The Setting: 2-level Bird-Nest Pyramid
- 28x20mm Visual Head
- 18K White Gold with UK Hallmark
- Framed by sixteen (16) nine-pointer (0.09ct) diamonds
- 1.44 carat Conflict-free diamonds in VS (or better) and color E (or better)
- Eight main prongs holding sapphire on second plateau
- Round brilliant diamonds each held by four prongs on base plateau
- 7.8 gram (incl. gems)
- Antique design with an open bird-nest casket allowing generous light from backside
- Raised center stone allows sideview into sapphire's girdle
- 7 USA / N (UK) (free resizing if needed)
Comment: Classic but extra queenly ring, in fact very close to the one Lady Diana got for her wedding (but without the window.... and cheaper.... buuh). 13x9mm sapphire surrounded by one and a half carat of high-luster diamonds assure attention and visibility. As in all jewelry-design, or all designs per se, there is a engineering AND art. The engineer needs to provide stability, weight distribution, comfort, amongst others, while the artist plays with dimensions, color combinations and visual harmony. Some of these objectives are opposing each-other, e.g. the artist wants a gem to 'float' with maximum light-input from all sites, but the engineer needs to use thick enough materials and strong prongs to keep the stone safe in the ring. Please study a few of David's masterful solution in this ring: The space behind the gem is 90% opened for max light, yet very strong-durable. My first impression of this style was 'spider-net' or 'birds-nest'. I will stick to the latter because of the, if undeserved, bad reputation of spiders amongst humans. Then, in the side-image, note how the gem is elevated (pyramid) to allow a good glimpse of color from all directions. Finally, check-out the front-image and see how little space the prongs steal from the gem, practically none, but they are unbreakable. David's design, and his goldsmith's implementations, are masterworks in optimizing such opposing objectives.
The Stone:
- Unheated & Untreated Natural Ceylon Sapphire 8.77 carat
- Shape Cushion: 13.25x9.59x7.79 mm
- Cut: Modified brilliant/step
- Color Grade: Very Good
- Tone: Medium Dark 65
- Color Zoning: None
- Clarity: Very Lightly Included
- Cutting Grade: Excellent (precision-cut in the UK)
- Depth: 81%
- Brilliancy: 75%
- Origin: Sri Lanka
Treatment: None
Certificate: GRS 2010-090226T
Overall Grade: Very Good+
Comment: Massive, almost nine carats, Ceylon sapphire with full GRS, unheated and with origin. No inclusions visible to the eye, and only minor ones even under the 10fold lens. The lively violet undertone gives the gem a special character, brighter than the 'common' cornflower blue, closer to a rich sky-blue in low light. This is the perfect hue and tone for those who dislike black-outs in the classically darker blue sapphires. In my 'Rainy-London-Day' handshots, a slight color-shift becomes visible when compared with the images under full daylight and on the lab report. It is not a full color change but an additional feature adding to the gem's personal character. No window, no inclusions, no treatments. Shipping, insurance etc. are free of charge plus an extra acre of rainforest with our WLT-program. Free re-sizing if needed.
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P.S. this is the first peek into the new line, on the higher $$$-side of the collection, with many other pieces in waiting for fresh lab reports, images etc. Stay tuned. Ask if you search something special.
