A UNIQUE ring which could date back to Viking or Anglian times has been bought by the Yorkshire Museum.

The gold ring is the second earliest example of the use of sapphire ever found in the country – the first is a fifth century Roman example. But the date of the ring is unknown because nothing like it has ever been found before.

The ring, which measures about 2.5cm across and is intricately made of gold, high quality glass and a large sapphire, was discovered near York by Michael Greenhorn, from York and District Metal Detecting Club, in April 2009.

The Yorkshire Museum has since raised £35,000, with grant funding from the Art Fund, MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Headley Trust and York Philosophical Society, to buy the ring.

Natalie McCaul, assistant curator of archaeology, said: “This is a spectacular find – a very bold and beautiful ring with a huge sapphire in the centre.

“There is no doubt that it was made by one of the finest craftsmen in the land for someone of great wealth and very high standing. We are now planning for experts to come and look at the ring in the next few months to help us reveal some of its secrets.”

Sapphire was most commonly used in the medieval period, while the gold beading would suggest it is from the Viking period, but the combination of gold, red and blue glass is typically Anglian style.

Natalie said other findings suggest there was a highly skilled jewellery, making industry in the city, and the ring could shed fascinating new light on York’s history.

The ring will go on show in the museum in the next few weeks.