A Testament to Time: 400-Year-Old Diamond Cluster Ring

This remarkable 16th/17th-century diamond cluster ring captivates with its historical charm and intricate craftsmanship. Likely of northwestern European origin, it features nine table-cut rose diamonds set on foil, reflecting the early advancements in diamond cutting during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The table cut, one of the first faceting techniques developed, is time-specific to this era and a key feature in jewellery from this period. The ring’s design embodies the spirit of its time, while the shank raises intriguing questions about whether it was born with the ring or replaced later in its long life. In the description below, we delve into the arguments surrounding this. Imagine owning and wearing a jewel that has endured for 400 years, carrying with it centuries of untold stories and moments in history.

Antique jewelry object group
diamond cluster ring

Condition
good 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 northwestern European origin (Dutch/Belgian)

Style
This ring exemplifies the stylistic essence of circa 1600, capturing the transitional zeitgeist of the time. While it doesn’t strictly belong to the Baroque or Renaissance movements, its design reflects the artistic trends and craftsmanship of that era. The piece resonates with the spirit of its time, blending elements from both periods without being distinctly tied to either.

The top part of the ring, dating to around 1600, showcases a use of stones that strongly links it to the era. However, it remains difficult to classify it as purely Baroque or Renaissance in style. Interestingly, the bottom part (shank) of the ring may be from a slightly later period, though this is not definitive. The hallmarks found on the shank provide further clues, suggesting the possibility of different timelines for the ring’s components, adding to its intrigue and historical depth.

Find more info on Baroque and Renaissance or on all styles

Period
ca. 1600
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Material 18K
yellow gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Technique
The rose cuts are set on foil. This is a special technique that was used to bring the lustre of the diamonds to its best quality.

Extra information
As mentioned above, we cannot say with 100% certainty that the shank (also known as the band of the ring) originally belongs with the top part. It is not uncommon for the band to be replaced over time, and in this case, the gold color of the shank appears slightly more yellow compared to the reddish hue of the top part. However, this does not provide definite proof either, as the original goldsmith could have intended such a contrast. We will delve deeper into this in the section on the hallmarks.

Diamonds
Nine table cut 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 diamonds, regardless of their size or shape, in our vintage and antique jewellery are verified as 100% natural by the IJGC laboratory.

- We do not sell lab-grown (synthetic) diamonds.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
more info on birthstones

The hallmarks present on the shank include:

- A cornucopia (horn of plenty), used in the Southern Netherlands from 1815 to 1832, specifically for small gold works without attachments.
- A small Gothic "r," indicating a Belgian re-mark after 1830, applied to jewellery that was already in circulation before being submitted for re-inspection.
- An "L" with wavy lines above it, which stylistically suggests an 18th-century or potentially much earlier origin.

These hallmarks on the shank suggest a later date than the setting style and the use of table-cut rose diamonds would indicate. All of these marks are found (not unusually) only on the shank and not on the top part, so the assumption that the top part is older than the shank remains plausible.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
band width top of ring 1,47 cm (0,58 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
3,70 gram (2,38 dwt)

Ring size Continental EU: 59 & 18¾ , Size USA: 8¾ , Size UK: R

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

Adin Reference Nº
24278-0234

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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