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Which era is this ring from?

T

thisismyname

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 22, 2024
Messages
15
Im looking at purchasing this ring for my e-ring!!! Originally I thinking of resetting the stone in a YG, 6 prong, tulip basket cathedral.

I'm very rough with my rings and usually like a simple setting. I had also wanted to stack a 5 stone band and a plain YG band with that setting.

However, the more I look at this ring the more I'm starting to like the setting as it is. I never wear WG and much prefer the YG but maybe it'll grow on me as time goes on and I haven't picked it up yet to tell for sure how I feel about it.

Anyway, I'm wondering if it's Art Deco? It's 14k WG, 1.3 OEC, VVS, L

The seller only knows that her father bought it for her mother in the 70s as an "I'm sorry for being a jack ass all these years" present after he retired and came into some cash. But I know it's not a 70s ring and it had a history before that.

Also, does this setting look too delicate for someone who's not.

Thank you for your help!




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Can you post more pictures?
 
Dreamer_D said:
Can you post more pictures?
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I can't right now, I don't have it in hand. Going to look at it/ possibly buy it next week. If I get it I'll update the post!
 
Before you buy it consider posting a picture of the diamonds looking directly in to the face of the stone so we can see faceting. And what price are they asking for it? Does it have a lab report?

I know you asked about the mounting but the diamond is far more important to evaluate thoroughly.

As to the setting it doesn't look like an authentic antique to me as it is a mix of styles. White gold was not commercially available until the early 1900s and not widely available until into the 1920s and my understanding is that it was usually 18k. It is very pretty though the shank looks quite delicate and it may not last a lifetime.
 
Dreamer_D said:
Before you buy it consider posting a picture of the diamonds looking directly in to the face of the stone so we can see faceting. And what price are they asking for it? Does it have a lab report?

I know you asked about the mounting but the diamond is far more important to evaluate thoroughly.

As to the setting it doesn't look like an authentic antique to me as it is a mix of styles. White gold was not commercially available until the early 1900s and not widely available until into the 1920s and my understanding is that it was usually 18k. It is very pretty though the shank looks quite delicate and it may not last a lifetime.
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It doesn't have a lab report but has a recent local appraisal for insurance that owner had done so she'd know what she was selling. It's being sold privately. She's willing to negotiate. It's $4000 CAD which is $2800 USD. I have a few videos from her but I can't get the files to upload.
I'm traveling to see it next weekend. It's 3h away and the seller is an older lady and not tech savvy. I'll get to see it and have the day (before we travel back home) to decide.

We're meeting at a local jewelry store to check it out.

I haven't noticed a lot of 18k WG while I've been searching but I thought platinum was used more.

I know just enough about antique jewelry to be dangerous... but not enough to "know" anything
 
You have to post videos on youtube -- you can create an anonymous account -- then you can link them here.

I am concerned its not actually an OEC. That one image has proportions more like a modern round brilliant, though it could be a transitional cut. Many appraisers don't know what old cuts actually look like and so its hard to trust their appraisals. I'd like to see a video or any other pictures you have before you drive 3 hours to see it.

The price is OK if it is as described. I'm Canadian too. I often buy old cuts from US sellers on ebay. You can find stones in that size range for about the price you mention, often lower (closer to 3k CAD). But with the terrible dollar buying locally would be a benefit. It is VERY hard to sell diamond rings as a private seller like this lady is. You may be the only possible buyer. I would negotiate hard to lower the price to closer to 3k (again, assuming it is as described).

Platinum was more common but a company called Belais started making white gold in the early 1900, but it is 18k. There are a number of other companies that make die struck setting in white gold from that time period. But again, I don't think its 14k.
 
Dreamer_D said:
You have to post videos on youtube -- you can create an anonymous account -- then you can link them here.

I am concerned its not actually an OEC. That one image has proportions more like a modern round brilliant, though it could be a transitional cut. Many appraisers don't know what old cuts actually look like and so its hard to trust their appraisals. I'd like to see a video or any other pictures you have before you drive 3 hours to see it.

The price is OK if it is as described. I'm Canadian too. I often buy old cuts from US sellers on ebay. You can find stones in that size range for about the price you mention, often lower (closer to 3k CAD). But with the terrible dollar buying locally would be a benefit. It is VERY hard to sell diamond rings as a private seller like this lady is. You may be the only possible buyer. I would negotiate hard to lower the price to closer to 3k (again, assuming it is as described).

