A superb antique early 19th century rose cut diamond cluster ring.

The silver-topped gold bezel exhibits a gorgeous central domed rose cut diamond of fantastic clarity and a subtle pinkish champagne colour. It is held in position with silver prongs and surrounded by a halo of smaller rose cut diamonds in rubover settings. The triangular facets of the rose cuts allowed them to glisten more beautifully in candlelight. Towards the end of the 17th century, goldsmiths began to set diamonds in silver as they believed that only a white metal mounting could render the true beauty of a diamond. All the stones are in open-backed settings which explains why they all still they glisten so marvellously as they can be easily cleaned unlike the typical closed-back and foiled settings of the Georgian and Victorian periods which are prone to foil-darkening and dirt building up behind the stone.

The bezel is attached to a smooth D-shaped tapering band featuring a grooved and fluted motif running across. The gorgeous ring sits flat on the finger to allow for frequent wear. It remains in fantastic condition despite being its significant age; all the stones are still set very securely and there is evidence of a previous resizing at back of shank.

UK ring size H, US size 3.75

The ring weighs 3 grams, the oval silver-topped gold bezel measures 12mm x 10mm. The diamonds have an approximate total weight of 1.1cts (central diamond being about 0.8ct), the largest measuring 6mm x 4mm on its longest axes. The ring is unmarked but tests as 18K gold.