Antique Ring with Colombian Emerald & Diamonds, Germany c. 1910

Luxury, joie de vivre and the celebration of beauty were the ideal of the years around 1900. The Belle Époque revelled in wealth and glamour: the world's most beautiful dancers danced at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, society's most amorous couples met on the Ringstrasse in Vienna and the ladies' diamonds sparkled at the balls in the elegant Unter den Linden hotels in Berlin. Like every era, these years naturally had their own fashions and preferences. In the 1900s, it was diamonds and luxurious colored stones set in platinum and gold that made hearts beat faster: sparkling treasures were created that were precisely color-coordinated with the ball gown. The Colombian emerald adorning this ring from around 1910 appears to be animated by an inner green fire. The gemstone is shaped as a faceted cushion and is held in place by a restrained platinum frame. Embedded in a whole array of fine old-cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.70 ct, the ring appears in a boat shape typical of the time. No fewer than 14 old-cut diamonds make the surface of the piece of jewelry sparkle and provide the precious emerald with an appropriate setting. The ring is crafted from 14-karat yellow gold, but in keeping with the fashion of the time, all parts visible when worn are platinum-plated, the most precious metal in the world at the time. The result is a piece of jewelry of seductive elegance, The ring came to us from Vienna. It comes with an independent appraisal.

Estimate:£9,250.29

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