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Diamonds Are Forever, sold in our first Fine Art Sale of 2018

Debbie Porter

‘A Diamond is Forever’ and Diamonds are a ‘girl’s’ best friend! 

Ladies, don’t miss out on the opportunity to own one of these gorgeous pieces.  They will be up for sale in the first Antiques, Rare Pottery & Fine Art Auction to be held on Saturday, March 10th, 2018. 

Spectacular 4.5 carat single stone diamond solitaire ring, the shoulders each set with 4 tiny diamonds.  The shank and setting are all platinum. UK ring size P. Certificate details to follow.  

Diamonds have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India.  Their usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history.  The popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th Century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques. 

The most familiar uses of diamonds today are as gemstones used for adornment, and as industrial abrasives for cutting hard materials. The dispersion of white light into spectral colors is the primary gemological characteristic of gem diamonds. 

In the 20th Century, experts in gemology developed methods of grading diamonds and other gemstones based on the characteristics most important to their value as a gem. Four characteristics, known informally as the four C’s, are now commonly used as the basic description of diamonds: these are carat (weight), cut (quality of the cut is graded according to proportions, symmetry and polish), color (how close to white or colorless), and clarity (how free is it from imperfections).  A large, flawless diamond is known as a paragon. 

Coming up in our March 10th Sale – Lot 929 – 18ct white gold ring set with a centre square diamond surrounded by 22 small diamonds, size O, 3.6 grams.  Estimate £250 – £500.                    

Sale Price £10,400.00

Believe it or not, diamonds did not always go hand-in-hand with love and marriage. It has only been in the last century that they became an engagement ring staple.  The diamond as a symbol for commitment makes perfect sense.

Prior to the 20th Century, diamonds were common in engagement rings, but we have jewellery retailer ‘De Beers’  to thank for the diamond’s eventual dominance.  In 1947 ‘De Beers’ started their advertising campaign,  “A Diamond Is Forever.”  ‘De Beers’ made diamonds synonymous with the contract of marriage — unbreakable and precious. The stones were a pricey status symbol before ‘De Beers’ advert, but the retailer made them an indispensable part of the marriage ritual.

‘De Beers’ were right to draw parallels between diamonds and eternity. Diamonds are believed to be incredibly strong, and the diamond represents purpose, dedication and devotion. 

Coming up in the first Antiques, Rare Pottery & Fine Art Auction 2018, are the following items!

Lot 921 – 18ct gold ladies five stone diamond ring size I, 2.5 grams.  Estimate £60 – £120.  Sale Price £70,00.

Lot 956 – 14ct white gold eternity ring set with 9 baguette diamonds, 6.3 grams.  Estimate £150 – £300

Lot 913 – Yellow metal brooch set with two old cut diamonds, 2.8 grams.  Estimate £30 – £60.  Sale Price £32.00.

Lot 916 – Yellow metal dragonfly pendant set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and a pearl, 5 grams.  Estimate £50 – £100.  Sale Price £200.00.

Below are a selection of beautiful pieces containing diamonds that have been sold in previous sales.

From February 2017

Lot 1084 – 18ct gold necklace set with 38 sapphires and 76 diamonds (33.5g), Estimate £1,500.00 – £3,000.00.  Sale Price: £2,700.00

Lot 1086 – Ladies 14ct ring set with pear shaped diamond, flanked with two smaller diamonds, centre stone weighing .90 carats (3.6g), independent valuation certificate from July 2016 at £7400, Estimate £400.00 – £800.00.  Sale Price: £1,000.00

From November 2017

Lot 1500 – 18ct Iliana white gold ring set with 12 diamonds, 4.7grams, Estimate £150.00 – £300.00.  Sale Price: £220.00  From June 2017

Lot 1529 – 18ct white gold set diamond cluster ring (approx 2.2ct), an impressive large cluster comprising 12 marquis cut diamonds, each about 0.13ct/5mm x 2.5mm and 8 round cut diamonds each between 0.05 and 0.20ct. UK ring size J. Estimate £1,200.00 – £2,400.00.  Sale Price: £1,100.00.

If you have any jewellery you would like to auction please contact us, telephone 01782 638100.  

We are currently taking entries for our November 2018 Antiques, Rare Pottery & Fine Art Auction.