ABOUT:
When I previewed this one on social media after picking it up in France on my last inventory trip, it was so popular, customers started referring to it as a "unicorn". : ) Certainly a custom made piece with a mix of exactly 100 (!) mostly old cut diamonds in a sturdy and chunky wide band setting.
Substantial and interesting vintage eternity band ring with the hundred diamonds in various cuts, shapes and sizes, all set in bead prongs to the sturdy shank which is round around the finger opening and a cushioned square shape on the outside. The diamonds run all the way around the band in rows of mostly three, with some rows of four smaller stones at the corners. The ring has an exceptional texture with many old cut stones, all around sparkle and the bead prongs adding texture to the background. All set in a timeless retro setting mixing the antique old cut diamonds with the later vintage 18k gold which has a rich and slightly warm glow.
The largest diamonds in the center row reach up to about 3mm and are mostly old mine cuts with chunkier cuts and higher crowns. Many of the middle sized diamonds are old mine cuts as well. The smaller stones are mostly old single cut / eight cut diamonds and there are a few round brilliant cuts mixed in. The smallest stones at each corner are 1mm. Estimated total carat weight is over four carats so quite a lot of sparkle. Clearly a one of a kind piece - It is a real show stopper. The varying sized diamonds with mixed cuts giving it a very organic and custom made feel.
I am assuming this is an heirloom piece where someone took their / or dear old Granny's old diamonds from various pieces and had them all reset into a later setting with a few brilliants mixed in. It is an assuredly unique piece!
NOTE that in the side view there "appears" to be a ding to the gold but this is actually the French hallmark strike, their symbol for 18k gold. You'll notice some of the photos are taken outside by the sea, these images are meant to add to the provenance of the piece which was found in the French Riviera.
Please note the detailed measurements that I always provide, as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures where I am required to show zoomed in detail.
MEASUREMENTS:
Ring is currently about a size 5 1/2. It weighs a sturdy 9 grams.
The band is 9.3mm wide / north south on the finger and about 3mm deep off the finger.
The one hundred diamonds range in size from 1mm up to 3mm each. 32 of the stones, the two rows of four on each corner are the 1mm size, all the rest are 2mm and above up to 2.8 to 3mm for about 14 of the larger stones. Exact carat weight is unknown as I would not remove them from the setting and they all vary slightly, but some chunky cuts and lofty crowns to the larger stones. Using conservative measurements by millimeter it is over 4 carats.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
None of the stones move. And the prongs look quite good since the setting is later.
Typical antique stones with some natural inclusions that are very sightly eye visible to eye visible if the frosty spots carry throughout on a few of the smaller stones. I would say the most noticeable thing would be the varying hues with some of the stones reading slightly more gray compared to others - much of this is the juxtaposition of the varying cuts, which causes the stones to reflect the light differently. This is evident with the higher chunkier crowns. A few stones have a slight warmth as expected for stones from the period. Some nicks and nibbles, very small frosty flakes of loss. We usually see such wear with eternity rings because the inside / palm of the hand makes contact with surfaces, so considering that, this one is actually quite good for condition with no cracks or large chips. Typical for eternity rings and rings with so many small stones we recommend gentler wear but the piece overall is quite stable with no movement to stone or overall sense of fragility.
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 : )
All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).
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