Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert needed

[EvaEvans]

Hi guys! I rarely write here although I read regularly this forum...
Now I need your advice, please help!
I acquired a rare antique gold ring set with big old cut diamonds that have closed foil back. The ring has European provenance and it has been kept for many years through three generations as family heirloom. The ring is in superb condition and has antique value being made prior 1900.
Now I'm the owner of this Antique beauty. I need jeweler appraiser expert in Antique jewelry to estimate and grade these rose cut diamonds and to valuate the antique value of the ring. I abstain to go to the local jewelers as they are not experts in antiques.
Please advice some really good Jewelry appraiser specialist in Antique jewelry. I live in Northern Virginia but I can send the ring by mail to any US location if the jeweler has this practice.
Thanks in advance!

 

[EvaEvans]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

This is the ring:

 

[planet_jp]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

I can't answer your question, but just want to say, "Wow! How lucky you are to have inherited such a fantastic piece!"

 

[Luce]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

Hand shots please!!!! Beautiful ring!

 

[EvaEvans]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

 

[jewelrymouse]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

Hello, I don't know of an appraiser, but from your description, if the backs are closed and the diamonds are foiled, it is almost certainly Georgian, an era which ended in 1830. Your ring is absolutely incredible! The Victorians did not foil stones nor have closed backs like that. You are a lucky woman!

 

[jewelrymouse]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

Just a thought. You might want to start following diamondsinthelibrary on instagram, Facebook, website and/or twitter. When you see what she is showing you will see why. She is in contact with all of the fine antique jewelry specialty stores on the East coast, and you might ask her if she has a suggestion for an appraiser. But wait until next week; she's at the Miami show right now and I'm sure will be too busy to answer.

 

[Demerara]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

You can use the search function of various appraiser associations.
ASA (American Society of Appraisers)
NAJA (National Association of Jewelry Appraisers)
ISA (International Society of Appraisers)
AAA (Appraisers Association of America)
AGS (American Gem Society)
RMVP (Registered Master Valuer Program)

Be aware that sometimes, closed back Georgian jewelry turns out to be foiled glass. Antoinette Matlins, a wellknown gemologist, wrote extensively about this problem in her books. Be sure to get this checked by the appraiser.

 

[EvaEvans]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

Thank you, guys, for your replays!
Let me add two more things that I know about the ring. I cannot know how pre-1900 this ring is, I only know that around 1910 one of my great-great-grandfathers, who was a jeweler, split the jewelry that he had between his children. Also, this ring was checked at an auction house in Austria and they estimate the diamond total weight to be approximate 4 carats. I'm considering to go next week to a local jewelry appraiser for whom I read good reviews on Internet. I also will contact diamondsinthelibrary as jewelrymouse adviced me. As soon as I have more information about the ring I'll let you know.
Thanks again for your participation in my inquiry!
This is a video of the ring:
http://gallery.evaevans.com/videos/7.swf

 

[jewelrymouse]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

I could look at your video all day! What an incredible ring! I've just been studying Victorian jewelry for the past 6 months, but judging from the loads of rings I have looked at, this would not have been made a long time before 1900. Just WOW! Please let us know what they say, OK? Best to you!

 

[Hounddog]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

What a fantastic ring and extra special because of its historic family connections and age. Enjoy it, it's lovely.

[Unfortunately I can't seem to get the video to play.]

 

[AnnaH]

Re: Advice!Antique Rose cut Diamond ring Appraiser Expert ne

Wow! Beautiful! Interested in what you learn.