ABOUT:
A gorgeous showstopper totaling over 2 carats in a toi et moi setting. Two old mine cuts measuring around 1 carat each meet at at angle set in ornate crown prongs with two additional chunky diamonds in between for a little added glint of sparkle.
For antique diamonds, these wonderful old mine cuts have a noticeable fire and a nice clarity, one of the larger being eye clean. An elegant setting with forked shoulders leads up to the diamonds which are propped up to be the star of the show.
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.
Sturdy shank and setting. Found in France. No hallmarks remain which is actually common for French pieces as they are marked in the back and often lost during a sizing or from wear. But sold to me from a reputable source in France where the standard is 18k and tested to confirm.
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. Very fun to wear this one, what is in my mind a quite substantial and eye catching piece.
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: 7 3/4
Weight: a sturdy 6.7 grams
Ring face north south and east west measurement: 15mm each way.
Height off finger: 7mm.
The large diamonds are around 1 carat each, one a little over a one a little under because it isn't as deep a cut and is a bit more "spready." They are each about 6.8mm (a modern brilliant has a diameter of 6.5mm to give you an idea of scale). The little guys in between are about 2.5mm. Estimated total carat weight is a little over 2 carats.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
One of the large diamonds is eye clean, the other has an indented natural inclusion on one facet just outside the crown and a small smattering of natural inclusions in one area with some tiny carbon specks, and some crystal and silk inclusions these are slightly eye visible if you are looking for them and can also catch the light in direct sun.
The largest stones do have some evidence of their age, some bumps and bruises acquired during their 100 plus years. One has a chip to the girdle which extends to a shallow flake of loss to the surface leaving a frosty unpolished area, this is eye visible again when you turn the stone to catch the surface in a reflection where you can see the difference in texture. The diamond still appears complete in the setting and fills the space within the prongs and the stone is still stable without being in danger of cracking or any further chipping. The other stone has some nicks and nibbles to one area of the girdle. This is less eye visible and only slightly seen if you are seeking it out. The zoom photos will exaggerate these things much more than normal wear.
Also typical for antique stones, they possess a slight warm, also in part to how they were cut and how they face slightly outward instead of straight down. I love antique diamonds, even those with inclusions or hues typical for the time, because some of those were still among the best available in the limited market during that period, and were expertly cut by hand to enhance their best characteristics. So I don’t often like to compare antique stones against modern grading standards for machine cut diamonds cut by the millions each year - but these diamonds have a particularly lovely fire reflecting a noticeable flash, it sparkles really beautifully. I'm amazed by it now as I wear it in low light how glittery and bright it still is.
The ornate prongs are all in great shape.
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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