DRAGON Figural Chimera Old Mine Cut DIAMOND French Antique Unisex RING 18k Gold Solid Chunky Band

ABOUT:

One of my favorite purchases from my recent inventory trip. This wonderful Victorian French antique ring has a lot of fun details and a striking graphic. The ring depicts a dragon or chimera facing towards the center with a bezel set old mine cut diamond in its open mouth. The shoulders of the shank are engraved as well with the shank winding around to show the tail on the opposite side of the mouth.

The dragon and chimera image was a popular motif for the late 1800s to early 1900s period. These fantastical beasts were considered symbols of wealth and power, and worn as talismans for protection or amulets for good luck.

Fabulous French 18k antique gold work with a rich buttery glow with some rosy highlights in a great unisex size. It has a wonderful texture with high shine to the raised details and a delicious matte texture to the recesses. The piece is solid gold with the head being gold all the way through and flat on the inside, not hollowed out to reduced weight, so it is a nice quality.

Found in Belgium, made in France with their hallmark for 18k gold on the back.

Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.

MEASUREMENTS:
The ring is a size 9 3/4 on my mandrel.

The ring face is 13.7mm north south and 3.5mm off the finger.
The ring weight is 6.1 grams.

The diamond is about 3mm.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Some surface wear that has worn the patterns but it is still very legible and clear what it is while wearing. No damage or eye visible inclusions to the diamond.

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. : ) There are no dark spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it is so shiny and mirrored that it reflects its surroundings including the green trees out the window.
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 : )

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

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#S.*4@