ABOUT:
Why can't I keep all the colored diamonds in the world!? : )
This one has been in my personal collection the last few years but I am paring that collection down in part to help cover my summer sourcing / inventory trips to Europe.
This antique ring is one I purchased in France, for the elegant solitaire with accents / three stone setting in sought after yellow gold but even more so for the fabulous antique center stone. This is one of those antique diamonds that seems to change color from room to room. While definitely fancy in color, it has a yellow brown / champagne color in ambient light. But then when you move the hand into direct light and especially sunshine, this diamond lights up a lemon lime green color. Adding to its appeal, this diamond is eye clean and super chunky with the pavilion of the stone extending down through almost the entirety of the setting, so it is absolutely a special and unique stone.
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 fancy diamonds. So putting the old cut together with the color makes this old mine cut ring even more scarce.
The center stone is raised slightly in prongs and flanked by a small old mine cut diamond in a bezel setting on each side. It is crafted in 18k gold (tested, no hallmarks remain) with a lovely rosy patina, with the center diamond prongs topped in a white precious metal. I believe it is platinum but I do not scratch test prongs for fear of damage, however this is the customary fabrication for the period to set diamonds in a white precious metal. This one emits an excellent amount of fire and light, especially considering its rich coloring.
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 7 1/8, just slightly over a size 7 but does not reach past the 7 1/4 line.
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 center old old mine cut diamond is about 7mm in diameter and estimates to over 1.5 carat. The flanking stones are about 2mm each further adding a bit more to the total carat weight.
The piece weighs 2.3 grams. It stands 5.5mm off the finger.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
The shank is a bit on the daintier side, it was likely stacked. It is about 1mm north south but has a thicker depth to it at 1.5mm - this would be something to discuss with your local jeweler when it comes to sizing to determine their comfort level.
There is a bit of wear to the prongs, one on the east west side is completely worn back but the others have enough length to well surround it so this one is still ready for regular wear. Two tiny nibbles in one small area of the girdle, seen only under magnification and may have even occurred during the cutting of the stone.
With fancy color diamonds, color is the dominant value factor. Diamond clarity does not add as much value in fancy-colored diamonds because a diamond’s color is the most sought after feature. It is also worth noting it can be more common to find inclusions in colored stones due to how they were formed in the earth, the chemical structure of the stone causing the coloring can also lead to said inclusions. Having said that, this stone is eye clean! It has only the tiniest specks, very few and far between only under strong magnification.
My items do very well without paperwork so I do not remove them from antique settings to send for certification but always provide as much detail as possible with measurements, condition notes and many extra photos (see website for more) to capture it true to life in various lighting conditions, which can be translated to grading scales if desired.
What a wonderful color to the fancy stone!
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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