THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT ~
Type: Ring
Materials: 18k Gold, Diamond, Garnet
Size: 6 3/4
Era: Georgian (1714-1837)
ABOUT:
Several personal collection releases in today's stock drop.
Unique snake ring from the Georgian era with coiled tail design encircling the ring face holding a wonderful table cut diamond, one of the oldest diamond cutting methods. The snake has two small rose cut garnet red eyes. Nice texture with the engraved scale designs. Uncommon to find with a table cut - makes a great stacker band. I love figural antique pieces.
In ancient times, snakes represented the duality of good and evil, as well as being symbols of death and rebirth or immortality, transformation and healing, and even fertility. This motif was highly popularized, especially in ring form, by Queen Victoria who received one from Prince Albert who designed it after the Roman belief that the intertwined snake represented eternal and everlasting love. But this one dates to before that period.
I got this in France but no hallmarks remain. Sold to me as and tests at 18k.
Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
MEASUREMENTS:
Size 6 3/4, The ring face is 9mm north to south. The piece Weighs 3.7g. The table cut is about 3.5mm
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
All my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition and this one looks quite ancient. There are some welds and gold repair, most notable to the tail next to the right side of the face, it was tidily done and looks clean while wearing. The diamond has shallow flakes of loss on one end and a frosty appearance there. To the eye and while wearing it still appears complete so it is more just the texture / sheen. It is barely eye visible when you study the edge up close. The table has some nice sharp facets. It reads a bit warm due to the closed back. Some bends and solder bubbles, definitely signs of its age on this old beauty, but still a great antique look with a buttery warm glow and quite wearable. Under magnification the red gem eyes don't quite match and have abrasions but they are quite small.
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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