ABOUT:
I think this is my largest gypsy solitaire to date and wow is it a beast. The heavy, glowing 22k wide band setting holds a large and fiery bezel set, eye clean (!) old mine cut diamond measuring around 2 carats.
It's an exceptional stone with a special setting to match, with the heavy hand feel of 17.6 grams. It is a delight to hold and slip on and off the finger with the weight and quality of it. It also feels wonderful as the inside of the shank is comfort fit with rounded edges to slip it on and off smoothly.
Gypsy bands are always very popular in the shop. It's a smaller size but could otherwise be considered unisex as these rings are popular with men and women. The gypsy ring was incredibly popular during the Victorian era into the early 1900s and its timeless design remains an ever favored and wearable choice for today. This ring is substantial enough to wear alone but also layers well with other pieces.
This European find is scarce and sought after for a few reasons - the first is that all antique hand cut diamonds of course have a more limited supply since they are no longer made in this way. There are only so many in existence compared to the millions of carats of modern machine cut diamonds made every year. These have withstood the test of time.
The second is the quality of the stone. It is a shame when antique hand cut diamonds are considered to have "imperfections" when comparing them to modern machine cut diamonds with mathematically perfected facets. These were hand cut by experts to accentuate their best qualities and any quirks or eccentricities are actually expected and accepted as a part of their one of a kind charm! So the Four C's grading scale which came about much much later doesn't actually translate well to antique stones and often doesn't do them justice. Having said that, this antique diamond is actually exceptional for the period in both color, clarity, condition and fire. Nonetheless I will pass along the "grades" as they were given to me of VVS in clarity and H-J in color.
As it was found in Europe, it has their numerical hallmarks for gold. It is stamped inside 900 (for 900 parts per 1000) pure gold - or 21.6 carats (rounds closest to 22k gold). Such a gorgeous pure gold glow.
Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
Size 5 3/4 on my mandrel. It does seem to fit a bit more snugly due to the width but it does still fit larger than a 5 1/2. I always recommend showing pictures to your local jeweler for sizing advice since everyone's skill and opinion are different. The ring face 9.5mm north south. The shank is wide all the way around at 7.6mm. It is 5.3mm tall off the finger with the high crown of the diamond. It weighs a very sturdy 17.6g.
I do not remove my stones from their antique settings for exact measurements but the diamond measures about 7.5mm with a chunky depth. Thickness of the girdle can't be viewed, nor can the exact diameter of the stone which is encased in the bezel and extends further an unknown amount but estimated carat weight is about 2 carats.
CONDITION NOTES:
All my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. As mentioned previously this is an exceptional antique diamond. I look at antique diamonds all day every day. I love all antique diamonds, even those with inclusions or hues typical for the time, because some of those were still among the best available in the market during that period but this one is special. Zero nicks nibbles or damage, zero eye visible inclusions and even under magnification, no inclusions jump out. It is a fiery stone as well.
Really the only thing to report would be the nicks and scratches to the gold, being a softer gold at 22k. This wear is most evident on the back of the shank, since the palm of the hand comes into contact with surfaces. But there are some signs of wear on the bezel as well. Having said that, the piece could not be any sturdier or ready to wear. Both the shank and the bezel are super thick solid 22k gold. So this one is ready for daily wear with an exceptional stone. The surface wear could be buffed up to brand spanking shiny new by any local jeweler but most of my customers prefer original condition.
There are no dark spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it can reflect its surroundings. Please also note that I take some photos / videos in the sunshine because it captures the lovely color and sparkle, but it also highlights any surface wear, scratches, abrasions, buildup or inclusions that can catch the light, making these things appear worse than they would with normal day to day wear. : ) Hopefully the pics in all lightning conditions help as they serve as part of the description.
I enjoy making my customers happy and matching unique pieces with new homes. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions! It means a lot to me that you are visiting my shop! : )
Will be sent with expedited shipping, signature and insurance at my cost.
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 : )
Box#smt.1@2$
