ABOUT:
You may have heard this before - Of all the ring requests I receive, the old mine cut cluster is the one in highest demand. This is a nice size one totaling a little over 1.5 carats with the largest old mine cut at center raised in prongs above the lower tier of eight diamonds. Note that one diamond in the lower tier halo is a brilliant cut replacement.
The center stone is set in long prongs that I believe are platinum where the setting for the outlining diamonds has a warmer yellow glow. Often times these halos are completely topped in a white precious metal as was customary for the period for setting diamonds, but this one reads as more yellow gold overall making it a bit more unique.
No hallmarks remain which is actually common for French pieces as they are marked in the back and often lost during a sizing or from wear. But sold to me from a reputable source in France where the standard is 18k and tested to confirm.
Antique box in photos is not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures. Feel free to also check my website for more photos as I have many besides those allowed here.
MEASUREMENTS:
Size 7 1/4. The ring weighs a sturdy 5 grams.
The center diamond is about 4.8mm and about .45 carat alone, and the outlining are about 3mm each. I would never remove the stones for an exact measurement but total carat weight is around 1.5 carats.
The ring face is 13.5mm and 8.5mm tall off the finger with the raised center stone.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
The center diamond prongs are excellent, that one is not going anywhere for another 100 years. The outlining diamonds also have strong outside prongs apart from one that is worn back, but none of the stones move.
The center diamond has two eye visible triangular gray frosty inclusions. The others have some very faint natural inclusions seen under magnification but are eye clean for the most part. Some warm hues to some of the outlining diamonds and one reads just the slightest bit opaque under lit magnification but overall they have a nice fire and sparkle. These things are typical for old cut stones, hand cut long before the Four C's scale was created for machine cut diamonds with their mathematically perfected facets. I don't see any damage, chips or flakes of loss to any of the stones. As mentioned one stone is a modern brilliant replacement that was in place when I purchased it. The prongs are a bit blunt when you rub it against the finger. Not a defect, just how it was made, but not as smooth as a bezel setting.
Evidence of a sizing to the back, very well done and smooth but the slightest difference when studying the back of the shank under lit magnification, this is due to that glorious antique patina on the rest of the piece. Not at all noticeable while wearing.
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 glaring issues above and they are all still wearable.
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 : )
Box#nc.^2#
