THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT ~
Type: Ring
Materials: 18k White Gold, Diamond, Platinum
Size: 5 3/4 with Carat weight of 1.1 Tdw
Era: Late Victorian c1900 to Early Edwardian c1910
ABOUT:
Those that follow me I'm sure see my weakness for diamond clusters and navettes are a personal fav - I love their drama! Here is another chunky antique one set with 9 diamonds totaling 1.1 carats for a beautiful sparkle. This piece is crafted in 18k gold and platinum. Sturdy gallery gives the the ring face a bit of a lift to prop the piece beautifully off the finger for additional attention grabbing. As an added benefit, this one is ready for regular wear as the pointed talon prongs have lots of length to hold the diamonds securely.
It has a UK stamp 18CT PLAT for 18k gold and platinum.
MEASUREMENTS:
Exact depth of the diamonds is unknown as I would not remove them. The dealer I purchased it from estimated it at 1.1 carats which aligned with my measurements and using online calculators. The largest three diamonds are in a line through the center, with two at 3.5mm and one at 3.2mm. The others are about 2.8mm each.
The ring is a size 5 3/4 and weighs 4.6g. The ring face is 18x11mm and stands 6mm tall off the finger. The ring shoulders adjacent to the face are 1.6mm north south all the way around, and slope up to meet the ring face.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. I think the piece had been re-tipped as the prongs are really long for age making this beauty ready for frequent wear.
Typical antique diamonds with some natural inclusions, but nothing glaring. Only one has a faint gray carbon speck, the others just have a frosty spot here or there. Three tiny flea bites to a girdle edge here or there, but no chips or scratches. All of this is only very slightly eye visible if at all - my eyes which are in their 40s cannot see them. Some warm hues also typical and even sought after for the period which can be seen in some light, especially the warm autumn direct sunlight if you want to look for that in the pictures and video. I notice it the most on the center one which has a faint brown hue and one of the other larger center ones which has the faintest yellow hue. Some warmth to some of the outlining ones as well but most noticeable in the center line as they are larger. I love it! She's a beauty!
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
I would be delighted if you'd follow me in my shop. Thanks for stopping by!
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on insta for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews!
About Antique Diamonds:
The whole "4 C's" of cut, color, clarity, carat didn't come about until the 1940s so prior to that and especially on antique pieces, there was not as much emphasis placed on those things. (Sure people probably appreciated a certain look of a certain diamond as it appeared to the eye but it was not a graded scale like we have today.) So it is difficult to judge antique stones against modern day diamonds and their grading system. No two old cuts are the same as they were crafted in times lacking any modern standards. The diamond cutters of the time were experts at hand cutting each stone to enhance it which means that even lower color grades can be cut to appear whiter. (Although it is also worth noting that many antique collectors prefer and seek out antique diamonds with warmer hues.)
It is also interesting that "lower graded" diamonds in today's scale system, were some of the best on the market during this period! So it is less about their grades and more about the unique play of light and color that each one can offer. I read one article that put it: “When searching for the perfect old cut diamond (for you), you need to view them through different eyes as you would for a modern diamond, Laboratory grading reports don’t offer too much information in regards to their individual beauty or sparkle which are based more on their individual character and uniqueness that each one potentially offers.”
Box#Md.!)2#
