Elegant ring with emerald from Colombia & diamonds, Great Britain circa 1925

The First World War marked such a turning point that it fundamentally changed the way people wore jewelry. Whereas people had previously often worn a collection of different pieces imbued with sentimental value, they now selected a few high-quality jewels primarily based on whether they complemented their wardrobe. Fashion replaced sentiment. In the realm of rings, the dress ring—or dinner ring—reached its peak. Its function was purely aesthetic. As Harper's Bazaar wrote in 1929: "It is no longer common to wear two or three rings on each finger. Elegant society wears a diamond band as a wedding ring and a large solitaire ring, usually a diamond, as an engagement ring, and perhaps another dress ring to enhance the effect of the dress. The dress rings of our era mainly feature one large colored gemstone." The present ring dates from this period and centers on a bright green emerald from Colombia, weighing around one carat, set in a millegrain frame. The intensely green gemstone is surrounded by a sparkling halo of twelve diamonds. The diamonds, with a total weight of approximately 1.70 carats, lend the ring an aura of elegance and exclusivity. They are arranged to surround the emerald like the petals of a precious flower. While the gemstones are set in light platinum, the rest of the ring is crafted from high-carat white gold. The design and materials suggest that the ring was created in the 1920s. According to the hallmark, it was likely made in Great Britain. To independently confirm the quality and origin of the emerald and the natural formation of the diamonds, we had the piece tested in an independent gemological laboratory in Austria. The certificate issued there accompanies the ring and attests to its exceptional quality.

Estimate:$12,037.98

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