ANTIQUE 1.4 Carat 11 Old Mine Cut DIAMOND Daisy Cluster Ring 18k Gold & PLATiNUM Belle Epoque

I am selling an assortment of vintage to antique jewelry and rings which I have hunted for and gathered from around the world. Some examples seen in the last photo - thanks for stopping by!

ABOUT:

Of all the ring requests I receive, the old mine cut cluster is the one in highest demand. And this is quite a fine one with a bright white color and exceptional fire with 11 old mine cuts totaling around 1.4 carats total weight in diamonds. Amazing glitter factor with a large footprint the finger for that chunky antique sparkle. The setting is nice in the way it spreads making the ring face larger compared to some clusters where the diamonds are more compact, this one seems to read bigger.  But please see exact measurements below for scale.  

Raised details at each shoulder are set with a smaller old mine cut for an additional glint. A timeless classic with exceptional sparkle factor.

French hallmark for 18k gold used primarily in the 1800s and discontinued by the early 1900s. The ring face is topped in platinum as was customary for the period to set the diamonds in a white metal (it was thought to increase their brilliance).

Antique box in photos is not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures. Feel free to also request more photos or video as I have many besides those allowed here.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

Size 6. Weight is 4.5 grams. The ring face is 14x11mm and 6.8mm off the finger. The center diamond is raised in prongs and is the largest at about 4mm. The one above and below are 3.3mm with the rest in the halo around 3mm give or take. The diamonds at each shoulder are 2mm. I would not remove them for exact measurements but just using my caliper, honesty : ) and estimates by millimeter I am getting around 1.4 carats total weight in diamonds.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

I love antique diamonds, even those with inclusions or hues typical for the time, because some of those were still among the best available in the market during that period, and were expertly cut by hand to enhance their best characteristics. So I don’t often like to compare antique stones against modern grading standards - BUT these diamonds, for old stones have particularly lovely fire reflecting a noticeable flash with the other colors of the rainbow. It was actually quite noticeable, especially while trying to photograph it. It also has a bright white color so even though the ring was made long before the 4 C's existed, it sparkles really beautifully. I'm amazed by it now as I wear it in low light how glittery and bright it still is.

A worn prong here or there typical for age. None of the stones move but something to keep an eye on over time. One of the outlining diamonds has prongs that show the most wear, the others have more length but most of my buyers prefer occasional wear and original condition. The center stone has two high prongs on one side that reach higher than the stone, but if you were to lift the stone against it, it would then sit crooked and it is currently straight.  This again is seen under magnification and not with normal wear.  Microscopic nibbles to the girdle of two diamonds seen only under magnification and one edge has some small chips with flakes of loss to the edge but they all appear round and complete. Also typical for antique stones, some natural inclusions some frosty specks and slightly eye visible carbon specks, again nothing glaring.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
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 enjoy making my customers happy and matching unique pieces with new homes. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions! It means a lot to me that you are visiting my shop! : )

SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com

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 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.”

Box# M@c.!@2#