XL 2.5 Carats FIVE Stone Old Mine Cut DIAMOND Gypsy Ring Wide Band 18k Gold Solid Chunky Antique Edwardian Victorian Stacker OmC Man Unisex

I always carry a big assortment of antique jewelry. These items have been hand picked, one treasure at a time from all around Europe and the USA as I try to curate a collection of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

ABOUT:

My best selling antique ring styles as of late are daisy clusters, gypsy rings and stackable diamond bands, I always say I can't seem to get enough of them and this one combined two styles - the five stone stackable diamond band and the gypsy setting.

This is a Victorian one in a really large finger size so definitely a candidate for a man ring or a unisex stacker. Super versatile design with the five impactful diamonds totaling 2.5 carats. This one is priced pretty well imho for carat weight due to the size so it is an impactful option.

This one had the shank rebuilt to accommodate the larger finger size and bows out a bit towards the back (wider than the ring face to a make it fit a larger finger) so it should be able to be sized back down pretty significantly. Best to discuss those options with your local jeweler who would be doing the work as opinions can vary with modern jewelers working on antiques.

The ring face from diamond to diamond is about 18.5mm so about a size 8.5 or 9 as it curves against a finger, I mention this because bending the ring face in sizing is one of the caveats when stones are set there, so it would be something to mention to your jeweler that the top of the ring is smaller than the way the back of the shank flares out. So it's possible they could minimize the back half of the ring down more than the usual 2 sizes, without bending the ring face to the point where stones could come free if that makes sense. I have shown a picture of the ring lying over a size 9 ring sizer to try and display what I am explaining here with the way the ring has a larger back to it.

The shank was reworked in the 1960s as evidenced by the later hallmark for 18k, London, date 1967 and the faint difference in hue for a small seam at each shoulder. I'm sure they used all the original parts but had to add additional gold to make it so large in size. The old mine cut diamonds and the setting, particularly the ring face and probably more, are older and from the Victorian period. May have been a family piece that was sized up for a lovely gent.

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 color grade of H which I received when purchasing it. See clarity notes below as it varies from stone to stone.

I love the geometry on this one, with the five old mine cuts of graduating sizes set into square bezels. It's a nice and sturdy, glowing gold band, but with the added sparkle of the old cut diamonds. Layers well with other pieces!

Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos. I'm including a pic on Mr. Mouse's hand to give a better idea of fit since it is quite a fair bit too large for me.

MEASUREMENTS:

Very large finger size at 12 3/4. It weighs 7.7 grams.

The center diamond is about 5.8mm and is a spready cut, measuring about .65 carat and facing up larger, (over 3/4 carat by mm compared to a modern diamond). The flanking diamonds are about 5.3mm with varying depths, measuring .55 and .67 carats, despite the fact that they face up the same size (the deeper cut of the one increases the carat weight).
The end stones are 4.5mm slightly more cushioned and 4.1mm more round, measuring .35 carat and .3 carat.

Total carat weight is a little over 2.5 carats, again facing up a bit larger on the hand for the center stone.

It is 7.3mm north south at the ring face, sloping in slightly at the shoulders to 5.3mm (where the original ring face remains) and then widening at the back to 6.8mm (where the sizing up was done).

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
The end stones have sturdy bead prongs, the three center stones show more wear with slight movement to them. The stones do not come free but for daily wear, you'd want to have a tiny bead of gold added which could be done during the sizing to reinforce the face.

See notes above about the shank, I included a picture of it on a ring sizer - the black sizer ring being a size 9 to demonstrate how the ring face aligns and the space is added at the back, just to help visualize what I'm getting at. One other note about the setting - the one diamond is a deeper cut and extends out the back of the ring face to make contact with the finger. With the open culet it is not super sharp and not really noticeable while wearing, except when sliding against the finger.

Typical antique diamonds with some natural inclusions. Nothing dark or glaring but some frosty spots and lines and crystals. The largest center diamond is nearly eye clean but for some needle inclusions that would be slightly eye visible if you have excellent vision. They run through four different spots of the stone, some with a bit of carbon but since they are the tiniest of needles, it is not glaring and there are no large inky spots. Of the smaller stones, the two end stones are eye clean. One has eye visible crystal inclusions with a pale brown spot, the other has a few crystal formations and a smattering of carbon. Also typical antique diamonds with some varying slight warmth to gray. Some rub marks to the vertical edges from having been stacked with other pieces.

The edge of the shank is a bit blunt but a lot of gold so the shank is quite sturdy. It's a beast and impactful with all the nice sized diamonds!

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 : )

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

SOCIAL:
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