DOUBLE Row ANTIQUE 1 Carat Old Mine Cut DIAMOND Ring 18k Gold c1893 Victorian Band

ABOUT:

Unique and stackable double row ring with ornately flared shoulders and a sturdy shank holding up the 10 diamonds. All the diamonds are chunky old mine cuts with the exception of one of the smaller stones, second from the end which is a modern brilliant replacement. This could easily be replaced with a period appropriate old mine cut by your local jeweler but as it is beautiful and wearable, I decided to sell it as is.

Just a wonderful chunky glittery cluster crafted in rich, warm antique 18k gold. The stones have nice high crowns making it fun to view the piece from the side. It is substantial enough to wear alone with the 1 full carat total weight in diamonds, but it also layers well with other pieces.

The gold stamp is worn but the piece is in 18k gold with Birmingham date stamp for the year 1893.

Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

The ring is a size 6 1/2. The piece weighs a sturdy 5.1 grams.

Exact carat weight is unknown as I would not remove the stones from the setting but it is estimated around 1 carat total weight in diamonds. The center two stones are the largest at 3.8mm & 4mm. Four of the diamonds are about 3mm and the four smallest, two on each end are are about 2.2mm.
Stands 5mm off the finger, the ring face is 8.6mm north south.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

All my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. A worn prong here or there to keep an eye on but the piece has had some re-tipping done. so all the stones are secure. A few of the tips are warmer in color. This difference in patina is eye visible. Typical antique diamonds with some natural inclusions, mostly frosty specks, slightly eye visible. The two largest have a nice clarity with only small needle inclusions and are eye clean. Also typical for old stones they have varying warmth to gray hues for a moody antique sparkle. As mentioned, one diamond is a modern replacement and reads differently than the old cut stones but it is a beautiful piece. I and many other antique jewelry collectors actually enjoy finding these unique characteristics of antique diamonds in pieces from the period. No damage to any of the diamonds. Timeless piece - I love this one.

Shank is very sturdy. But Due to age - please note this is not a mint condition item.

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 : )

A note about antique diamonds:
The whole "4 C's" of cut, color, clarity, carat didn't come about until the 1940s so prior to that and especially on antique pieces, there was not as much emphasis placed on those things. (Sure people probably appreciated a certain look of a certain diamond as it appeared to the eye but it was not a graded scale like we have today.)
So it is difficult to judge antique stones against modern day diamonds and their grading system. No two old cuts are the same as they were crafted in times lacking any modern standards. The diamond cutters of the time were experts at hand cutting these stones to enhance them, which means that even lower color grades can be cut to appear whiter. It is also interesting that "lower graded" diamonds in today's scale system, were some of the best on the market during this period!
So it is less about their grades and more about the unique play of light and color that each one can offer. I read one article that put it nicely: “When searching for the perfect old cut diamond (for you), you need to view them through different eyes as you would for a modern diamond, Laboratory grading reports don’t offer too much information in regards to their individual beauty or sparkle which are based more on their individual character and uniqueness that each one potentially offers.” Just an interesting comparison of antique vs. modern diamonds. : )

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

Expedited shipping with signature upon delivery will be at my cost.

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