ABOUT:
Beautifully sparkling early 1900s French antique sapphire ring surrounded by a halo of ten old mine cut diamonds plus one brilliant cut in each raised shoulder. Wonderful true royal blue color to the natural sapphire, with a bright and chunky glitter from the ten old mine cuts and two brilliants which total around 1.7 carat. Textbook French design with the halo and raised shoulders with knife edge shank. We often see these topped in a white precious metal but this one is all yellow and rosy gold.
I had a dealer friend in Paris once tell me that these are among the most popular ring styles in France where they prefer the more subtle sapphire color over more vibrant gemstones like rubies and emeralds or large diamonds. I have found in my years of selling that they are very popular here as well!
Found in Paris. Partial almost illegible hallmark strike, the French stamp for 18k gold. I can barely make out part of the detail only under magnification because I have seen it a thousand times. Antique box is not included. 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:
Currently measures a size 5 3/4. Weighs 5.1 Grams.
Ring face is 16mm north to south on the finger by 13.5mm. It is 7.5mm tall off the finger.
The sapphire measures about 8.1 by 6.5mm. Each diamond in the halo is 3.1 to 3.3mm with the two in the shoulders measuring 2.5mm. Exact depth and thereby carat weight is unknown as I would never remove them from the setting but the reputable place in Paris that I purchased it from estimated it at 1.7 carat total weight in diamonds which aligns with the measurements.
CONDITION NOTES:
All my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. Linear silk / needle inclusions to the sapphire which can seen only under magnification. There is also a darker silk inclusion that is triangular on one end and linear on the other, in one outside area of the stone, but this is not eye visible because of the depth of color to the stone. I can only see it under lit magnification. It carries to the surface and leaves a few small nibbles on the facet edge. There are also a few nibbles on one of the other facets on the opposite side but the stone is not heavily abraided or dull.
The sapphire prongs are excellent but the diamond prongs show wear from their age, especially around the outside edge. None of the stones move but this is something to keep an eye on over time.
The setting has some quirks. There's a seam on each side, halfway down each side of the band and some tiny cracks to the gold, one at one side and the other at the back where a sizing was done. I don't know if it was re-shanked or just fortified but the piece appears to have always been a ring with no solder at the shoulders where the shank meets the ring face. The prongs are a glowing yellow gold while the shank and base of the setting under the prongs is rosier gold but again, it does not appear to be a conversion so it may have just been fabricated in this way, with the brilliant cuts on each shoulder later replacements?
Typical antique diamonds that are for the most part eye clean, with just some faint natural inclusions seen under strong magnification. No dark carbon spots and nothing glaring.
Feel free to request more photos, I have plenty more than the 10 allotted here.
Will be sent with additional insurance, expedited delivery and signature confirmation upon delivery at my cost.
I enjoy making my customers happy and matching unique pieces with new homes. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions! Plenty more pics than the 10 allowed here so just ask. : ) 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 : )
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