Antique Victorian opal and diamond ring multifunctional as necklace clasp

With its central cabochon opal of 3.20 carat, this 18K red gold and silver Victorian ring from 1880 could be your personal wishing well full of red and green shimmers. 16 surrounding old brilliant cut diamonds are encrusted in a bezel setting to which one end of the ring's shank is attached with a box clasp. And, so this ring can turn into a necklace or bracelet closure, or into anything you could dream of.

Antique jewelry object group: ring but can also be used as closure for necklace or bracelet

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

Technique: The top part of the ring, the part with the stones, is attached to the shank by a clasp. By pressing the clasp the hing at the bottom of the shank opens. Using this system the top part of the ring can be taken from the shank and be used as clasp for a necklace or bracelet. The clasps needed for this do no longer exist with this ring, but we could have it made for you if you want, at minimum cost.

Extra information: The system of this ring, how it opens, can also be very handy in those cases where the finger joints are swollen.

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

Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
  -  See also: Victorian or more info on styles

Style specifics: The Grand Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewelry from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewelers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria's husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period.

Period: ca. 1880
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Material: 18k red gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Diamonds: 16 old brilliant cut diamonds with a total estimated weight of approx. 1.28 crt. (approximate color and clarity H/I vs/si)
Note: 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. 1.28 crt.

Precious stones: One opal with an estimated weight of approximately 3.20 crt
  -  (more info on precious stones)

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

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

Dimensions: top of ring 1,80 cm (0,71 inch) x 1,60 cm (0,63 inch)

Weight: 7,30 gram (4,69 dwt)

Ring size Continental: 54 & 17¼ , Size US 6¾ , Size UK: N

Resizing: Free resizing, but because of the the way the ring is made, we cannot guarantee to make it on every size; so please ask in advance (only for extreme resizing we have to charge).
  -  (more info on ring sizes)

Reference Nº: 16014-0060

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


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