What is the purpose of a ring like this? It’s a sterling silver ring with a gemstone on top. The face of it is clasped shut and can be opened up to reveal little space for holding something.

A: This is a perfume ring which holds solid perfume. Ladies wore them way back in the day when there was more rotten stuff decomposing around towns, gutters & in the street. They would hold the ring to their nose when passing a stinky area. Some folks call them poison rings & there are locket rings, but Im pretty sure this is a perfume ring.