Bluemuse
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2020
- Messages
- 382
Hi Fellow PriceScoper’s!
I have been a long time lurker and admirer of the many beautiful pieces on this forum.
I have quietly appreciated being part of this community and enjoyed every bit of knowledge and passion you all so generously share.
I figured I should share too.
Forgive the long backstory.
Feel free to move straight to photos and specs
I’ve had a love affair with antique jewelry since my early 20’s. My engagement ring back in the 80’s was an old mine cut stone that we found in our city’s jewelry district. I came to appreciate antique stones and beautiful craftsmanship more and more. I appreciate the modern as well now thanks in large part to this forum.
Fast forward to 2019, a year of momentous occasions; turning 60, retiring and marrying my second husband, a very happy miracle since both of us were widowed and didn’t imagine finding a substantial life partner again. We feel like we hit the lottery.
On our honeymoon to London last September I fantasized that I might find an antique sapphire ring, which has been my hearts desire for a while now.
I thought just maybe I’d find something that I loved, had a strong sense of history and was also affordable. It was to be my retirement gift to myself.
I found a beautiful antique sapphire and diamond band in one of the markets which my husband sweetly insisted on getting me as a momento of our honeymoon.
It is a sentimental treasure.
But I still found myself pining for a larger stone as time went on.
This past February in my search for a modest Valentine’s gift, I visited an antique jewelry store not too far from where I live.
I was immediately taken with a sapphire ring I saw in the case and knew that it was special.
I had some reservations at first because it was more than I’ve ever spent on a piece of jewelry. Most of my jewelry has been procured from antique jewelry dealers at flea markets and lucky finds in other places. I love that sort of hunt and have found great pieces of jewelry and art in the process.
Another concern I had about the ring was why a beautiful stone would have been set in a sterling silver Georgian setting with no gold at all. It naturally gave me pause. I have a couple Georgian pieces, each a combination of silver and gold with rose cut diamonds.
I gave it a week or so, then dug into the origins of the ring with a phone call to the shop owner, a seasoned, antique jewelry veteran. She explained that the stone came from an antique Victorian brooch and the Georgian setting had previously held a garnet cabochon.
She felt that the stone and setting were a perfect marriage of beauty, era and design.
I know those marriages are made often in the antique jewelry world, but I still thought it odd that a stone so lovely wouldn’t have been placed in a gold or platinum setting.
So what to do? I was falling in love and had to make a decision.
It had an appraisal from a well regarded Independent appraiser in our city, someone I knew and trusted personally. But no report from a gem grading lab like GIA or AGL.
I visited his office and spoke with him about the ring. I decided I was going for it.
Finding a stone of that color, size and price again would be a long shot. Plus I was fully smitten...Plus they were having a sale.
I’m sorry to have broke the golden rule of the experts here, trust, but verify first....that’s on me, I went with my gut. Knowing the reputation of the appraiser I felt comfortable moving forward.
I have come to feel that the owner was right about the setting and stone being a fated match. I marvel at the beautiful, delicate handmade setting, and the gorgeous stone.
Taken apart they both are special.
When I see them together it feels meant to be, a happy, harmonious marriage.
It is not a showy ring, but it is elegant.
It’s also very comfortable to wear.
I may eventually reset to a platinum or gold setting, but for now I’m enjoying every aspect of this ring right down to its inclusions, quirks and imperfections. It has plenty of those.
There is some wear on the table facets (one corner has a small nick), some minor surface scratches, a window, some color zoning and a myriad of inclusions. It’s 150+ years old, so the wear is not a surprise. That it is unheated is a wonderful bonus.
To me the inclusions are part of the mystery and unique fingerprint of the stone.
I especially love the iridescent flashes I see at different angles, the cross hatch of rutile crystals and soft clouds. And the way light is sometimes caught within the stone or flows right through to reveal every facet.
Most importantly...my eyes LOVE this stone.
All I see when I look at it is a silky delicious mass of blue, which goes electric in the sunlight, and a royal velvet in low light.
It delights me every single time I glance down at my hand. A little ancient blue galaxy just for me.
I’ve decided to name her “Elena” after my beloved first MIL. The name means bright, shining light. She was a bright light in my life and remains very close to my heart.
The ring has brought me endless fascination and joy during this somber time we’re living in currently. In some ways it’s a symbol that beauty persists even in the face of change, uncertainty and the bumps and bruises we endure in life. Happy I can share this bit of joy with all of you.
Specs:
8cts
11.95x12.40x6
Antique cushion cut
Unheated
Ceylon origin in opinion of appraiser
At the store the day I fell in love...
Went for it...
Indoors incandescent light...
S
Sunny day car photos...
Indirect sun daytime...
Indoors in front of bright sunny window...