Platinum was more common but a company called Belais started making white gold in the early 1900, but it is 18k. There are a number of other companies that make die struck setting in white gold from that time period. But again, I don't think its 14k.
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Thank you... this is all very helpful info. I'll see what I can up load and requests more photos again
 
thisismyname said:
The seller only knows that her father bought it for her mother in the 70s as an "I'm sorry for being a jack ass all these years" present after he retired and came into some cash. But I know it's not a 70s ring and it had a history before that.
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Be alert. These stories are almost always bogus in my experience. I've personally sold a fair number of our used (I mean "pre-owned") cars and, no matter how well you try to screen, the "young couple just starting out" is always a slimy reseller and their business partner when they show up.
 
LilAlex said:
Be alert. These stories are almost always bogus in my experience. I've personally sold a fair number of our used (I mean "pre-owned") cars and, no matter how well you try to screen, the "young couple just starting out" is always a slimy reseller and their business partner when they show up.
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Thank you for your concern! I'm naturally not very trusting so I've been searching-creeping the families background. She hasn't been pushy, I originally contacted her in May this year when I first noticed it for sale. I don't get the impression she's in a hurry to sell at all... but I can't seem to get any clear/definitive pictures from her which concerns me
 
Perhaps because you are getting some red flags already you may want to reconsider? Oftentimes, our gut feeling is spot on.
 
thisismyname said:
Thank you for your concern! I'm naturally not very trusting so I've been searching-creeping the families background. She hasn't been pushy, I originally contacted her in May this year when I first noticed it for sale. I don't get the impression she's in a hurry to sell at all... but I can't seem to get any clear/definitive pictures from her which concerns me
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Is the photo you posted the only one she has provided? Have you asked for more? If she could take that one, she could take a few more. Maybe not great quality, but even a not great photo of the stone face forward would be more helpful. If she won't even do that, then I wouldn't do that drive. As @Dreamer_D said, there are better ways to buy.
 
for this: “14k WG, 1.3 OEC, VVS, L” Likely Reproduction with no clear facet pattern showing it’s an OEC. $2800 US I would skip this particular piece because of the inconvenience factor, and clear possibility that it’s a repro. Which is okay, but for the price, I’d get a real vintage piece with a stone you love.

I’ve seen some pretty platinum rings with antique stones with similar specs, including on The Real Real and EBay within a few months/recently.

That’s my two cents.

14k and that basket makes me think it’s a fairly recent setting, maybe new when the family purchased it.
 
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Lookinagain said:
Is the photo you posted the only one she has provided? Have you asked for more? If she could take that one, she could take a few more. Maybe not great quality, but even a not great photo of the stone face forward would be more helpful. If she won't even do that, then I wouldn't do that drive. As @Dreamer_D said, there are better ways to buy.
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I have a few videos... but it's in overhead kitchen light, and goes in and out of focus as she's moving it to try to capture some sparkle.

I've asked her again for a few more top down photos ... in window light and outdoor shade.

Waiting patiently for those...
 
LightBright said:
for this: “14k WG, 1.3 OEC, VVS, L” Likely Reproduction with no clear facet pattern showing it’s an OEC. $2800 US I would skip this particular piece because of the inconvenience factor, and clear possibility that it’s a repro. Which is okay, but for the price, I’d get a real vintage piece with a stone you love.

I’ve seen some pretty platinum rings with antique stones with similar specs, including on The Real Real and EBay within a few months/recently.

That’s my two cents.

14k and that basket makes me think it’s a fairly recent setting, maybe new when the family purchased it.
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Thank you. I'll go have a look on ebay and I haven't checked the real real in a while.

My original plan was to save for a new setting but use the current one in the mean time. It's the stone I'm after preferably.

I have reached out to a few antique stone dealers but I haven't found much over 1ct in an OEC in my budget. Plus, the taxes and exchange rate kills if I buy through the US. It's a possibility though, my BFF lives on the Canada/US border and has a Maine address I could use.
 
Here's a screenshot to the only partially in focused second of the video.

I Haven't had the time to make an account to upload it to yet.

And here's the insurance appraisal

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It looks like a very late transitional to me. It has a flat crown and larger table but it still has short lower halves creating very fat arrows. I am not a huge fan of this era of diamond and this one is showing some pretty severe obstruction in the picture from the appraiser. It will likely be low in contrast and somewhat dark in person. If it was a super deal and easy to see in person maybe it could be worth looking at. But I’d probably recommend passing given the whole context.
 
I have been watching a beautiful OEC in eBay located in Vancouver with a pawn/scrap seller. Appraisal says 6.5mm and it’s a classic early OEC. L SI2 but it looks eye clean to me. Good photos. Price well below your budget but it needs a new setting. Seller says no returns so you would only be able to send it back if it wasn’t as described. Let me know if you want me to post it, but only if you are really interested otherwise I’d rather not post it.
 
