ABOUT:
This one might be my favorite from my sourcing trip to France and Spain earlier this summer. All the things I love about an old cut stone and it's in its original Art Deco setting, she's about as good as I've been able to find!
This tall and impactful French vintage ring holds a chunky and very clean old mine cut diamond that measures around 4 carats. It has baguette diamonds on each shoulder for added sparkle and a knife edge shank. This one sits tall which makes it great for stacking but also adds dimension to the stone, making it appear larger by bringing it even closer to the beholder. I believe the stone is older than the Art Deco period setting.
This fabulous diamond has the warmth to palest yellow hue typical for stones from the period (and sought after by antique collectors like myself), having been cut during a period when the mines produced warmer rough. But as was often the case by these expertly cut stones, it is very fiery and faces up whiter in many lighting conditions. I have demonstrated this in the photos in various lighting conditions. The antique diamond also has a strong Kozibe effect, another desirable attribute in old cut stones.
So fun to wear for so many reasons - the amazing sparkle, the height, and of course that pillowy cushioned old mine cut with it's chunky dimensions -- Love love love!
Found on my recent sourcing trip to Paris where I was focusing on really uncommon and high quality pieces to send back. This superb piece is crafted in 18k white gold and platinum with French hallmarks, and has sturdy prongs ready for daily wear which is also very special for an original vintage diamond ring.
Antique Box IS Included. These old boxes are collectible and hold value. The box is not original to the piece, but I am including it as a gift because it's always fun to store our goodies in collectible housing : )
Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
HALLMARK:
French symbol hallmark for platinum that is since discontinued and another for 18k gold.
CENTER STONE:
The center diamond is 9.25mm with an incredibly chunky depth of 6.6mm, measuring around four carats (I can't get a perfect measurement of the depth due to the setting).
I do not take apart my original condition vintage rings for fear of damage so this is an estimate, but it was sold to me as such after having been examined by the gemologist where I purchased it from a reputable dealer, and confirmed again by my own measurements and calculations.
The side baguette diamonds are about 3.9x1.7mm each adding additional weight to the piece.
With a lovely warmth to palest yellow hue in some light, estimated at M-N in color. It faces up whiter in some lighting as you can see in the photos and has a blue fluorescence that also serves as a color corrector. A very fiery stone with strong Kozibe.
The stone has an excellent clarity, estimated at VS with very little to be found even under magnification aside from some polishing marks typical for old cut stones seen only under magnification to the pavilion facets and then some indented natural inclusions as is commonly found around the girdle. Again not visible while wearing the piece but seen under magnification when viewing the girdle from the side. They look like a fleabite, nick or nibble but 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, but a natural characteristic of the stone and is seen mostly under magnification. These are all typical things for these one of a kind stones cut before modern technology.
Note that in my own collecting, I don’t typically rely on the "Four C’s" for vintage diamonds, cut in a much more limited supply than the millions of carats of modern diamonds created each year now. This is partly because the grades are subjective and can be misleading, don't do these very rare stones justice, and the quirks are part of their history and character. My items sell well without paperwork as my listings are very detailed and I prefer not to take apart my vintage and antique pieces to send off the stone for fear of damaging the stones and settings (it has happened to me more than once as a buyer and a seller). But my descriptions always provide more detail than a letter grade provides, and all quirks and eccentricities are always pointed out. I look at vintage and antique diamonds every day and this is a special stone.
I have a ton more videos in all lighting conditions, feel free to request through Instagram and I can easily send more looks.
MEASUREMENTS:
A snug size 5. Sturdy prongs in the setting so this can be sized with no danger to the center stone, and the hallmarks are off to the side and can be avoided.
The ring weighs 3.5 grams. Ring face is 9.5mm tall off the finger to the table.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
See above for center stone. The side stones have some small speck inclusions and a bit of milkiness under magnification only, nothing noticeable to the eye as they are small and just add a glint of sparkle. No carbon to be found anywhere on the piece.
Surface wear to the shank and age appropriate wear to the hallmark but sturdy prongs ready for regular wear. The base of the prongs are crimped on both sides to allow for stacking.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They may have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. 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 : )
Very sweet piece from a very special era. 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 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).
Box#dzmq.*^2
