Description

Intricate and substantial - this platinum diamond ring with sapphire accents dates to the late Edwardian to early Art Deco period....

Solid platinum, the ring features a total of 18 bright and sparkly old cut diamonds and 4 triangular cut blue sapphire...set amidst intricate filigree and elegant hand engraving. The total estimated diamond weight in the ring is approximately .85 carats, or so.

Two extremely fiery old European cut diamonds, set in double bordered milgrain edged settings with a stylized octagonal shape, are the focal points of the ring. Each diamond measures approximately 4 to 4.1 mm in diameter, for a total estimated carat weight of approximately .52 carats, or so. (perhaps slightly more given their chunky, old cuts) Very bright and sparkly, I would judge their color to be in the H-I range of near-colorless and they are both beautifully eye-clean. Under magnification I see only a very few teeny tiny imperfections. Both stones are in very good condition, and their bead settings also look fairly good, though I would recommend keeping an eye on them, and having them tightened, as needed.

At each outer corner of the large diamonds is a small bezel-set triangular shaped blue sapphire measuring approximately 2 x 2 x 2 mm. Likely lab created sapphires, as these were all the rage during this period, they have a medium to deep blue color and a French cut. They look great to the eye, though they do show some wear under magnification. Most of the original milgrain edging their settings is still present; only a very little bit has smoothed with time.

To either side of the central twin diamonds is a small chunky old single cut diamond bead-set into a pretty tulip shaped setting surrounded by milgrain and pierced work. These diamonds each measure approximately 2 mm in diameter and I would judge them to be in the H-I-J range of near-colorless. One has some inclusions and the other is very clean even under magnification; both are in good condition.

The gallery is absolutely gorgeous, with scrolling filigree and six small sparkling diamonds set on each side. These chunky old single cut diamonds range in size from approximately 1.3 to 2 mm in diameter, depending upon where in the design they are placed. I would judge them to be in the H-I range of near-colorless and eye-clean. Most of them are also clean under magnification, with a few having a few tiny inclusions seen only under magnification. They are in very good condition and the crisp milgrain defining their settings and accompanying scrollwork sets them off beautifully.

Another chunky single cut diamond is bead-set into the scrolling design at the lower shoulders - just above where the hand engraving of the band begins. Measuring approximately 2 mm in diameter, these diamonds match the other small diamonds in color, are eye-clean and each have an inclusion I can see under magnification. I would estimate the total carat weight of the small diamonds in the piece to be approximately .33 carats, or so, bringing the total estimated diamond weight in the ring to approximately .85 carats. Many of the small bead settings could use some re-tipping or re-beading (re-tipping is when more metal is added to the little bead settings and re-tipping is when the existing metal is simply reformed into a bead) I see one small old repair under magnification, just below one diamond at the lower shoulder. It's not very noticeable even under magnification, but is noted for accuracy and can be seen in macro photo # 3.

Original hand engraving with a leafy or wheat style design continues all the way around the band, on all three sides. Much of it is still nice and crisp, though it does show some expected wear on the lower part of the band.

In very good condition, the band shows no signs of ever having been sized and is still marked "platinum" inside. The ring has a very nice heft to it, weighing a total of 5.05 grams.

Fitting a size 7, this ring could be sized within reason by a good jeweler. If sized down, a skilled jeweler could likely minimize the disruption to the engraving at the back of the band - matching up the pattern and touching it up as needed. If it is sized up, I would expect a small area of polished platinum at the very back, or some touch up engraving could be considered to keep the engraved style uninterrupted.

*** I've also listed this piece in my Etsy shop, www.franziska.etsy.com. I offer a three day review period so you may decide if an item is right for you. I would need to be notified within three days of delivery if you wish to return an item, and the item would need to be returned within a specified time and in original condition. Return shipping is the Buyer's responsibility and original shipping costs are not refundable. Thank you! ***