I have been a long time lurker and admirer of the many beautiful pieces on this forum.
I have quietly appreciated being part of this community and enjoyed every bit of knowledge and passion you all so generously share.
I figured I should share too.
Forgive the long backstory.
Feel free to move straight to photos and specs
I’ve had a love affair with antique jewelry since my early 20’s. My engagement ring back in the 80’s was an old mine cut stone that we found in our city’s jewelry district. I came to appreciate antique stones and beautiful craftsmanship more and more. I appreciate the modern as well now thanks in large part to this forum.
Fast forward to 2019, a year of momentous occasions; turning 60, retiring and marrying my second husband, a very happy miracle since both of us were widowed and didn’t imagine finding a substantial life partner again. We feel like we hit the lottery.
On our honeymoon to London last September I fantasized that I might find an antique sapphire ring, which has been my hearts desire for a while now.
I thought just maybe I’d find something that I loved, had a strong sense of history and was also affordable. It was to be my retirement gift to myself.
I found a beautiful antique sapphire and diamond band in one of the markets which my husband sweetly insisted on getting me as a momento of our honeymoon.
It is a sentimental treasure.
But I still found myself pining for a larger stone as time went on.
This past February in my search for a modest Valentine’s gift, I visited an antique jewelry store not too far from where I live.
I was immediately taken with a sapphire ring I saw in the case and knew that it was special.
I had some reservations at first because it was more than I’ve ever spent on a piece of jewelry. Most of my jewelry has been procured from antique jewelry dealers at flea markets and lucky finds in other places. I love that sort of hunt and have found great pieces of jewelry and art in the process.
Another concern I had about the ring was why a beautiful stone would have been set in a sterling silver Georgian setting with no gold at all. It naturally gave me pause. I have a couple Georgian pieces, each a combination of silver and gold with rose cut diamonds.
I gave it a week or so, then dug into the origins of the ring with a phone call to the shop owner, a seasoned, antique jewelry veteran. She explained that the stone came from an antique Victorian brooch and the Georgian setting had previously held a garnet cabochon.
She felt that the stone and setting were a perfect marriage of beauty, era and design.
I know those marriages are made often in the antique jewelry world, but I still thought it odd that a stone so lovely wouldn’t have been placed in a gold or platinum setting.
So what to do? I was falling in love and had to make a decision.
It had an appraisal from a well regarded Independent appraiser in our city, someone I knew and trusted personally. But no report from a gem grading lab like GIA or AGL.
I visited his office and spoke with him about the ring. I decided I was going for it.
Finding a stone of that color, size and price again would be a long shot. Plus I was fully smitten...Plus they were having a sale.
I’m sorry to have broke the golden rule of the experts here, trust, but verify first....that’s on me, I went with my gut. Knowing the reputation of the appraiser I felt comfortable moving forward.
I have come to feel that the owner was right about the setting and stone being a fated match. I marvel at the beautiful, delicate handmade setting, and the gorgeous stone.
Taken apart they both are special.
When I see them together it feels meant to be, a happy, harmonious marriage.
It is not a showy ring, but it is elegant.
It’s also very comfortable to wear.
I may eventually reset to a platinum or gold setting, but for now I’m enjoying every aspect of this ring right down to its inclusions, quirks and imperfections. It has plenty of those.
There is some wear on the table facets (one corner has a small nick), some minor surface scratches, a window, some color zoning and a myriad of inclusions. It’s 150+ years old, so the wear is not a surprise. That it is unheated is a wonderful bonus.
To me the inclusions are part of the mystery and unique fingerprint of the stone.
I especially love the iridescent flashes I see at different angles, the cross hatch of rutile crystals and soft clouds. And the way light is sometimes caught within the stone or flows right through to reveal every facet.
Most importantly...my eyes LOVE this stone.
All I see when I look at it is a silky delicious mass of blue, which goes electric in the sunlight, and a royal velvet in low light.
It delights me every single time I glance down at my hand. A little ancient blue galaxy just for me.
I’ve decided to name her “Elena” after my beloved first MIL. The name means bright, shining light. She was a bright light in my life and remains very close to my heart.
The ring has brought me endless fascination and joy during this somber time we’re living in currently. In some ways it’s a symbol that beauty persists even in the face of change, uncertainty and the bumps and bruises we endure in life. Happy I can share this bit of joy with all of you.
Specs:
8cts
11.95x12.40x6
Antique cushion cut
Unheated
Ceylon origin in opinion of appraiser
At the store the day I fell in love...

Went for it...

Indoors incandescent light...

SSunny day car photos...
Indirect sun daytime...
Indoors in front of bright sunny window...
that's Kirsty Allsop size -
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