Antique French Rock Crystal Ring

A graceful and beautifully preserved French ring of the early 19th century, c.1820, set with a luminous old-cut rock crystal mounted in silver, adjoining to an 18K yellow gold shank, a construction typical of French jewellery of the Empire and Restoration periods.

The gemstone, an antique round old-cut rock crystal measuring approximately 7mm in diameter, is set in a deeply cut-down silver collet. The setting is open-backed, allowing the stone to be cleaned easily and worn daily without concern.

The silver diamond setting sits above a slim, elegant 18K gold hoop. The contrast between the warm gold shank and the cool tone of the silver collet is a hallmark of rings of this date, echoing the aesthetic preferences of the period and offering a particularly striking visual balance.