THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT ~
Type: Ring
Materials: 18k Gold, Diamond
Size: 5
Era: Early 1900s
ABOUT:
I always think of these as grid rings but - panel, lozenge, platform, cobblestone - all apply! This one is so striking with the large rectangular face. Awesome French antique early 1900s cluster ring completely encrusted in old cut diamonds. 18 diamonds in all, in rows of three above a raised filigree setting. An excellent Cobblestone encrusted design with a great antique sparkle and eye catching footprint.
I got this in France, it has the French hallmark for 18k gold.
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 wears at around a size 5. I couldn't get an exact measurement because it has sizing beads / ball rivets in gold soldered to the back inside of the shank. The purpose of these can be for sizing, or arthritic fingers, but also as may be the case with this ring – to provide weight and a hold at the base of the finger since the piece is top heavy, so it doesn't spin sideways while wearing. It can easily be removed by any jeweler, and especially if the buyer plans to have the piece sized.
The piece weighs a sturdy 5.1 grams.
Exact carat weight is unknown as I would not remove the stones but the reputable dealer I purchased it from estimated it at around 1.5 carats which aligns with estimates online by mm as each is around 2.5 to 3mm.
Stands 5mm off the finger, the ring face is 20x10.5mm (or 0.8 inch north south).
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
All my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. Most of the diamonds are old mine cuts with a small handful that are old European cuts with lower crowns. I don't detect any damage and no glaring inclusions, nothing eye visible and no dark carbon spots but a few frosty specks or areas under magnification. Some slightly varying hues which are eye visible, reading a bit more gray and contrasts slightly with some of the brighter white diamonds. I and many other antique jewelry collectors actually enjoy finding these unique characteristics in pieces from the period. Some worn prongs here and there but all are holding the diamonds securely. Something to keep an eye on over time but all the stones are secure. The piece feels quite sturdy.
Shank is in good shape. But Due to age - please note this is not a mint condition item.
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.
Box#Mt.9@3
