About

Old Mine Cut Diamonds were fashionable between 1800 and 1905, and were a step forward in the evolution of the Brilliant cut, one of the first attempts to maximize sparkle in shaped diamonds. Diamond cutters of the 19th century had no electricity like they do today, so they relied on foot and hand power to run their cutting wheels. The diamond industry had just begun the path to standardization, introducing a demand for symmetrical stones – something that was difficult to achieve through hand cutting. It was discovered that a square cushion shape, the end result of the Old Mine Cut, maximized symmetry while minimizing loss of weight during cutting; a new diamond was born, and it had everyone talking. Old Mine Cut Diamonds have a small table, high crown, deep pavilion, and open culet.

The first synthetic sapphire was produced in the laboratory of the French chemist Auguste Verneuil in 1902. He discovered that synthetic sapphire was identical in material to a natural sapphire, without the flaws found in natural stones. The Verneuil process is still used today to produce brilliant, pristine sapphires like the baguette-shaped sapphires in this ring.

The Baguette Shape, or Step Cut, refers to a stone whose outlines are square or rectangular, with rectilinear facets. This cut accentuates a gemstone’s clarity and luster, and was highly sought-after during the Art Deco period.

Gold comes from the pure element Aurum and is caught up in stone deep below the surface of the earth. Ore deposits are formed through the imperceptible, aeonian shifting of the tectonic plates which, over millennia, are brought close enough to the surface for extraction. This process is elaborate and takes time, which means refined gold will always be highly valued, even more so when turned into intentional objects of beauty by the hands of skilled artisans.

Details

• vintage ring circa 1950, Old Mine Cut Diamond circa 1890
• 14k white gold with engraved design on shank and gallery
• .12ct Old Mine Cut Diamond: color J, clarity SI1
• four 1/5ct Straight Baguette Shape synthetic sapphires
• band measures 1.25mm, 8mm wide at widest part of setting, with a 5mm setting height
• TLC for your white gold, diamond, and precious gemstone jewelry

Sizing

This ring is a size 5.75 and cannot be sized, due to the engraving that wraps around the entire band.