Vintage Retro tank ring. 18k gold, diamonds, rubies. Made in France circa 1940's. Unisex - can be worn by a man or a woman.
Measurements: Weight is 14.3 grams. A little over a US size 6. Bezel/crown is about 3/4 inch long.
Description : Bold geometric design combining squares, cylinders, lines and circles. Asymmetric but perfectly balanced. A flat square plane, pave set with beautiful, bright and sparkling rubies. Intersected by a raised, cylindrical form - fanning out on either side of a line of diamonds that crosses it and overlays part of the ruby square. The line of diamonds ends in a partial rectangle. The varying sections of the ring are of varying elevations - the lowest height being the rubies, then the diamonds and cylinder. The diamonds cover and traverse the cylinder. Shoulders are flaring, solid walls of gold, emphasizing their role as supporters of the bezel. Shoulders narrow and transform seamlessly into a broad, sturdy band.
The Retro period, like the Art Deco that preceded it is recognizable by its geometric designs. However, unlike the delicate, fine Deco jewelry, Retro jewels are strong and bold - much more solid in construction and make much more emphatic statements.
The cylindrical form popular in Retro jewelry was influenced and sometimes called 'tank' - an echo of the fact that it was made during the Second World War. Fully 3-dimentional volume design.
Marks and Metal: French owl mark for 18k gold.
Condition: Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY: Influenced by the military and industrial spirit of the 1940s, Retro jewelry embraced dramatic, bold geometric shapes — bows, scrolls, cylinders, and sweeping lines arranged in designs that were unapologetically clear and solid. This was not jewelry that cowed or backed off; it breathed confidence and power.
Yellow and rose gold dominated the era, especially as platinum was restricted to military use during the war.
Retro jewelry introduced an entirely new aesthetic, one with its own refined sensibility — clever in its use of simple forms, contrasting colors, and meticulous workmanship.
