Fabulous "Marquise" Ring With Ruby & Old-Cut Diamonds, Vienna Circa 1890

Vienna at the end of the 19th century: winter was, as it still is today, the season of balls and social events. After the summer retreat at the country estate, people spent the cooler months in the metropolis on the Danube and were seen at the important parties. Diamonds were worn in large numbers at these evenings. The rule of thumb: the more precious the jewellery, the more you were allowed to wear. The ring shown here was such evening jewellery, magnificent and precious. At its center is a natural ruby in a bright red. It is lightly set with delicate gold prongs, giving it a particularly intense and mysterious glow. Set around the coloured stone are over two carats of old European cut diamonds, the usual cut for diamonds at the time the ring was created. The diamonds are set in silver, typical of the time, to emphasize their bright sparkle. A simple gold shank makes the arrangement wearable as a ring. The hallmarks on the ring reveal that it was created in Vienna. Unfortunately, it reached us without its center stone, so we had a matching, high-quality ruby set into the ring. A gemological report has confirmed the quality of its materials. The ring came to us from Lippe.

Estimate:£5,159.39

View all items fromHofer AntikschmuckorJewellery & Gems