Dreamer_D said:
I have been watching a beautiful OEC in eBay located in Vancouver with a pawn/scrap seller. Appraisal says 6.5mm and it’s a classic early OEC. L SI2 but it looks eye clean to me. Good photos. Price well below your budget but it needs a new setting. Seller says no returns so you would only be able to send it back if it wasn’t as described. Let me know if you want me to post it, but only if you are really interested otherwise I’d rather not post it.
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If it's something you're not considering for yourself, I wouldn't mind seeing it! Can I add my email on here? Would that be better?

Thanks for all of your help
 
@Dreamer_D @Lookinagain @LightBright

My oldest daughter was in a car accident this week so my partner made arrangements to go ahead and pick up the ring while I was at the hospital because he wanted to make sure I had something special before Christmas...

He hasn't given it to me yet but I sneak peeks of it every time I walk by the drawer.... it's incredible clear and shimmery... the pics don't do it justice. I was worried the center was showing black... but it almost never does. The blacks in the pics are from my phone and/or my all black wardrobe. If I hold it up and away at eye level, it's all shimmery clear facets!

I'll post some pics anyway. It's in awful overhead light... a few by a window. I'm actually quite embarrassed I can't get good phone pics because I'm a photographer and have a macro lense for my camera but I can't sneak away to get some photos yet!

The cutlet is very tiny and the ring itself has been reshanked I believe 20241223_161853.jpg20241223_161848.jpg20241223_161821.jpg20241222_181633.jpg20241221_120433.jpg20241221_120622.jpg
 
Hi Thisismyname. I’m sorry to hear about your daughter and hope she’s getting better and home soon.

Well, I love it your ring! It’s delicate and graceful. To me it looks like a Transitional cut diamond. Maybe cut around 1910 and onwards. The low crown, larger table and blockier faceting make me think this. I love the delicate setting. The prong tips make me think the setting is more recent? Congratulations on your beautiful ring.

PS you can search the Pricescope site for more info and photos on Transitional cut diamonds to see if my hunch on the cut is correct. Maybe someone can chime in w their opinion. I think some cuts like this are also called American Cut and there’s a free book somewhere link to a book on the development of that cut.
 
Thank you... She's a little broken but will ultimately heal and is alive!

Great! Thank you for your response... I'm going to go search to see what I can find!
 
Well it’s a very nice diamond! I also think it’s a transitional and I also think it would qualify for the American Cut designation. Cut somewhere in the 1910s to late 1920. It has the general shape of a modern round (which I why I commented about the proportions up thread) but the pavilion is still cut like an OEC which is why it has such big blocky chunky facets. It looks very well cut! Congrats!

What did you end up paying?
 
Dreamer_D said:
Well it’s a very nice diamond! I also think it’s a transitional and I also think it would qualify for the American Cut designation. Cut somewhere in the 1910s to late 1920. It has the general shape of a modern round (which I why I commented about the proportions up thread) but the pavilion is still cut like an OEC which is why it has such big blocky chunky facets. It looks very well cut! Congrats!

What did you end up paying?
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Thank you!!!
I was so excited when I saw it. I was getting ready to criticize it in my head. I had already decided to love it because of the thought that was put into it but I didn't expect to love the cut. However when I saw it, it was shimmering and so pretty!

Thanks for all of your help. I'm going to go look up the Anerican cut to see what I can find out.

Thanks again!
 
Good to hear that your daughter will be okay. That must be scary.

I really like your diamond. I agree, it looks like a transitional. I don't know what would make it be an American, but @Dreamer_D is very good at making these calls. I also like the setting. If you are normally a yellow gold person, just stack it with some yellow and you'll have the best of both.
 
thisismyname said:
Thank you... She's a little broken but will ultimately heal and is alive!

Great! Thank you for your response... I'm going to go search to see what I can find!
Click to expand...

the roads are awful at Christmas
i hope she is making a good recovery
such a lot of awful things on the road this Christmas

your new ring is lovely
looking forward to hand shots
 
Dreamer_D said:
Well it’s a very nice diamond! I also think it’s a transitional and I also think it would qualify for the American Cut designation. Cut somewhere in the 1910s to late 1920. It has the general shape of a modern round (which I why I commented about the proportions up thread) but the pavilion is still cut like an OEC which is why it has such big blocky chunky facets. It looks very well cut! Congrats!

What did you end up paying?
Click to expand...

They went down to $3300 CAD, it was a private sale, so no tax!
 
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