Georgian Closed Back Ring

[mausketeer]

Hi everybody - does anyone here have much experience with foil backed rings? I am looking for a unique engagement ring and have just fallen in love with a Georgian navette style with a closed (foiled) back. See pics (I know the centre diamond is already discoloured from the silver, that doesn''t bother me at all) My main worry is that as an every day ring, I will forget to take it off before I wash my hands and I think this could damage the silver further? What could happen to it other than the silver tarnishing? Would it be a major undertaking to have the stones removed so the silver could be polished or perhaps replaced with white gold so there would be no more tarnishing? Any advice is appreciated...... thanks......

Jodie M.

 

[glitterata]

Hi, Jodie--

I love those Georgian gems too! So romantic. But I don''t think it would make a good engagement ring if you plan to wear it every day.

Having the stones removed, cleaned, and reset would hurt the value of the ring if it''s in original condition. Similarly, lining the setting with white gold or some such would hurt the value of the piece. If the diamonds are "foil backed"--set with a shiny metal film behind them--the backing may be fragile, and you''re sure sooner or later to get it wet or otherwise damage it further. The silver holding the diamonds will tarnish and be hard to clean (though you might not mind that). And silver is a soft metal and may not safely hold the diamonds over a lifetime.

I love that ring and think it would make a great ring for occasional wear, but not for wearing day in, day out.

If what appeals to you is the look rather than the history, maybe you could work with a jeweler to reproduce a ring like that in modern materials.

 

[LGK]

I absolutely agree- these types of rings are beautiful, fragile antiques and would not likely stand up to daily wear. Unfortunately- they''re very cool.

You might enjoy checking out some of the current Indian rose cut production... many of them are turning up on eBay these days, and in antique stores. They''re sort-of-rose-cuts with the silver setting/backing; a lot of them are advertised as antique rose cuts, but after you see a few it''s pretty easy to tell which are the new Indian ones. Just a possibile option.

 

[mausketeer]

Thanks guys - I think you confirmed what I already kind of knew but didn''t want to admit because I love this ring so much (that it''s not a good idea for every day) I would hate to think I had damaged a 200 year old treasure like that so..... back to the search! I also love Edwardian jewellery and there are lots of those out there thankfully. I have my eye on a very interesting pear shaped mine cut from the early 1900''s that I think would be okay for every day.....

Yes, it''s interesting that they are cutting stones in rose cuts again, isn''t it? Just goes to show you that not everyone is obsessed with only fire and brilliance...... I really do prefer the look of the old cuts to the modern brilliant. At a certain point you can''t even see the stone (with all the facets I mean) I love the chunky old facets - you really appreciate that you are looking at an actual ROCK, you know? Then again, I love science and geology, maybe that''s where that comes from......

Merry Christmas everyone!

- Jodie M -