Traveling in Style: The Story of Vintage Duplicated Rings

Discover an extraordinary pair of rings - one an exquisite platinum Estate ring from the 1950s with Colombian emeralds and diamonds, the other a silver duplicate adorned with strass stones. In the past, elites had duplicates made for travel, but the reasons were often forgotten. This rarity, with its original and duplicate rings, is a testament to that tradition. The platinum ring features emeralds and diamonds, reminiscent of a Greek sanctuary, while the duplicate offers versatility. Both await you in Leysen's treasure box, offering timeless elegance and a touch of history.

At first, we thought we were seeing double but immediately we realised how exceptional this pair of rings really is. One jewel is a most valuable platinum Estate ring from the Fifties with high class Colombian emeralds and diamonds. The other seems to be the exact same ring crafted in perfect resemblance but in silver with green and colourless strass stones.

Up to the Fifties of the last century it was not uncommon for the happy few to have their most precious jewellery pieces reproduced in less expensive materials. These reproductions -called dummies- were crafted specifically to wear on long journeys and cruises. Unfortunately, this custom was so well kept in discretion that most people lost sight of the reason of having a duplicate. So nowadays, such pairs are hardly being found as a couple anymore which makes of this valuable ring together with its pseudo-twin truly a unique collection.

Within this particular pair, the spectacular original platinum ring arrays three centrally decreasing emeralds with an upper and lower brim of five brilliant cut diamonds. This plateau of gems transcends from a left and right diamond-encrusted volute. Central in the two capital rims of this stylized column shaped top, a brilliant cut diamond enhances the allure of wearing a Greek sanctuary on your hand even more. As a Greek goddess, you could bath in this sea of diamond shimmer created by the light swirling through the azure-cut settings.

The authentic ring as well as its duplicated counterpart equal in appearance are just waiting to be found in the original treasure box of Leysen, who's a certified jewellery supplier to the Belgian Royal Court. Having the opportunity to wear this powerful design on any possible occasion, envision yourself completely giving in to the moment without giving in on any of your own unique glory.

Antique jewelry object group: Ring in most precious materials and a duplicate -also called "dummy"- 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: Although most people would call this style Art Deco it is more considered to be a product of the fifties of the Twentieth Century. Strongly influenced by Art Deco but also by the Retro style. That to most people this is Art Deco is no coincidence as both Retro style and Fifties style are the style successors of Art Deco. or more info on styles

Style specifics: This type of jewelry is very specific for the fifties of the twentieth century. The Art Deco period preceded only 20 years and was still used as source of inspiration, it is (even for the trained eye) sometimes very hard to note the difference between Art Deco and Fifties.

Period: ca. 1950
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Material: Original piece in platinum and dummy piece in silver.
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Extra information: The custom of wearing a replica or "dummy" instead of the authentic jewel comes from the desire of the elite to take their glamorous trinkets along their extensive travels. Thanks to the imitation pieces, they could leave the originals safely in their vault. So without anyone realising the clever switch between the true jewel and the reproduction, it had become possible for them to simply enjoy their favourite and personal belongings anywhere.

Imagine the chance to enjoy a stride gracefully along a fashionable promenade, to be swept away by a sea breeze on the deck of a cruise ship, to be fully engaged in a soirée conversation, to have your eyes stuck only on a stunning foreign view, but how easy it is to loose any trinket on such events -dummy or not. So after all this time still being able to present the authentic ring together with the ring that's afforded to be lost, that can only be a miracle.

Although the terms "dummy" and "copy" are no flattering words for any meticulously crafted jewel, make no mistake: it's only the original ring's counterpart that embodies the most precious adventures of its owner.

Description of stones in platinum ring:
36 old European cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 1.50ct. (colour and clarity: F/G, vs/si). And three emeralds (most probably Colombian) with a total weight of approximately 1.10 crt (1 ± 0.70 and 2 ± 0.20 each)
- weights of emeralds and diamonds, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Description of stones in dummy ring:
Three green and 36 colourless strass stones (also called paste) as diamond and emerald imitation.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and emerald for May.
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Hallmarks: No trace.
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Dimensions: Top ca. 11,60mm (0.47 inch) x 12,40mm (0.49 inch)

Weight: Both rings 15,50 gram (9,97 dwt) - Platinum ring 8,70 gram (5,59 dwt), dummy ring 6,80 gram (4.37 dwt)

Ring size:
Platinum ring Size Continental 54 & 17¼ , Size US 6¾ , Size UK: N
Silver 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: 16281-0017

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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