1930s.

Although this ring has suffered damage, when new it would have been richly decorated. The bezel is set with cut jet inside a border of gold flowers. The centre holds a panel of plaited hair. Around the outside of the hoop, the phrase 'In memory of' is formed of gold letters against a black enamel ground. The inscription engraved inside the ring tells us that it commemorates James Clarke who died, aged 66, in 1820. Although this is not an unusual name, it is likely to refer to the James Clark who was buried on 18 August, 1820 at Bray, Berkshire at the age of 66.