My Antique Pearl Ring

[Bodecia]

Hi All,

Bought this antique (dare I say natural) pearl ring. The pearl is 6mm in diam. Surrounded by old cut diamonds which appear not to be of high quality but then I don't really care about diamonds so not fussed about that.

I think the design is rather special, pity there are diamond of if there had to be that they are not of a better quality but as I have said before it is all about the pearl and this one looks good to me. Not a perfect pearl by any means but that is why it is so easy to spot as a natural.

Diamonds to me are only an accent to the pearl and I think the design of the ring is great.
So please do tell me what you think. Diamonds don't do it any harm and add to the obvious age of the ring.

I believe from the look of it the pearls are either Basra or from the Persion Gulf. But could be wrong. But natural I am positive of.

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[GemGeek]

That is a very cool specimen!

 

[lisa c]

I think it's lovely. Where did you find it?

 

[Bodecia]

Hi and thanks,

I found it on eBay


Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[Bodecia]

Another photo of my Antique Pearl Ring

Another photo of my Antique Pearl Ring

Hi all,

This is another view of my beautiful antique pearl ring. I love the pearl which is of course why I bid and won it. I had already spend my allowance, well past it, but I just could not resist bidding on this little beauty.

It is set in 14kt gold, with 9 mine cut diamonds & of course the 6mm Antique Pearl. I think it is a natural Basra pearl. Has that look about it.

One thing that has always confused me regarding old diamonds and if anyone can answer this it would really help. As names in this auction the diamonds are old mine cut diamonds. But surely diamonds were never cut in the mines so to speak. I realise that many old diamonds are descriped as such but it doesn't make sense to me.

What I can understand is diamonds being cut by the miners in old mines after they were found and cut in the old or native manner. I like them although they often don't have much reflection. Still I don't collect diamonds but Pearls, naturally.

Still I would really like to know why this type of old diamond is called "mine cut". So if anyone could help out with this it would be great.

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[Caitlin]

Hi All,

I believe from the look of it the pearls are either Basra or from the Persion Gulf. .

Basra is a name for Persian Gulf pearls.They are interchangeable. They are all the same species and a close relation to akoya pearls. It is not a scientific name like Pinctada radiata, though. I am not sure what changes the name of the Persian Gulf pearl oysters have undergone recently.

 

[Bodecia]

Hi Caitlin,

Guess maybe I

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

"Old Mine Cut" diamonds were typically square cut with faceted corners and high crowns. This is because they were not cut insomuch as they were "cleaned up" with minimal waste from raw diamond form.

"Old European Cut" might be a better description for rounder cuts.

Being antique, the pearl could have come from many places although it certainly appears natural.

Are there any hallmarks on the piece? Any historical information from the seller?

Lovely piece, nice buy!

 

[Narcissa]

May I suggest giving those diamonds a good cleaning, if you haven't already? I am one who does care about diamonds, I clean mine often and am still surprised at what a difference it can make. Most of those old cuts are just rougher than the modern cuts and never get as brilliant, but I'm thinking with the way they're set, and their proximity to the pearl, they just may still be holding back a little surprise. But of course you have to be really careful not to let any cleaning solution touch the pearl. Maybe just start with a soft/med brush and water? A brush that can squeak a few bristles inside that deep setting?
Congrats on your beautiful find!

 

[GemGeek]

A very interesting ring! Do you wear it?

 

[Bodecia]

Hi Dave & GemGeek,

I haven't received the ring yet. I will give you all the information when it arrives. Might take another week before I get it. But I will wear it.

Narcissa,

When it arrives the second thing I do will be to give it a good gentle clean. The first being to drool over it.

Caitlin, thanks as always for the information. My computer played up before when I tried to answer you.

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[Isi]

Hi
I think the diamonds of your ring are rose cut, not old mine cut. To me they look flat and with triangular facets on the top. Old mine cut diamonds have a deep pavilion, just as modern cut ones (but with different proportions).
Rose cut is an antique type of cut as well as old mine cut, so these rose cut diamonds detract nothing from the antique style of your ring. Only, having no pavilion, rose cut diamonds have less brilliancy.

 

[pattye]

Dawn,

A most interesting ring, and hopefully you will post photo after you have cleaned the diamonds. The goldwork is delightful! And of course, I love the natural pearl!