Belle Époque vintage ring in pearls and diamonds

Object group of antique jewelry
engagement ring (or anniversary ring)

Condition
very good condition
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Style
Belle Époque – The Belle Époque is a period in European social history that began at the end of the 19th century and lasted until the First World War. Taking place during the era of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the “Belle Époque” was named retrospectively, when it began to be regarded as a “golden age.” The great European powers and new technologies improved life, and commercial arts adapted Renaissance and 18th-century styles to modern forms. In the United States, newly wealthy and emerging from the Panic of 1873, this comparable era was called the Gilded Age. In the United Kingdom, this era overlapped the end of the so-called Victorian era and the period known as the Edwardian era.
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Style specifics
The Belle Époque (in French “Belle Époque”) is a period in European social history that began at the end of the 19th century with the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and lasted until the First World War (1914-1918).

Taking place during the era of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the “Belle Époque” was named retrospectively, when it began to be regarded as a “golden age”: the great European powers and new technologies improved life, and commercial arts adapted Renaissance and 18th-century styles to modern forms.

In the United States, newly wealthy and emerging from the Panic of 1873, this comparable era was dubbed the “Gilded Age.” In the United Kingdom, this era coincided with the end of the Victorian era and the period called the “Edwardian era.”

In the Belle Époque, cheap coal and labor contributed to the cult of the orchid and enabled the perfection of fruit grown under glass, while the apparatus of state dinners extended to the upper classes; champagne was perfected during the Belle Époque. Exotic feathers and furs played a bigger role than ever in fashion, with haute couture being invented in Paris, the center of the Belle Époque, where fashion began to evolve according to an annual cycle; in Paris, restaurants like Maxim’s achieved new splendor and prestige as parade grounds for the rich, and the Opéra Garnier devoted immense spaces to staircases, similar venues for spectacle.

After mid-century, railways linked all the major cities of Europe to spa towns like Biarritz and Deauville; their carriages were strictly divided into first and second class, but the wealthiest began to order private cars, exclusivity being the hallmark of opulent luxury. The bohemian lifestyle acquired a different glamour, practiced in the cabarets of Montmartre.

Period
circa 1910
Events and facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Material
Two tones of precious metal, the main part being in 18-carat yellow gold and the white parts in white gold or in platinum. (tested with a touchstone)
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Additional information
Engagement ring – In the West, in particular, an engagement ring indicates that the person wearing it is engaged. In the United Kingdom and North America, engagement rings are traditionally reserved for women and may be adorned with precious stones. In other cultures, men and women generally wear matching rings, sometimes simple. In some cultures, engagement rings are also used as Wedding bands.

Traditionally, the engagement ring is given by a man to his future wife when proposing marriage or immediately after her acceptance. It constitutes a formal agreement to marry. The rings may be purchased by the man, by the couple together, or by each partner for the other.

In North America and the United Kingdom, it is worn on the left ring finger, while in Poland and Ukraine, it is customary to wear it on the right hand. In Germany, it is worn on the left hand during the engagement, but on the right hand at the wedding. Similar traditions date back to antiquity, stemming from an ancient custom that designated the left hand's ring finger as containing the vena amoris, or the "vein of love."

Engagement rings were used in Roman times, but their return to the West only occurred in the 13th century. The first documented use of a diamond ring to symbolize engagement was by Archduke Maximilian of Austria at the imperial court of Vienna in 1477, during his engagement to Mary of Burgundy.

In the 20th century, if he could afford it, the Western groom would privately choose and purchase an engagement ring, which he would then offer to his future wife when proposing. More recently, couples often choose their engagement ring together. (according to Wikipedia)

Diamonds
Two old brilliant-cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.24 ct, color and clarity F/G, vs/si
30 rose-cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds, which is common in our trade for rose cuts.

All diamond weights, color grades, and clarity are approximate as the stones are not removed from their settings to preserve the integrity of the mounting.
All the diamonds we offer are checked by www.ijgc-worldwide.com to determine if they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this piece of jewelry are 100% guaranteed to be natural.

Gemstones
A saltwater pearl

All colored stone weights are approximate as the stones are not removed from their settings to preserve the integrity of the mounting.
It is very common to treat gemstones to enhance their clarity or color. This item has not been tested in this respect.

Birthstones
The diamond is the birthstone (or stone of the month) for April and the pearl for June.
more information about birthstones

Characteristics
No trace.
more information about hallmarks

Dimensions
ring height 0.91 cm (0.36 inch) x 2.00 cm (0.79 inch)
see the image with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
3.80 grams (2.44 dwt)

Continental EU ring size: 56 and 17¾, USA size: 7½, UK size: O½

Resizing
Free resizing (only for extreme resizing do we have to charge).
more information about ring sizes

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