How old is this ring? Great-grandma''s or great-great grandma''s?

[longtimelurker]

I received this ring after my grandma died at 89 last year, and finally had access to a decent camera...how old do you think this ring is? What style is it?

It sure looks to me like a mine-cut diamond (including naturals on the girdle that some (maul) jewelry store personnel think are chips. I can see the open culet. But what about the ring?

It appears hand-made to me...it''s not 100% symetrical. But it''s stamped 14k, so it can''t be more than xxx years old.

The gold had oxodized under the diamond to a greenish color, which, unfortunately is now missing since I had the prongs re-tipped. Don''t shoot me...it was pre-pricescope & wasn''t done by someone who appreciates old jewelry.

Thanks for any clues.

 

[longtimelurker]

another view

 

[longtimelurker]

another view

 

[longtimelurker]

sorry the pictures are so giant, but...here's the last one

 

[lmurden]

Get it appraised and make sure the appraiser has time to answer all of your questions.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

The diamond does indeed appear to be a late Old Mine Cut, probably circa 1890 or so.

The ring mounting, however, looks to me to be from a later period. It's hard to pin down from the photo, but it doesn't look earlier than the late 1940's to me, and could easily be later.

 

[longtimelurker]

Thanks Rich!

I've considered getting it appraised, but wanted to ask for help from the collective wisdom of pricescope, since the ring is worth about what an appraisal would cost! The diamond is maybe in the .2-.3 range.

The family lore is this was my great-grandmother's, but that she did not start out with a diamond ring at the time of her marriage around 1910. So who knows if it started out in a different setting in the family and was reset, or purchased that way later. It might not even be hers, since it was just hiding in grandma's jewelry box, and not even her daughters were sure.

 

[glitterata]

However old it turns out to be, it's a very sweet and pretty ring. Wear it in health & happiness.

(Not a useful comment, I know, but a sincere one.)

 

[LuvthatSparkle]

I have a similar ring in rose gold with an emerald in the center, it's from the Victorian era about 1890 - 1910. If you take it to an antique jeweler in your area I'm sure they can give you a retail value, just from looking at it. I paid about $250 for mine however emeralds are less expensive.

 

[denverappraiser]

Longtime,

It doesn't sound like you need an appraisal unless you are planning to sell it, donate it, or otherwise engage in a transaction that requires documentation. Even with examination it will be impossible to assign an exact date to the piece and, as you point out, the fees are likely to be a substantial portion of the value of the ring. Since it's primary value to you is the sentiment attached and the wonderful family history that is associated with it, there is no possiblity for an insurance to replace it with 'like kind' in case of a loss and it's relatively likely that the value will be below the deductible on your policy in any case.

Wear it in good health, preserve it for your own granddaughter and carry on a fantastic family legacy.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[Rank Amateur]

It has a very small table to be sure, but how do you guys know the age of the stone?