THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT ~
Type: Ring
Materials: 14k Gold, Diamond,
Size: 8 1/2
Era: Victorian (1837-1901)
ABOUT:
Awesome cobblestone effect to this unique oval cluster ring with large face set in buttercup prongs. As a fun design element, all the center prongs are stamped to give the gold tips a little circular rivet detail which adds to the cobblestone effect. The piece is set with 1o chunky old mine cut diamonds in varying sizes, it is around 1.2 carat total weight in diamonds.
In rich antique 18k gold, this is a great statement piece. Many of the old cut diamonds have very high crown facets for that chunky sparkle and wonderfully "crusty" side view with the diamonds cropping out of the oval face. The shank is stamped 14k inside and is very sturdy all the way around. Love this one! I purchased it on an inventory trip to New York. Old mine clusters must be among my most popular items in my shop so I snatch them up whenever I can.
Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
Size 8 1/2, slightly over but does not reach 8 3/4 on my mandrel. The piece weighs a sturdy 5.4 grams.
Exact carat weight is unknown as I would not remove the stones but the largest measure 3.9mm and 3.7mm and the others are 2.5-3.5mm each. Most have quite high crowns and are chunkier cuts. Just using estimates I am getting around 1.2 ctw in diamonds.
Stands 6mm off the finger, the ring face is 15x12mm.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
All my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. A few nicks and tiny nibbles, one with a small flake of loss which is the only thing eye visible if you are really studying it up close and catch the facet edge in a reflection of light. Another has a linear interruption to the surface that is a natural inclusion. The stones all still appear compete and round to the eye and fill the setting.
Typical antique diamonds with some very small / faint natural inclusions but none of the inclusions are eye visible and I see no dark or carbon spots. Some worn prongs here to keep an eye on over time but enough remain holding the diamonds securely. The diamonds have a beautiful bright color and exceptional sparkle.
Shank is very sturdy. But Due to age - please note this is not a mint condition item.
A note 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 these stones to enhance them, which means that even lower color grades can be cut to appear whiter. 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 nicely: “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.” Just an interesting comparison of antique vs. modern diamonds. : )
Thanks so much for looking at my items!
Expedited shipping with signature upon delivery will be at my cost.
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