1896 15k ring

[GirlCellist]

Hey all,

I found this lovely yesterday, and would love to know what you all think of it... I''m looking at it as a potential wedding ring.

A couple of questions-

Does something with this kind of taper work well against an engagement ring? Given its higher gold content, would it look strange against a 14k gold ring? My engagement ring is a 14k simple cathedral set with a 5.6mm ruby. I feel like it might be weird against a band that has a ruby in it as well, but maybe not!

It''s listed as coming from Birmingham, England in 1896, and is size "N" (I''ve seen that translated to US sizing as between 6.75 and 7). Would it be foolish to size the ring down to a 5.75? I''m not sure how much of the band would be removed when that''s done, and how that would affect the stone settings.

Anyway, thoughts? I''ve requested some more pictures at different angles- she has several pics, but mostly just from the front

Thanks!

 

[GirlCellist]

Another pic

 

[GirlCellist]

My engagement ring

 

[GirlCellist]

Another

 

[HeartingDiamonds]

Looks lovely! Pieces like this are right up my alley

.

How wide is this band and how wide is your ER? I would suggest that you measure how much finger coverage you will get from the pair and decide. I myself have short fingers so I know for fact that I cannot handle this width but your pics above show that your finger is long and slender so for long as it would sit comfortably together with your ER, I see no problems.

Oh, note that if you want to get this sized down, you will likely lose some of the hallmarks stamped inside the ring unless your jeweler is very very careful. I would also confirm that size N is indeed the equivalent of 6-7 here. When you get it sized down, size it down about a half size bigger than you would normally wear to account for the stacking and wide width of the band.

Good luck!

 

[oldmancoyote]

As an alternative to sizing, consider adding two small bars or dots soldered to the inside of the ring to bring it to size and prevent it turning around. I have had a couple of rings adjusted this way when there was a makers'' or assay mark in the way or the ring structure was such that it did not allow easy or safe sizing. DW swears it is as comfortable as a "properly" sized ring, it is totally invisible and easily reversible.

Re the 14k vs 15k colour. 15k usually contains a high % of copper, and is thus sometimes too reddish compared to modern alloys. However, I like the contrast.

 

[GirlCellist]

Thank you both! The band on my current ring is about 3mm- I''m still waiting on more info about the antique ring, but it looks substantially wider, obviously... more than 1cm, maybe. My hands are pretty small, though kind of long at the same time, so I feel like I have a lot of room for another ring to sit there. What do you think about the combination of rings?

RE the bars and dots- that''s a great idea! It''d be a shame to lose the hallmark.. how much does that usually run?

 

[oobiecoo]

I really think you should go for it and try it out with your ring. Even if ti doesn''t work well for whatever reason, you probably wouldn''t have a hard time reselling it or just using it for a right hand ring.

 

[GirlCellist]

more pictures...looks narrower than I''d thought!

 

[GirlCellist]

another

 

[oldmancoyote]

Date: 10/21/2008 5:09:36 PM
Author: GirlCellist
Thank you both! The band on my current ring is about 3mm- I''m still waiting on more info about the antique ring, but it looks substantially wider, obviously... more than 1cm, maybe. My hands are pretty small, though kind of long at the same time, so I feel like I have a lot of room for another ring to sit there. What do you think about the combination of rings?

RE the bars and dots- that''s a great idea! It''d be a shame to lose the hallmark.. how much does that usually run?

The people who did it did it for free when we bought the rings - I would think it''s no more cost than a sizing.

 

[AprilBaby]

Can you put a picture of the two of them together? I think it would look really cool! If nothing else you would have a really awesome RHR?

 

[jcrow]

hope you don''t mind, i did a quick photoshop of the two. hope it helps

 

[oobiecoo]

I actually think they look really great together in that photoshopped pic!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Date: 10/22/2008 4:08:36 PM
Author: oobiecoo
I actually think they look really great together in that photoshopped pic!

I agree...they make a very unique set. I think that you should go for it!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the ring is beautiful, but I agree with SDL that I think it would look better worn on your right hand. I think it is a little much worn with your e-ring, personally.

 

[GirlCellist]

Well... I''m now feeling like the combination of these rings might be too busy. I found this other ring over at etsy.com, I think it''d look great! Not vintage, but has some of that craftsman feel...