bluelotus
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2013
- Messages
- 257
For those of you who have seen this ring on Antique & Vintage Jewelry forgive the double posting. . .
I am starting this thread to share with you a wonderful find and to confirm a good restoration bench.
I acquired this ring yesterday from a private seller with whom I negotiated a sale after having discovered it on ebay. I can tell you that without all of you I would never have been able to recognize this treasure, let alone negotiate a private transaction without certs! I had purchased a stone in May to copy a beautiful art deco ring I had seen at auction but found it difficult to finesse the CAD designs to my liking and so decided to look for a nice vintage ring instead. I love antiques and the stories objects can tell and so was intrigued to discover a listing for an antique mens ring that had an interesting family history that places it in the early 1920s with its original stone. The rather poor photographs in the listing seemed to suggest that the stone was a good one so I requested more photos from the seller after the ring failed to sell.
The diamond had been appraised a number of times as a 2.17 ct H/I VS by the seller's father but was never certed. My appraiser thought it might be closer to a J but I have no desire to unset the stone to find out. In any event, it appears to be an early MRB with a smallish table, open culet, thin girdle, and long lgfs. DreamerD, I'll post specs on the stone once I find out what the appraiser can ascertain. According to the seller, the ring was made by her grandfather after a trip to Europe (or was it England?) where he purchased diamonds. This one he kept for himself and had the ring made in the US. I am thrilled to find such a beautiful setting with a stone that shows how early these modern stones were being cut. Al Gilbertson's book has been a fascinating read on this story and helped to make this ring especially interesting to me given the fact that the diamond is original to the ring. I am also happy to have found a men's ring with a beautifully cut stone. I am always on the lookout for interesting jewelry and get the sense that diamonds of a lesser quality often end up in mens rings . . . or is it that nice diamonds in men's rings get harvested and rings with less desirable stones remain?
In any event, the diamond appears to have been flanked by what were probably calibre cut sapphires. I combed PS yesterday to look at postings on platinum milgrain restoration and found many recommendations for Single Stone. I contacted SS and was told that restoration of the side stones (either synthetic or natural ) can be done. In the process of looking at threads I also discovered Circe's thread that documents the nightmare she had to endure when she decided to alter the prongs of her vintage setting. And so, I wonder if I should simply leave the setting alone. Can I expect to have this kind of restoration done without too much risk? I do think the ring will be smashing with the side stones restored. Thoughts and recommendations appreciated!
I am starting this thread to share with you a wonderful find and to confirm a good restoration bench.
I acquired this ring yesterday from a private seller with whom I negotiated a sale after having discovered it on ebay. I can tell you that without all of you I would never have been able to recognize this treasure, let alone negotiate a private transaction without certs! I had purchased a stone in May to copy a beautiful art deco ring I had seen at auction but found it difficult to finesse the CAD designs to my liking and so decided to look for a nice vintage ring instead. I love antiques and the stories objects can tell and so was intrigued to discover a listing for an antique mens ring that had an interesting family history that places it in the early 1920s with its original stone. The rather poor photographs in the listing seemed to suggest that the stone was a good one so I requested more photos from the seller after the ring failed to sell.
The diamond had been appraised a number of times as a 2.17 ct H/I VS by the seller's father but was never certed. My appraiser thought it might be closer to a J but I have no desire to unset the stone to find out. In any event, it appears to be an early MRB with a smallish table, open culet, thin girdle, and long lgfs. DreamerD, I'll post specs on the stone once I find out what the appraiser can ascertain. According to the seller, the ring was made by her grandfather after a trip to Europe (or was it England?) where he purchased diamonds. This one he kept for himself and had the ring made in the US. I am thrilled to find such a beautiful setting with a stone that shows how early these modern stones were being cut. Al Gilbertson's book has been a fascinating read on this story and helped to make this ring especially interesting to me given the fact that the diamond is original to the ring. I am also happy to have found a men's ring with a beautifully cut stone. I am always on the lookout for interesting jewelry and get the sense that diamonds of a lesser quality often end up in mens rings . . . or is it that nice diamonds in men's rings get harvested and rings with less desirable stones remain?
In any event, the diamond appears to have been flanked by what were probably calibre cut sapphires. I combed PS yesterday to look at postings on platinum milgrain restoration and found many recommendations for Single Stone. I contacted SS and was told that restoration of the side stones (either synthetic or natural ) can be done. In the process of looking at threads I also discovered Circe's thread that documents the nightmare she had to endure when she decided to alter the prongs of her vintage setting. And so, I wonder if I should simply leave the setting alone. Can I expect to have this kind of restoration done without too much risk? I do think the ring will be smashing with the side stones restored. Thoughts and recommendations appreciated!
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