UNIQUE Antique 1 1/4 Carat 10 Mixed Cut DIAMOND Grid Panel Custom Ring 18k Gold Rectangular Tall Lozenge Old Mine Cut & Modern Brilliant

Quirky alert!

I love geometric / shaped rings and this rectangular grid (or panel or lozenge) ring is a fun one! It's unique in that two of the diamonds are chunky old mine cuts, while the rest are modern brilliants. This is almost certainly a case where someone took the antique diamonds from another piece, likely a relative's from a previous generation, and had it sent into a later (still vintage) setting with modern brilliants added to increase the sparkle.

The result is a unique cluster with both old and new cuts totaling 1 1/4 carat. They reflect the light differently while wearing which draws the eye in an interesting way, and the best part is turning the piece sideways where you can see the high crowns of the two chunky old mine cuts doming out compared to the surrounding modern brilliants. The setting itself is also interesting with linear gallery holding the ring face up high off the finger.

I wish I knew the stories this piece could tell, as far as who owned the antique diamonds and their relation to the person who created the cluster with the old stones. Certainly a one of a kind / custom made piece.

Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.

HALLMARKS:
No hallmarks remain which is common for French pieces as they are marked in the back and often lost during a sizing. But sold to me from a reputable source in France where the standard is 18k and tested to confirm. The shank has a rosy glow and the ring face is in white gold.

MEASUREMENTS:
Exact depth / carat weight of the diamonds is unknown as I would not remove them. The two old mine cuts are 4mm and the two larger modern brilliants in the center are 3.5mm each. The six smaller modern brilliants, three on each end are 2.5mm each. Using online calculators and estimates I am getting over 1 1/4 Carats total weight in diamonds / 1.25Tdw

The ring is a size 7 and weighs 3.9g. The ring face is 14x8.2mm and stands 8mm tall off the finger.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

The two old mines have a warmer hue typical for antique stones, with a moodier sparkle - they are faceted of course differently and a more cushioned shape and therefore reflect the light differently than the round modern brilliants which read a brighter white.   I tried to capture it in photos but in some light the difference in stones is more noticeable so I wanted to give a heads up about that - adds to its quirkiness : ). No glaring inclusions even under magnification, nothing eye visible and no dark or carbon specks. No chips, nicks or nibbles, the stones are all in great condition. The prongs are in good shape as well.

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 : )

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:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on insta for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews!

I am back from my inventory trip to Europe with quite a lot of antique treasures to share with you! I also have one additional inventory trip to Europe this fall so I will be rolling out new pieces almost every week from now, all the way until the holidays. Please stay tuned and feel free to follow on Instagram!

About Antique Diamonds:

The whole "4 C's" of cut, color, clarity, carat didn't come about until the 1940s so prior to that and especially on antique pieces, there was not as much emphasis placed on those things. (Sure people probably appreciated a certain look of a certain diamond as it appeared to the eye but it was not a graded scale like we have today.) So it is difficult to judge antique stones against modern day diamonds and their grading system. No two old cuts are the same as they were crafted in times lacking any modern standards. The diamond cutters of the time were experts at hand cutting each stone to enhance it which means that even lower color grades can be cut to appear whiter. (Although it is also worth noting that many antique collectors prefer and seek out antique diamonds with warmer hues.)

It is also interesting that "lower graded" diamonds in today's scale system, were some of the best on the market during this period! So it is less about their grades and more about the unique play of light and color that each one can offer. I read one article that put it: “When searching for the perfect old cut diamond (for you), you need to view them through different eyes as you would for a modern diamond, Laboratory grading reports don’t offer too much information in regards to their individual beauty or sparkle which are based more on their individual character and uniqueness that each one potentially offers.”

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