ABOUT:
Large and attention grabbing locket ring with a big domed top that Opens!
Revealing a locket space inside which is lined with red velvet. It has a nice size space inside to hold small keepsakes. The glossy cabochon amethyst set into the cover domes upward about 4mm and has a wonderful purple color that appears deep / rich in color but then glows from within with lighter lavender auras. The amethyst is surrounded by a halo of rose cut diamonds to constitute the lid of the locket. Below that is the sturdy base of the ring with floral details around the rim and at each shoulder. The inside of the ring has a closed back to provide the locket to contain.
Note that there are eye visible inclusions in the stone that you will see in photos - these are not cracks or a weakness. Just a natural characteristic of the stone.
I'm not exactly sure when this was made, it clearly has some age to it and a nice patina. Could be vintage and made in the antique style but a very interesting piece. I'm just a little stumped because it has some characteristics of an antique piece with the closed back, the patina, the rose cut diamonds, but then has rights at the shoulders where the floral details end and a wider blunt shank that seems a bit later? It is in original condition though, has not been altered or re-shanked, etc. It has multiple stamps on the back including a goldsmith stamp and some gold symbol hallmarks. Found in France, but I think it was made elsewhere as I don't recognize the hallmarks. Sold to me as 18k gold and tested to confirm.
Antique Box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
MEASUREMENTS:
Ring is a snug size 7 1/2. The ring face is about 20mm by 17mm on the outside, and when you open it, the inside rim of the locket is 15x12mm. It domes a tall 12mm off the finger to the top of the amethyst. Quite a sturdy hand feel weighing 8.65g. The amethyst is 9x7mm.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
The amethyst has natural inclusion like ice within the stone that can catch the light. A few scratches to the stone but overall reads as quite glossy with a wonderful color, sheen and polish. The hinge is sturdy and it snaps closed very securely. Some patina in the recesses.
Typical old rose cut diamonds with some inclusions, nicks, frosty and irregular edges, they are thinly cut discs. Likely have always been that way as they were rough cut by hand. They are small so this is not really visible to the eye, they just add a nice little glint of sparkle. They have a frosty appearance under magnification also from build up to the back which could likely be carefully cleaned but I did not want to get the locket portion wet so I did not attempt to clean it.
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. : )
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 : )
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SOCIAL:
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Box #M.4@4
