Antique onyx, diamond and natural oriental salt-water pearl ring, circa 1900.
Antique onyx, diamond and natural oriental salt-water pearl ring, circa 1900. This is an appealing and unusual design that skillfully marries white. natural pearls, diamonds and onyx in a very noticeable way.
The center of the ring consists of a flat oval onyx, which has a high polish, measuring 17 mm. long by 10.3 mm. wide. The middle of this oval holds a high quality bezel set, in platinum, a 0.38 ct European cut diamond, estimated by our internal gemologist to be H (near colorless) and very slightly included (VS) in clarity.
A milgrained edge of platinum secures the onyx oval and provides a larger oval field for the bead setting of 24 European diamonds of 0.04 cts each, on average. They match well the center diamond, they are also H in color and very slightly included in clarity. The total estimated diamond weight, therefore, is 1.40 cts.
Finally, 26 natural oriental pearls set on posts rim the periphery of the ring in order to provide a sense of completion to this piece.
This ring is in fine condition, a size 7 and can be resized.
Please note our model has a medium to large size hand.
Today, a preponderance of jewelry is machine made in large factories around the world with abundant and obvious suspicions as to its enduring qualities using not only inferior stones, but also man made stones and treated stones utilizing artificial substances.
Alternatively, this lovely and distinctive antique ring is wonderfully made at a time when craftsmanship was very important and using fine and rare natural pearls, white diamonds all set off with polished black onyx.
All items sold are accompanied by a detailed Statement of Value by our gemologist, as well as all original gemological documentation, if specified in the listing. As always, we guarantee all pieces to be exactly as represented. Each piece of jewelry arrives in a gift-wrapped fine presentation box.
Over the decades of our stewardship as a small but exemplary purveyor of the jeweler's art, we have strived to offer a fine and authentic selection, in excellent condition, of collectible jewels from all highly sought time periods at competitive prices. In the process, we have had the extraordinary good fortune of meeting remarkable people - some collectors, others just extremely interesting individuals who have taken the time and effort to examine their lives and select things that tend to make them smile, or admire, or just wonder at the exciting endlessly creative and nuanced panoply of jeweled artifacts.