This stunning ring - from historic Canadian jewelers, Birks - is like a perfect pair of vintage jeans. Soft and smooth, worn in, and perfect with every single thing in your wardrobe. Set with a bright transitional cut diamond, we suspect this ring dates to about the 1930s or 1940s. The transitional cut, named for its place in diamond history, is more accurately a range of cuts that fall between the more recognizable old European cut (known for its visible culet and broader facets) and the contemporary round brilliant cut (with a pinpoint of a culet and tightly defined facet angles). While antique diamonds like old Euros were cut to maximize weight retention while enhancing the stone’s optic properties, the round brilliant - which was conceived of by an engineer, naturally - was intended to be a mathematically perfect showcase of how a diamond returns light in the form of fire (dispersion, or rainbows) and brilliance (reflected white light). Of course, this diamond cutting theory and its applications didn’t come about or spread worldwide all at once, and the first half of the 20th century is a treasure trove of diamonds that fall into this transitional style.

Very good vintage condition with wear in line with age and use.

Details:
• 14k yellow gold, signed Birks
• 9.25 can be resized within two sizes
• One transitional cut diamond, approximately 0.35ct G-H VS 
• Face of ring measures 7.3mm wide, 7mm across, with a rise of 3.5mm; back of band measures 3.9mm wide and 1.1mm thick
• 5.2g