ABOUT:
I apologize for my impatience but this one is just too good to wait on! Unfortunately there is no sun in the forecast here in our Minnesota winter so I have to move forward and list this beauty without its full sparkle factor. If it remains available and we get some sun, I'll try to update the listing to her full glory - she's a special one!
Exceptional antique five stone old cut diamond band! Diamond bands always do well in the shop and I think this is the largest one I've ever had on offer. This comfortable to wear, low profile antique is set with around 3.3 carats of nice sized old mine cut diamonds in a unique closed back setting with sleek bezels encircling the north and south edges. The center stone alone is around one carat.
The diamonds are nested perfectly together so the inside girdle edges of each stone are almost touching, while the bezel scallops along the top and bottom edges of the stones. Very unique setting and high quality fabrication, gives it an almost cloud like appearance. Exceptional sparkle and bright in color - despite the closed back the stones are full of life and not dull or dingy, with no major rust or muddiness or discoloration behind. I actually stacked it with another five stone band from my personal collection that is very popular on Instagram, and the diamonds on this one appear brighter in hue than that, and many of the other warmer antique rings of the period. All the ones I stacked it with are open back settings and this one still jumps out in brightness, color and reflectivity.
This really makes the perfect stacker because its low profile setting drapes across the finger to layer well with other gold or diamond bands. It would even be interesting in a wedding set. Yet it is substantial enough in size to shine alone as well. Very comfortable to wear, the smooth ring face doesn't catch on clothing so your chunky knit sweaters are safe! I took approximately one million photos of it stacked and layered with several other pieces in the shop and in my collection so please feel free to reach out for more examples of how it wears. You can also see my website listing which has more pictures than the ones allowed here.
The ring reads very Georgian era in fabrication with the foiled, closed back. But it is later as it is not uncommon for Georgian era trends and designs to carry over into later periods. It is definitely still antique, presumedly early 1900s (French pieces do not have dated stamps).
Found in France with their hallmarks for 18k gold with a goldsmith stamp. The shank has a slightly rosy hue to the gold, along with the gold washing over the back of the ring face while the diamonds are set in a white precious metal - white gold or platinum (I don't scratch test settings around stones for fear of damaging but it is one of those two).
Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.
MEASUREMENTS:
Size: 6 3/4, slightly snug.
Ring face: 7.4mm north south and 3.8mm tall off the finger to the crown of the center stone. East west span of about 20mm across the finger.
Weight: 4.1g.
Carat weights are estimates as I would not remove them from the antique setting and the depths cannot be determined while they are set in the closed back setting. I was told the center stone measures 1 carat which aligns with its 6.5mm diameter (a typical 6.5mm one carat machine cut modern brilliant measures 1 carat so we can actually assume the old mine cut being chunkier with likely a wider girdle is going to measure higher in carat weight.). The next two are 5.5mm each and the end stones 4.3mm. They widen out an unknown amount underneath the bezels and again depths cannot be determined but an estimated and even conservative carat weight here is 3.3 carats.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Stunning to wear with only one stone having two tiny frosty nicks on one edge just above the girdle that is not seen while wearing. There is no eye visible damage to any of the stones and the setting is sturdy and ready to wear. Although we should avoid getting these closed back pieces wet with the closed back.
Also for antique diamonds cut in much more limited supply compared to the millions of carats of machine cut diamonds produced each year now, they have a better than most clarity - four of the stones including the largest at center are eye clean. One stone second from the end has a linear carbon silk inclusion which is slightly eye visible. That was really the only inclusion we could find even studying the piece intently.
There is some cloudiness to the foil backing and a slight warmth but this is seen more under magnification when looking through the stone to inspect the backing. The smallest end stones have the most evidence of warmth. But the diamonds do not appear rusty, dull or lifeless in any way. They have a wonderful fire and reflectivity and are bright in color. None of the stones move and they are all set securely in the sturdy bezels so aside from avoiding water, this one is ready for regular wear!
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 : )
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! : )
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#dms.1@@4
