Antique Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring in Silver on Gold, c. 1900

"The ruby is another gem affected in the affairs of love, and allowed nowadays to appear in an engagement ring. Its glowing color is emblematic of passionate affection, and diverse good fortunes are supposed to attend the wearer of a ruby." - [Anon:] Etiquette. The Sarnia Observer, January 14, 1887, n. p. [S. 7.] The cultural history of gemstones is sometimes as beautiful as the minerals themselves. In all cultures, they were attributed magical abilities, healing powers, but also various meanings. Gemstones were used to convey messages, especially in engagement rings. For example, its red colour made the ruby a symbol of passionate love, making it a coveted choice in engagement rings towards the end of the 19th century. At the center of this ring is a large, natural ruby from Siam (now Thailand). The stone weighs around 6.00 ct and is a rich red color. The stone appears silky, clear and yet not completely transparent, and is enriched by glowing reflections of light on the inside. Its cut, an unusual combination of a cabochon bottom and a faceted top, is designed to intensify this color and preserve as much material as possible. Its colour has only been enhanced by heating. A ruby of this size and quality from ancient Siam is a rare find. In the 1890s, rubies were mined there on behalf of the British company The Sapphires and Rubies of Siam, Ltd., among others. An advertisement for the company published in The Economist in 1890 stated: "The greater part of the rubies from Siam are dark in color, but parcels of the best colored stones fetch good prices, and many individual stones may be said to rival the best Burmah rubies." This ring effectively presents the large ruby in a fine, millegrain gold frame, surrounded by a ring of glistening old cut diamonds which are set in silber to enhance their white color. Two further diamonds lead to the ring band, which is not visible when worn – only gemstones appear to float on the finger. The gallery is equally sophisticated and looks like a delicate garland of gold. We will ship the antique ring with an independent DEGEB certificate. An Italian appraisal that reached us with the ring from Monaco states that the ruby originated in Thailand, which we were able to confirm here on site.

Estimate:£16,895.16

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