Vintage 1960’s Genuine Judith MC Cann black Onyx gemstone Gold Filled  Ring. Adjustable . Very beautiful ring. Comes in box and would make a lovely gift for that special someone.

Who Was Judith McCann?

Judith McCann, an artist and designer, first decided to reinvent the earring when a friend presented her with some loose stones. She explained, in her own words, in an interview in 1946:

“All I wanted at the time was a pair of earring backs that would hold – with no pain or nosedives under the table – two unset aquamarine stones as big as hickory nuts”

This wasn’t just a dream on her part. McCann had the skills to succeed. Born in Trenton, Tennessee, she earned a degree from the School of Fine Arts at George Washington University in St. Louis. After college McCann became a fashion coordinator with the G. Fox & Co. department store in Hartford Connecticut. From there McCann moved to New York City and worked as fabrics editor for the Simplicity Pattern Company from 1941 to 1943.

After hours McCann was creating art using wire on canvas, and wire was just the thing she needed for her earring design. Working from home and heating the wire over the kitchen stove, McCann made countless iterations until she had the perfect design. McCann applied for her first patent in 1944, which was granted in 1947. Subsequent improvements were patented in 1950 and 1952.