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Diamond, Pearl Ring GIA Certified Natural, Edwardian, Black Starr and Frost

About the Item

This is a magnificent Edwardian Era (circa 1905) GIA-certified natural (uncultured) saltwater pearl and diamond ring, fabricated by hand in platinum by the oldest jeweler in America, Black, Starr & Frost. This exquisite and sensuous jewel was constructed by a craftsman of consummate Gilded-age skill to showcase what was, at the time, considered to be among the most precious and coveted of all gems: the natural pearl. You see, when this ring was created cultured pearls did not yet quite exist. Pearls had to be located by hand and by chance —a very rare occurrence. For centuries preceding the discovery of the diamond mines of South Africa, it was pearls that the great Monarchs of Europe wanted more than any other gemstone. And it is precisely a pearl such as this one that makes you understand why that is. Luminous and almost trembling with light, this soft, creamy pearl has the faintest blush of pink. Or is it blue? Or is both? Fine pearls display a prismatic color play of light across their surface called, orient. As you study the pearl and turn your hand, a smear of rainbow chases around the edge of the pearl. This is a sizeable pearl, measuring 9.01 x 8.85mm. Were this a cultured Akoya pearl, those measurements would classify this pearl as a luxury-sized pearl, rare and fine. The fact that such a pearl is natural and uncultured makes this treasure unspeakably uncommon. Two old Europeran-cut diamonds reside withinin milgrain-trimmed baskets on either side of the pearl. Together, these diamonds weigh approximately 1.40 carats. They are well-matched for color and that color would be J/K. There is a tiny warmth within the soul at the center of each diamond. This subtle warmth compliments, perfectly, the pearl. Black Starr & Frost could have used blazing white D/F diamonds had they chosen to. The very slight warmth you see in these diamonds is by choice. They predate the GIA/s formal diamond unification tool, the 4C's. The 4C's cannot quantify the beauty or character of an old diamond. These stones are quite clean; VVS2 in my opinion as a gemologist. The GIA does not certify mounted diamonds and I'm not willing to remove them from the setting, therefore the diamonds do not have certificates. The platinum mounting would be a work of art if it were stripped bare of all its gems and presented as a scaffolding for the finger. It is a peerless mounting all by itself. Some jewels possess a certain rare quality akin to charisma or even "star quality" in a person. This ring is such a jewel. It features one of the rarest gems there is: the natural saltwater pearl. And two of the most beautifully cut and subtly colored diamonds with the clearest "water." Currently a size 6, this ring could be resized by your local jeweler. No metal fineness mark. Stamped with "B . S & F ." maker's mark. Have you ever seen a thing that was so beautiful you caught yourself holding your breath? I did that the first time I saw this ring. And I suspect this is the origin of the cliche, breathtaking. When you're confronted with something that is, in some way, in possession of a profound beauty, you can forget to breathe. That experience is found here in this peerless natural pearl and diamond ring. Treasures such as this do not come along often.

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