I've Got it All - 18th C. Antique Diamond Ring

Once upon a Time: A courtier to the King sighs as his clothes are carefully arranged on his person by his bevy of attendants. He prefers to close his own buttons, excessive in size and shimmer; they match exceedingly well his ego and his breech buckles.

Some Time Later (Decades upon Decades): Uncle Willy (The Baron of Something or Other) has left a bevy of bling to several heirs - and they are a’ twitter in deciding what to wear to the soiree. That huge diamond ring is just too much for any of those delicate hands – in unison they cry, “Maman must wear it!”

Today: She emerges from a London taxi, every inch of her ensemble orchestrated to a T - from her hand-crafted leather high heels clipping along the cobblestones to her sable trimmed hat. Even in her haste she catches a glimpse of the world reflected on her finger as she dashes to Claridge's to meet her..., well let’s just say an old admirer. Too bad it just isn't quite right to check lipstick in its reflection.

A large and fine 18th century diamond button has been transformed into a wondrous cluster ring. Set with twenty six (26) rose cut diamonds in foil backed silver mounts; it is an estimated 4 - 4.25 carats in diamond weight. Prismatic and shimmering - from the flicker of candlelight to the radiance in broad daylight – it is not to be missed. Every color of the rainbow emanates from its core.

It is quite common to find the grand buttons of the period translated into brooches and rings. Typical of work of the 18th century, it has the diamonds set in silver (the only white metal of the times), the stones all set closed backed and foiled and a rounded gold back, Typical too is the crimped metal edge and slightly convex form of the top. The back is high carat gold and is modern with a modern shank but styled exactly as an 18th century shank would be fashioned.

The ring is accompanied by a leather antique box with cream silk and tan velvet interior and is most likely not original to the ring.

Measurements: 13/16 of an inch (2.0 cm) in diameter and rises 1/4 of an inch (0.7 cm) off the finger. The ring has a weight of 7.1 grams (4.6 dwt),

Ring Size: US 7-1/4 (UK O; Euro 17-3/4, 55.5 mm) and can easily be sized.

Condition: Good; top excellent; later back plate; modern shank in an exact period style.

Date & Origin: Button is circa 1770, shank is modern.

Overall Scale: Very large

Note: All diamond weights are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.