18th Century Spanish Diamond Ring
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A particularly characterful 18th-century Spanish diamond cluster ring, circa 1720. Crafted in high-carat gold, the substantial oval face is set with an assortment of early hand-cut diamonds, including both rose and table cuts.Each diamond sits within an individual gold rubover setting and is foil-backed within a closed setting, characteristic of early 18th-century jewellery. The irregular cuts and reflective foils were designed to maximise the stones’ brilliance in the low, flickering light of candles.The central oval panel is surrounded by eight diamonds of varying shapes and cuts, giving the ring the wonderfully irregular appearance associated with early Iberian jewellery. Further chased and pierced decoration extends onto the shoulders.Unmarked, as is common for jewellery of this period, the ring tests as approximately 18K gold. It survives in excellent condition for its age, with a substantial construction that remains sturdy and wearable today.A similar diamond ring resides in the Met museum, which is from a group of nine ‘nun’s rings’ from a Spanish convent dating from the late 17th-early 18th century (accession Number: L.2015.72.18a-i). These rings, belonging to wealthy nuns are exceedingly rare, and only found in Spain and Mexico. Today, when you take your vows to become a nun you renounce all your personal wealth and jewellery - but that wasn’t always the case. In the 18th century, it was also custom for nuns to be given a ring to wear when they take their vows to become a “bride of Christ”. Nuns of a wealthy background, particularly those heading to very affluent religious orders, were often bestowed by their family particularly elaborate gold rings set with diamonds. Some religious orders, like the Conceptionists, had large libraries full of rare books, as well as a wide range of scientific and musical instruments at their disposal, and even servants.Date: c.1720Origin: SpainMetal: Tests as 18K goldStones: Rose and table-cut diamondsBezel: 12 x 9mmRing size: UK NWeight: 5.68g
A particularly characterful 18th-century Spanish diamond cluster ring, circa 1720. Crafted in high-carat gold, the substantial oval face is set with an assortment of early hand-cut diamonds, including both rose and table cuts.
Each diamond sits within an individual gold rubover setting and is foil-backed within a closed setting, characteristic of early 18th-century jewellery. The irregular cuts and reflective foils were designed to maximise the stones’ brilliance in the low, flickering light of candles.
The central oval panel is surrounded by eight diamonds of varying shapes and cuts, giving the ring the wonderfully irregular appearance associated with early Iberian jewellery. Further chased and pierced decoration extends onto the shoulders.
Unmarked, as is common for jewellery of this period, the ring tests as approximately 18K gold. It survives in excellent condition for its age, with a substantial construction that remains sturdy and wearable today.
A similar diamond ring resides in the Met museum, which is from a group of nine ‘nun’s rings’ from a Spanish convent dating from the late 17th-early 18th century (accession Number: L.2015.72.18a-i). These rings, belonging to wealthy nuns are exceedingly rare, and only found in Spain and Mexico. Today, when you take your vows to become a nun you renounce all your personal wealth and jewellery - but that wasn’t always the case. In the 18th century, it was also custom for nuns to be given a ring to wear when they take their vows to become a “bride of Christ”. Nuns of a wealthy background, particularly those heading to very affluent religious orders, were often bestowed by their family particularly elaborate gold rings set with diamonds. Some religious orders, like the Conceptionists, had large libraries full of rare books, as well as a wide range of scientific and musical instruments at their disposal, and even servants.
Date: c.1720
Origin: Spain
Metal: Tests as 18K gold
Stones: Rose and table-cut diamonds
Bezel: 12 x 9mm
Ring size: UK N
Weight: 5.68g
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