Toi et Moi 1.7 CARAT Old Mine Cut DIAMOND Chunky Two Stone Antique Ring French 18k Gold Angled Swirl Band Stacker Romantic Gift OMC 1.7Ctw

ABOUT:

Not your average toi et moi ring. This French antique features two pillowy old mine cushion cuts with lofty crowns set at an angle with a swirling bypass shank. Aside from the glorious antique diamonds being special in their own right in terms of color, cut and clarity - the setting is also unique with the 18k glowing yellow gold work possessing a triple ribbed design that adds movement and texture.

The two chunky diamonds are distractingly glittery and the setting is a great compliment for them. The shank curves in the bypass setting to encircle the base of the diamonds, which are held in elegant contrasting crown like prongs.

Found in France with their hallmark for 18k gold.

For antique diamonds, these wonderful old mine cuts have a noticeable fire and a nice clarity, one of them being eye clean and the other with just a few faint wisp inclusions seen mostly under magnification and only slightly eye visible if seeking them out.

The tradition of giving toi et moi rings to represent the love between two people dates back centuries, but the style was brought to the attention of a wider audience when Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to Joséphine de Beauharnais with one. Other famous rings include the toi et moi given to Jacqueline Onassis by John F Kennedy in 1953, but the popularity of this two-part style of ring was at its peak during the Edwardian and Belle Époque periods. It remains quite popular and oh so romantic today.

But it is a timeless design that can be worn as a self gift as well, just for the joy of the design, for me and myself : ) or to think of ones' parents, two kids, two siblings, etc.

Very striking alone but also suitable for stacking and layering. It would be a romantic engagement ring. Adding to its desirability, the prongs are in excellent shape which we love to find on antiques, making this beauty ready for regular wear.

Antique box is not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.

MEASUREMENTS:
Size: 6 1/4
Weight: 4.2g

Ring face north south: 14mm.
Height off finger: 5mm.

Estimated total carat weight of 1.7 carats, I would not remove them from the setting for exact measurements but they are deeper cuts. I am getting 0.9 carat for one and 0.8 carat for the other. Their measurements are similar with one just having more depth adding to the difference, although both are quite chunky in their cutting as is so sought after in old mine cut diamonds.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

I don't prefer to grade my antique diamonds with the Four C's grading scale which came about way later for machine cut diamonds with mathematically perfected facets. The scale does not do antique stones justice as they were expertly hand cut in a much more limited supply compared to the millions of carats of machine cut diamonds made each year now. Their uniqueness and quirks are expected and part of their charm, but I will pass along the grades as I received them. I-J in color and VS in clarity.

They are well matching to the eye, lively and sparkly, not dull or lifeless in any way. One is eye clean and even under magnification very little is found aside from an indented natural inclusions on one area of the girdle. The other stone possesses the same and these are not eye visible. They are seen only when you study the girdles of the stones from the side under strong lit magnification. GIA defines the indented natural inclusion as a dent that occurs under the surface of a diamond as a result of the diamond cutter's decision not to polish it off, because doing so could end up harming the diamond so the cutters would work around it - this is not considered a defect or blemish but under magnification, the thicker girdle that we seek on antique stones is frosted in most areas but unpolished at the area of the indented natural inclusions. The stones have no damage. No dark or glaring carbon spots and no large inclusions. As mentioned, the other diamond has some faint wisp inclusions. Under magnification one appears green in color which I actually kind of love about it - it's interesting! But again this is seen only with magnification along with the majority of the stones' any other eccentricities. These variances between stones are typical, as no two antique diamonds are exactly alike.

The prongs are all in great shape so this one is ready for daily wear. Special antique setting not commonly found.

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:
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