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Antique 18K Gold and Diamond Five Stone Ring
$15,500
This antique diamond ring is composed of five old European-cut diamonds, approximate total weight 2.30 carats, set in gold with a delicately scrolling gallery. Interspersed with additional smaller rose-cut diamonds to fill every possible space among the larger stones, the band flashes with brilliance, and sparkles with subtle rainbow gleams on the finger. The shoulders of the ring are subtly incised with swirls flowing into the deeper hand carved work of the open gallery. Small and precious, this graceful little ring sparkles on any finger.
- Product Details
- Curator's Notes
Item #: R-21287
Country: most likely England
Circa: 1900
Size: 6.5 (this ring can be sized; please contact the gallery for further information)
Materials: 5 old European-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 2.30 carats); 8 rose-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 0.08 carat); 18K Gold
In the late 19th century, jewelers looked not only to the Art Nouveau for aesthetic inspiration but also, as here, back to 18th century diamond creations to express love for luxury. For these 5 stone "half" hoops of diamonds and colored stones, jewelers increasingly reduced the precious metal to concentrate focus on the gems. In contrast to 18th century mountings, in which the gems were enclosed with metal backings, these rings' delicate, open galleries minimize the gold settings that block light reflection and transmission, offering the stones set "a-jour" - in other words, maximally "open to the day". These more graceful, minimalist settings ensured that the diamonds would blaze with light.
Gently tapering, this ring works beautifully with other diamond, gemmy, or plain period bands to create a sparkling stack for the finger.
Unlike modern cuts—which maximize brilliance (white light)—antique cuts take advantage of diamond’s unmatched capacities for white light return, rainbow flashes, and scintillation, by achieving a beautiful balance of the three.