Antique ring. Gold, silver, diamonds, blue enamel. Made in Europe. See below for date.
Measurements:
Weight is 8.2 grams. Approximately US size 7.5. Length of bezel approximately 3/4 inch (2cm).
Description :
Rectangular shape with concave cut away corners. The outer border in bright yellow gold, richly chased in a scrolling pattern. The ground is bright blue enamel, set in the center with silver-mounted diamonds in a floral pattern. It was the custom for hundreds of years, up to the first quarter of the 20th century, to set diamonds in silver. The mount is in two levels so that light enters the back of the ring from the sides. We believe the shank is a later replacement with forked shoulders.
Highly wearable and versatile.
Marks and Metal:
There are 3 marks inside the shank: one appears to be a silver mark; a 2nd very faded 750 for 18k gold. The 3rd mark is too worn to be read. Gold was acid tested as 18k.
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:
Rings with diamonds set on a ground of blue enamel were made popular from the late 18th through the 19th century. The French relate these rings to the Bourbon royalty; The British attribute the origin to their own country. Often these rings were simply set with lines or simple, geometric patterns of diamonds; sometimes they depict an urn or other symbol of mourning and less often, as in this case, a lovely floral arrangement. While we believe that the shank was replaced, the origin of the bezel could be either Georgian or Victorian.
Coincidentally, we have a very similar ring, made in France. Real sister jewelry. Part of my description/The story, applies here too: This special ring is of a type known as "bagues au firmament", or "rings of the heavens." The deep blue enamel was intended to evoke the night sky, and the pearls and diamonds, the stars. It is said that Marie Antoinette was a fan of this style which originated in France and wore her bague au firmament daily. Typically, the English are firmly of the opinion that they invented this dark blue enamelling and it was traditionally given from one member of the royal family to another. Hence, according to the English, the name Royal Blue Enamel. (see page 120 of Georgian Jewellery by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings).
