ABOUT:
A gorgeous 1.2 carat extra chunky old mine cushion cut diamond solitaire in a tall pronged basket setting. Perfect for an engagement, or to add antique sparkle as a stacker. The long prongs hold the antique stone towards the wearer and suspends it to catch the light and view from all sides. The ring face almost serves as an illusion setting where it is larger below the diamond, making the stone appear larger because it is surrounded with a halo of platinum, with the little ruffle detail below for reflectivity.
The antique diamond has a gorgeous warmth to almost pale yellow in some light. It is actually widely accepted by collectors that the warm color of an old cut diamond is part of its appeal. Most of the rough diamonds at that time actually came from mines that produced warmer-colored diamonds so this is typical for old cuts.
Found in Paris, the piece has a partial goldsmith stamp and a partial French stamp for 18k gold. It is crafted in white gold and topped in platinum.
With prongs in good shape making this beauty ready to wear for engagement or as a gorgeous stacker.
Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and the pictures can make it difficult to see scale. Antique box is not included.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
Size 7 3/4
The diamond is about 7.1 by 6.5mm, cushion cut. I wouldn't remove it from the setting for exact measurement but it is around 1.2 carat.
The piece weighs 3.7 grams. The ring face is 10.2mm north south at the base of the illusion setting and stands 8.3mm off the finger to the top of the diamond.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Not even a nibble to the diamond. Typical for antique diamonds cut in a much more limited supply, there is a slight warmth to pale yellow hue, especially in direct sunlight. The piece does not read glaringly yellow in ambient light so it is not on the fancy scale, but it is very beautiful and seems to vary in hue based on the environment. Please see my website for additional photos in various lighting conditions, I had a bit of a challenge photographing this one in a way that does it justice. The stone is not dull or lifeless in any way, it does not appear dingy and the large, ruffled illusion setting makes it fun to wear. Nevertheless I have priced it lower due to the aforementioned notes, it is a nice size antique stone.
The stone has two natural inclusions that are slightly eye visible. One a carbon speck and one a crystal crease, these are off center of the culet but can reflect the light around the stone. Other than those two, the stone is otherwise good when it comes to clarity. But if it appears cloudy in photos, that is just the stone reflecting around the ruffled setting it is encased in. I noticed this when studying it under magnification. Very fun to wear, nice size and eye catching with tall footprint on the finger.
My items do very well without paperwork so I have not sent the stone for certification but always provide as much detail as possible with measurements, condition notes and many extra photos (see website) which can be translated to grading scales if desired.
Prongs are good, this one is ready for daily wear, always a treat to find in antiques.
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 : )
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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