ABOUT:
Now this is my kind of toi et moi ring! I absolutely drooooool for antique diamonds like these (not very ladylike of me, is it!?)
This is not your average toi et moi ring. This antique end of the Victorian period ring features two pillowy old mine cut natural (of course) diamonds with lofty crowns set at an angle with a swirling bypass shank. Total carat weight of around 2.1 carats. Fabulous in that no two antique hand cut stones are ever alike, one is more square and the other a more rounded cushion cut. This gives the ring an excellent organic antique appearance and wow are they chonky.
But even more wonderful than all of that is the delicious pale yellow coloring which seems to change in hue based on lighting conditions. When presented with direct sunlight, the well matching stones light up an almost lemon lime green color.
Aside from the glorious antique diamonds being special in their own right in terms of color, cut and an overall nice clarity - the setting is also unique with the sturdy 18k glowing yellow gold work possessing a bypass design that adds movement.
The two chunky diamonds are somehow warm, sunny and bright all at the same time and the setting is a great compliment for them. The shank curves in the bypass setting to encircle the base of the diamonds, which are held in elegant contrasting crown like prongs.
Found in the UK with their hallmarks for 18k gold, London, date stamp 1901.
Please see my website for many more images. I also photograph comparison shots as well as it can help display the color differences between the diamonds.
The tradition of giving toi et moi rings to represent the love between two people dates back centuries, but the style was brought to the attention of a wider audience when Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to Joséphine de Beauharnais with one. Other famous rings include the toi et moi given to Jacqueline Onassis by John F Kennedy in 1953, but the popularity of this two-part style of ring was at its peak during the Edwardian and Belle Époque periods. It remains quite popular and oh so romantic today.
But it is a timeless design that can be worn as a self gift as well, just for the joy of the design, for me and myself : ) or to think of ones' parents, two kids, two siblings, etc.
Very striking alone but also suitable for stacking and layering. It would be a romantic engagement ring. Adding to its desirability, the prongs are in excellent shape which we love to find on antiques, making this beauty ready for regular wear.
Antique box is not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
MEASUREMENTS:
Size: 6 3/4, slightly snug.
Weight: 5.9g
Ring face north south: 8.5mm.
Height off finger: 6.2mm.
Estimated total carat weight of 2.1 carats, I would not remove them from the setting for exact measurements but they are deeper cuts. One measuring 5.9mm square and the other a slightly oblong / egg shaped 6.7 by 6.2mm (it reads as an old mine cushion cut but when you really study it's shape you can see its freeform nature). Both are quite chunky in their cutting as is so sought after in old mine cut diamonds.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
I don't prefer to grade my antique diamonds with the Four C's grading scale which came about way later as a marketing strategy for machine cut diamonds with mathematically perfected facets. The scale does not do antique stones justice as they were expertly hand cut in a much more limited supply compared to the millions of carats of machine cut diamonds made each year now. Their uniqueness and quirks are expected and part of their charm. I recently purchased a ring for my own collection that prior to me, had had the stone removed from the antique setting. Removing it broke the basket setting and chipped the stone so for me personally, I dearly wish they would have sold it to me without the paperwork. Of course everyone is entitled to their own wonderful opinions but this is just one other perspective / point of view. My items do very well without paperwork as I spend so much time studying and describing each piece so there are never any surprises.
The diamonds are well matching to the eye, lively and sparkly, not dull or lifeless in any way. One has a slightly eye visible linear silk inclusion that is well hidden in the faceting when facing up, becoming more eye visible when turning the stone to the side and seeking it out. The more square stone has smaller pocket inclusions that are also slightly eye visible, again becoming eye visible when they catch the light and you are seeking them out. These things are not visible to my eyes which are in their forties and I don't see past the glorious color but just being picky with everything found under magnification and closer inspection. No dark or glaring carbon spots. The more rounded oblong stone is as mentioned a bit freeform in its cut, with a rough edge due to some indented natural inclusions in one area of the girdle edge. There is a tiny extension of this on the underside / pavilion that leaves a frosty spot but what is seen is more of a slight unevenness. Again this is seen only with magnification along with the majority of the stones' any other eccentricities. These variances between stones are typical, as no two antique diamonds are exactly alike.
The prongs are all in great shape so this one is ready for daily wear.
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 : )
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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