The slender, circular-sectioned, beaded wire hoop, now a little distorted, is flanked by a pair of tiny globules at its junction with the lower edge of each end of the bezel. The bezel, an oval box with flared sides and a very slender beaded wire girth ring, is open at the back as well as the front. Its upper edge is dented in several places. The oval intaglio, a translucent, lilac-coloured amethyst, has a low convex obverse and stronger convex reverse (Henig’s gemstone shape Curved, 1). It is secured in the bezel box by a gold strip forming a bevelled internal rim at both the front (now damaged) and the back. The engraved image is of a standing Minerva wearing full-length drapery and a crested helmet and facing to her right. She holds a spear in her right hand and supports a shield at her left side with her other hand. Regrettable damage to the front and lower left side of the intaglio, probably caused by a heavy blow, obscures some detail.

The open back of the gem-setting allows the passage of light through the stone offering the possibility of an additional view of the engraved image by transmitted light.