Photo Credit: DiamondTen
Antique GIA Cert .63ct Diamond & Sapphire 18K White Gold Deco Engagement Ring
Buy It Now Price: $1,185 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This is a 1.6 gram, 18 karat white gold ring set with a 0.57 carat diamond and two small flanking accent sapphires. The diamond is an old European cut stone which is the correct cut for a ring of this era.
-This 1920s antique ring displays phenomenal art deco style – sleek angularity abounds. The beautifully engraved fluting on the shoulders may reflect a very slight Egyptian revival influence. The Egyptian revival style came into vogue after the discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in 1922.
-The central stone is a stunning, investment-grade specimen of an old European cut diamond, with good color and few inclusions. The charming, slightly warm, rock crystal-like appearance of this stone is typically of old cut diamonds. However, old mine and old European cut diamonds are often visibly yellow or brown to the naked eye. They are also commonly more heavily flawed than modern cut stones. This stone suffers from none of those flaws, making it a superior example of an antique cut diamond.
-The central diamond has J color (nearly colorless) and SI1 clarity (eye-clean) according to the accompanying GIA diamond certification. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is a well known and respected diamond grading company. The GIA certification for this diamond increases the desirability of the ring.
-The white gold mount is in good condition, with only modest wear on the ring’s filigree shoulders and the base of the shank. This is somewhat unusual; rings of this age often have heavy wear, sometimes to the point where decorative elements are nearly obliterated or the bottom of the shank is nearly worn through.
-The vast majority of the intrinsic value of this piece is concentrated in the central diamond. This is both normal and desirable for a piece of high quality, investment-grade jewelry. In fact, I would guess that the central diamond is conservatively worth $1,000, meaning you aren’t paying much for the setting or its value as an antique. $1,185 is a very good price for this ring; it strictly limits your downside risk.
Cons:
-The seller claims that the small (0.03 carat each), triangle-cut sapphires on each side of the main stone are natural. This cannot be independently verified, but would be unusual given the time period and cut. Most calibre-cut, accent sapphires from this era are synthetic. However, while unlikely it is not impossible for them to be natural either. In any case, regardless of whether the sapphires are synthetic or natural, the value of the ring is not significantly impacted.
-This ring is not explicitly hallmarked as 18 karat gold. Instead it has been tested by the seller as 18 karat gold. We are taking the seller’s word that the ring is as described, although I should note that the large diamond and excellent workmanship are completely consistent with a high karat setting.
-The ring is size 5.5, which is only appropriate for slim fingers. Of course, the ring could relatively easily be resized. In fact, the seller offers resizing for an additional $75.
