ABOUT:
I am always seeking out diamonds with hues and this fancy yellow one comes in a timeless and classic traditional solitaire setting. The center diamond is an old mine cut measuring a little over 0.6 carat with a gorgeous yellow color that brightens up to a lemon lime green in direct sunlight. With prongs ready for daily wear.
I believe the piece is antique and all original but with later hallmarks as it appears to have been restamped with a later "N" date letter and 585 - the numerical hallmarking system used in Europe for 14k gold. At the back we can see some worn hallmarks and PT, presumedly indicating the white metal prongs are in platinum, to provide contrast to make the yellow stone pop. But the piece is primarily 14k yellow gold, guaranteed vintage, but likely antique.
Rings such as these are scarce and sought after for a few reasons - the first is that all antique diamonds of course have a more limited supply since they are no longer made in this way. There are only so many in existence compared to the millions of carats of modern, machine cut diamonds made every year. These have withstood the test of time.
The second is the color - it is believed that only 1 carat in every 10,000 carats mined are yellow diamonds. So putting the old hand cut together with the color makes this old Mine cut ring even more scarce.
Chunky old cut diamond, which has that pretty lemon lime greenish yellow hue. I think the groups shots do the best job of showing the hue as you compare to some of the whiter diamonds in the picture. But even as I look at it now in lower ambient light it is quite noticeably yellow. Lovely antique buttery gold. It is fun to see the color of the stone and how it varies between lighting conditions, really popping brightly in sunlight especially.
I found this one in the UK.
Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and the pictures can make it difficult to see scale. Antique box is not included.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
Size 4 3/4, just slightly over.
I do not remove my stones from their settings for exact measurements as my items do very well without paperwork (especially for antique pieces created long before the Four C's was invented, the scale does not do them justice.)
The center old mine cut diamond is about 5.5mm cushion cut and a little over 0.6 carat alone.
The piece weighs 2.2 grams. It stands 6.5mm off the finger.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
With fancy color diamonds, color is the dominant value factor. This antique stone has some very faint natural inclusions that are very slightly eye visible and an indented natural inclusion at the surface on the smaller facet just outside the table. It does not reach the table and almost appears polished but this can be slightly eye visible if you are seeking it out, due to the interruption to the surface. GIA defines this as a dent that occurs under the surface of a diamond as a result of the diamond cutter's decision not to polish it off, because doing so could end up harming the diamond so the cutters would work around it - this is not considered a defect or blemish.
I noticed in the pictures it can appear a bit cloudy but that is just buildup behind the stone in the hard to reach setting, the diamond itself actually eye clean with the exception of that indented natural that you can seek out. Most of it is really seen under magnification as what is noticeable while wearing is the gorgeous color to the antique stone. And considering that these antique stones are in much more limited supply, it does have quite a nice clarity for an older one.
Please note that I take some photos / videos in the sunshine because it captures the lovely color and sparkle, but it also highlights any surface wear, scratches, abrasions, buildup or inclusions that can catch the light, making these things appear worse than they would with normal day to day wear. : ) Hopefully the pics in all lightning conditions help as they serve as part of the description.
Please also 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 : )
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
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