Not until recently, I was bequeathed a solitaire ring from an elder aunt. A one-carat diamond mounted on a simple gold band, it was fairly modest as solitaires go, and though it may sound cliché when I say it was the thought that counted but, I meant every word of it.
Diamond rings by DILYS’
The ring came into my aunt’s possession through an acquaintance who desperately needed some quick cash. The ring was rendered as collateral but for some reason eventually sold to my aunt.
Back in the ’60s, there was neither a professional valuer nor any sort of certification for precious stones. At most, these pieces would be brought to a nearby goldsmith for ‘authentication’. Transactions were mostly reliant on trust and cash. And when jewellery pieces were desirable in price but not in design, the buyer would simply have it ‘re-set’ by the goldsmith.
40.09ct cushion cut diamond ring, GRAFF
My aunt apparently liked the design of this ring, as she would say, “the straightforward band highlighted the diamond well,” and she did wear it often enough.
However, this heirloom brought a sweet ‘dilemma’ to me. A solitaire ring would come across too ‘girly’ for a grownup man. Plus, it was uncomfortable tight. I had two choices: keep it in a locked drawer and probably lose all memory of it, or have it ‘re-set’ by my favourite jeweller.
Diamond ring, IVY
Looking at the ring, I realised it was more than just a piece of jewellery. It had meant something to its owners; in its complete form it obviously gave them much joy, so to break it apart seemed such a shame.
3.18ct white gold ring with a pear-shape diamond, GUBELIN
I decided to keep it whole yet, the thought of burying it in a safe also seemed a betrayal of its purpose. How to wear it tastefully then? The only finger it fitted on was my little finger, so I tried a ‘many-rings-on-the-same-finger’ approach, combining it with more ‘masculine’ designs.
And it worked. Mixing and matching rings to suit different occasions is a ritual I now look forward to when dressing up. This little diamond ring has made another owner very happy.
Image opener: ‘An Important Diamond Ring’, a 7.12ct step-cut diamond, between tapered baguette-cut diamond shoulders. Courtesy of BONHAMS
