Heirloom of Tomorrow: A 1920s Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring

Imagine the countless marriages this Art Deco engagement ring has witnessed since its creation around 1920, potentially in Belgium. Exquisitely crafted in platinum, it features a blend of old European and single brilliant cut diamonds, approximately 0.92 ct in total, alongside six captivating sapphires. Its design epitomizes the elegance and glamour of the Art Deco era, embodying a timeless charm. This ring could very well become a cherished future heirloom, reminiscent of a romantic story where 'grandpa bought it for grandma when he proposed,' continuing its legacy of love and commitment through generations.

Antique jewelry object group: engagement ring (or anniversary ring)

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Art Deco - Art Deco is an eclectic artistic and design style which had its origins in Paris in the first decades of the 20th century. The style originated in the 1920s and continued to be employed until after World War II. The term "art deco" first saw wide use after an exhibition in 1966, referring to the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes that was the culmination of high-end style modern in Paris. Led by the best designers in the decorative arts such as fashion, and interior design, Art Deco affected all areas of design throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including architecture and industrial design, as well as the visual arts such as painting, the graphic arts and film. At the time, this style was seen as elegant, glamorous, functional and modern.
  -  See also: Art Deco or more info on styles

Style specifics: Abstract motives and geometrical forms are quite typical for the Art Deco period. Art Deco moved away from the soft pastels and organic forms of its style predecessor, Art Nouveau, and embraced influences from many different styles and movements of the early 20th century, including Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism, and Futurism. Its popularity peaked in Europe during the Roaring Twenties and continued strongly in the United States through the 1930s. Although many design movements have political or philosophical roots or intentions, Art Deco was purely decorative.

Period: ca. 1920
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Material: platinum
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Extra information: Betrothal rings were used during Roman times, but weren't generally revived in the Western world until the 13th century. The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria in imperial court of Vienna in 1477, upon his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy.

Before the 20th century, other types of betrothal gifts were common. Before the end of the 19th century, the bride-to-be frequently received a sewing thimble rather than a engagement ring. This practice was particularly common among religious groups that shunned jewelry. Engagement rings didn't become standard in the West until the end of the 19th century, and diamond rings didn't become common until the 1930s. Now, 80% of the women are offered a diamond ring to signify engagement. (from: Wikipedia)

Diamond(s): Two old European cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.60ct. (colour and clarity: J/K, si/i).
One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 0.20ct. (colour and clarity: J/K, si/i).
4 single brilliant cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with an estimated weight of ± 0.12ct. (colour and clarity: G/H, si/i).
22 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
- All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Total diamond weight: approx. 0.92 crt. (without the rose cut diamonds)

Precious stones: Six sapphires . We did not check if the sapphires are lab produced or not as this information has no influence on the value of this jewel. Natural sapphires and lab produced sapphires were both used in this era, rather more for their effect than for their intrinsic value.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and sapphire for September.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: top of ring 2,14 cm (0,84 inch) x 1,14 cm (0,45 inch)

Weight: 5,10 gram (3,28 dwt)

Ring size Continental: 55 & 17½ , Size US 7¼ , Size UK: O

Resizing: Free resizing (only for extreme resizing we have to charge).
  -  (more info on ring sizes)

Reference Nº: 16342-0163

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
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August - September - October - November or December.


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