Sizing black enamel diamond ring

[natascha]

Hi,
old time lurker asking for help again. My engagement ring is from 1866 and has a black enamel decor, the problem is that I need to size it. I was wondering if special considerations need to be taken.

I live in Sweden and lets just say that it is not easy to find someone with the knowledge of working with antique jewlery. Those we bought it from should be able to do it but they want 10 days to do it. Since I am newly engaged I dont want to give upp my ring for two weeks, so the question is can a normal goldsmith do it?

Another question is how do I calculate approx. how big the diamond is? It is an old mine cut 6,89x6,17x3,62.

Dont have any fotos but a link to it on the vendors page is http://www.kaplans.se/Kaplans/AuctionArt.aspx?vId=647188&plT=10888404&AuktID=1991
Hopefully I can take pictures soon.
Thank you.

 

[iota15]

Oh geez, I don't know what you should be aware of - but... that ring is GORGEOUS! Please post more pictures! that setting is just amazing.

It's difficult to ascertain carat weight with just the face-up measurements, but it's probably closing in on (but under) one carat.

I would only have someone entirely knowledgeable and fully competent with antique/enamel rings touch that baby. Even jewelers that have been around for a long time can mess up an heirloom - and you are never going to be able to replace something that unique.

If you need a temporary fix (assuming you need it sized down), some ladies have wrapped the underside of their ring in elastics/cloth with tape/anything that'll hold and not make a mess. This can keep the ring on your finger for a while but of course, be careful and check on it from time to time.

 

[Upgradable]

What a fabulously gorgeous ring!!! Congratulations on your engagement.

You're probably not going to like what I have to say, but waiting 10 days to have the job done right is worth a lifetime of tears if the ring becomes damaged by someone who is not familiar with working with delicate enameling! PLEASE, do not let anyone touch this who is not incredibly familiar with refurbing vintage pieces!!!! Enameling is very delicate and it doesn't take much to chip it. And it is important to develop a trust with a competent jeweler who can maintain this one of a kind piece appropriately.

Again, what a lovely piece!

 

[natascha]

Boo it ate my post, twice!

I wanted to say that I am truly sorry for not responding before.
Thank you so much for the kind words and advice Iota and Upgradable. It feels really good to get such nice comments about my ring.
I am trying to post some bad mobile pics but it does not work, is there any thread or something describing how?

I have decided not to size the ring and instead reset it with a garnet and put in sizing beads. Hopefully that way both the ring and the diamond will be safe for several more genarations. Hope you don't hate me for it.

I am so happy with both the ring and the stone, just not togheter. Can't shake the feeling that it started it's life as a mourning ring and that it isn't really protecting the diamond. So I am hoping to reset the diamond into an art decoish halo.

Looking down at my hand makes me happy every day. I think one o my friends comment says it all " Ohh it has so many colours in it!" It really outperforms all the stones I have seen in this size, both antique and modern.

But how do I learn to embrace the whiteness?

 

[rocks]

your ring is gorgeous, and you really should send it back to the vendor to have it sized. that goes for adding sizing beads as well. most jewelers do not know how to work with enamel. it is a lost art.

 

[natascha]

Finally got some resized photos.
Did a thread in show me the ring since it seems to get more traffic. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-omc-engagement-ring-with-black-enamel.155485/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-omc-engagement-ring-with-black-enamel.155485/[/URL]
Thank you