Art Deco E-ring Question

[Ms. Anne Thrope]

Hi everybody - new user name but old poster - I was on for a few years before under another name - changed it for various reasons I won't go into........ at that time I was engaged to someone else and bought a stone with help from this forum (thanks guys!) Things didn't work out (but hey, I got to keep it! It's a right hand ring now.....) I'm now engaged to a wonderful man! He gave me his family ring. Photos attached. I believe the centre stone is just shy of a carat? No idea of the colour or clarity although it's obviously an OEC or transitional that seems fairly white and clear to the naked eye (lost my loupe - need to get a new one). It is currently at the jewelers as there was a sizable crack where the centre portion (the "navette" shape) was coming off the shank on one side. Once it is repaired, I will have it appraised (I already have someone here in Vancouver who appraised my last e-ring, also an old stone).

I have a question about it for those of you who know a lot about antique and vintage jewelry: I had assumed that he would have to rhodium plate it after the repair because the solder would show as a different colour, but he said it would be my choice (the ring is 14 karat white gold). Would a ring from that era have been rhodium plated originally or would it have been left the natural colour? I want to keep it as original as possible. I would LIKE it rhodium plated but not if it's not "correct" for the ring, you know?

Any help or comments are appreciated...... thank-you!

 

[Ms. Anne Thrope]

One more from the top - noticed photos seem to all be taken from the side......

 

[LGK]

Oh wow, gorgeous ring! How awesome to get a lovely family piece like that.

An antique 14K ring will be much whiter than a modern one- very high nickel content saw to that. Unfortunately many of us are allergic to nickel, so they don't use as much in the alloy mix anymore, hence the yellower color of modern 14K. Yes, the repairs will stand out as being yellowish- I've had antique 14K rings worked on before, and I've always been able to see the color difference. I'd rhodium plate it. It may not be period correct, but the mis-matched repair solder would irritate me more.

 

[Ms. Anne Thrope]

Thanks "Kitten"! I was hoping you'd chime in on this one since you have so much experience with vintage pieces. Thanks for the compliments on the ring - it IS lovely, isn't it? I'm lucky in so many ways with this one (the man AND the ring!) You know, I bought my former e-ring stone from YOU! lol. Small world, huh? (remember that pinkish/silver 1.08 transitional OEC? My former fiance and I didn't work out but I kept the stone because I love it so much - so unusual. I had it put onto a wide lacey rose gold band and wear it on my right hand. I'll post photos if you are interested.....).

Anyways, I wasn't sure how much of the repair would show but since it IS right at the top of the shank it will be very visible. I will take your advice and rhodium plate it...... I have another vintage ring that I am currenly wearing on my right hand that is rhodium plated so now they will match at least (although now I have too many rings - hmmmm - no room for my rose gold one anymore.....) What a terrible dilemma! lol

 

[LGK]

Thanks "Kitten"! I was hoping you'd chime in on this one since you have so much experience with vintage pieces. Thanks for the compliments on the ring - it IS lovely, isn't it? I'm lucky in so many ways with this one (the man AND the ring!) You know, I bought my former e-ring stone from YOU! lol. Small world, huh? (remember that pinkish/silver 1.08 transitional OEC? My former fiance and I didn't work out but I kept the stone because I love it so much - so unusual. I had it put onto a wide lacey rose gold band and wear it on my right hand. I'll post photos if you are interested.....).

Anyways, I wasn't sure how much of the repair would show but since it IS right at the top of the shank it will be very visible. I will take your advice and rhodium plate it...... I have another vintage ring that I am currenly wearing on my right hand that is rhodium plated so now they will match at least (although now I have too many rings - hmmmm - no room for my rose gold one anymore.....) What a terrible dilemma! lol

Of course I remeber you! So glad to see you back & happily engaged I'm so glad the pinkish stone ended up at home on your RH. I would totally love to see it's final home!

I have had to rhodium plate a '50s RHR awhile back after repairs. It was a bit more bright-white but not distractingly so. Oh and FYI I know rhodium plate can be removed, but I'm not sure if it would damage millgrain or not (like if it's polished off or what). Maybe someone else knows...?

I know right? What torture to have to decide what sparkly to wear every AM

 

[reader]

(I want to see pics of the pinky RHR too, if you don't mind.)