{"product_id":"18th-century-spanish-diamond-cluster-ring-c-1720","title":"18th Century Spanish Diamond Ring","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eA particularly characterful \u003cstrong\u003e18th-century Spanish diamond cluster ring\u003c\/strong\u003e, circa 1720. Crafted in high-carat gold, the substantial oval face is set with an assortment of early hand-cut diamonds, including both \u003cstrong\u003erose and table cuts\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eEach diamond sits within an individual gold rubover setting and is \u003cstrong\u003efoil-backed within a closed setting\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eUnmarked, as is common for jewellery of this period, the ring tests as approximately \u003cstrong\u003e18K gold\u003c\/strong\u003e. It survives in excellent condition for its age, with a substantial construction that remains sturdy and wearable today.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eA 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c.\u003ca href=\"tel:1720-1750\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e1720\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spain \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tests as 18K gold\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rose and table-cut diamonds\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBezel:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 x 9mm\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRing size:\u003c\/strong\u003e UK N\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.68g\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49310664294708,"sku":"1017810361","price":62001.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/raven127.jpg?v=1791133549","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/en-hk\/products\/18th-century-spanish-diamond-cluster-ring-c-1720","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}