Vintage Ring with Starlit Zircon & Diamond in White Gold, c. 1975

Zircon is a natural gemstone that is virtually unknown today. It has nothing in common with the inexpensive diamond substitute “zirconia,” which is manufactured in a laboratory and is essentially worthless. Genuine zircons are precious natural gemstones that can be found in many beautiful colours, with the blue varieties being particularly prized. These medium-blue gem-quality zircons are called “Starlit” or, in English, “Starlite.” They are created by firing dark brown zircons—which, in their raw state, look almost like ordinary coal—at temperatures around 1,000 degrees Celsius. With a bit of luck, this process produces the unmistakable blue colour, which ranks among the most sought-after colours in the zircon spectrum. Such a gemstone is the highlight of this ring. A total of twelve brilliant-cut diamonds with a combined weight of approximately 0.60 ct sparkle all around it. The diamonds are brilliant white and of very fine clarity, while the sky-blue zircon, weighing about one carat, boasts wonderful brilliance. The ring was crafted in the 1970s. When we discovered it, it had unfortunately lost its original center stone. We therefore had the zircon set into the ring.

Estimate:$1,884.11

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