ABOUT:

You could say perhaps just maybe I overpaid for this one (insert covering face emoji here), but when I saw it, it was all:
"Squeeeeeee!!!!!" and
"Go away, logic, you are not welcomed here!"

If you know me, you know I treasure and seek out old cut diamonds with hues, more uncommon than the whites / colorless. I purchased this one for my personal collection but decided to release it because with the cash flow needed for my summer inventory sourcing trips, it's not a good time for me to hang on to things : ) So here's a special two tone beauty looking for a new home!

I don't think I've seen a Navette with the two tone coloring like this. It totals over 2 1/4 carats in old mine cut diamonds. The three chunky fancy brown diamonds are in a line down the center amidst the softened almost oval navette shape holding a halo of white / colorless old mine cuts. Some of the fancies are even eye clean - a delight to find in colored diamonds since their hues come from "impurities" that cause the colors of the stones. Swoon!

The setting is classic Victorian era, 18k rosy gold shank with a silver top as was customary for the period to set diamonds in a white metal. A very gradual knife edge detail remains at the shoulders.

These are scarce and sought after for a few reasons - the first is that all antique diamonds of course have a more limited supply since they are no longer made in this way. There are only so many in existence compared to the millions of carats of modern, machine cut diamonds made every year. These have withstood the test of time.

The second is the color - it is believed that only 1 carat in every 10,000 carats mined are fancy diamonds. So putting the old cut together with the color makes this old mine cut cluster ring even more scarce.

It is fun to see the color of the center stones and how they vary between lighting conditions, appearing more deep fancy brown in ambient light and lighting up with the richer golden yellow flecks in direct light. The colorless diamond halo is a genius addition because the contrast helps accent the color of the center stones.

I found this one in the UK. No hallmarks remain but purchased from a reputable source and tested to confirm.

Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and the pictures can make it difficult to see scale. Antique box is not included.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

Size 7 3/4
I do not remove my stones from their settings for exact measurements as my items do very well without paperwork (especially for antique pieces created long before the Four C's was invented.) The center three old mine cut diamond are each about 4.2mm in diameter, chunky cuts and around .35 carat each as an estimate. The sixteen diamonds in the halo are 2 to 3.2mm each, graduating larger in size towards the center of the ring. Total carat weight is over 2 1/4 carats / 2.25Ctw.

The piece weighs a little over 4grams. The ring face is about 20x10mm. It stands 5.5mm off the finger.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

With fancy color diamonds, color is the dominant value factor. Diamond clarity does not add as much value in fancy-colored diamonds because a diamond’s color is the most sought after feature. It is also worth noting it can be more common to find inclusions in colored stones due to how they were formed in the earth, the chemical structure of the stone causing the coloring can also lead to said inclusions. But these brownies are quite clear! The center is eye clean, it has a small needle inclusion hidden in the faceting. One adjacent stone has a slightly larger needle inclusion but again not glaring. The third stone has an indented natural inclusion at the corner of the crown facet that you can seek out if you are studying the surface in a reflection of light (it is not visible to my eyes which are in their forties). The white diamonds are also typical for antiques with varying hues, some a pale yellow color, others with a bit of warmth. Some appear quite frosty and 2 have some frosty flakes of loss from nibbles or small chips but all appear full and complete in the settings, no areas of big loss so they all fill the setting.

As mentioned, my items do very well without paperwork so I have not sent the stone for certification but always provide as much detail as possible with measurements, condition notes and many extra photos (see website) to capture it true to life in various lighting conditions, which can be translated to grading scales if desired.

What a wonderful color to the fancy brown stones! The setting is also typical for the period with some areas of wear especially to some of the outside prongs but none of the stones move. I always recommend gentler wear with antique pieces in all original condition and multiple stones.

Please note that I take some photos / videos in the sunshine because it captures the lovely color and sparkle, but it also highlights any surface wear, scratches, abrasions, buildup or inclusions that can catch the light, making these things appear worse than they would with normal day to day wear. : ) Hopefully the pics in all lightning conditions help as they serve as part of the description.

Please also note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )

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