Are these rings suitable for everyday wear?

Sapphires score nine on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them exceptionally durable for daily use on the hand. Platinum and high-carat gold mountings provide robust settings when the prongs remain thick and secure. Regular checks by a jeweller ensure that the claws holding the sapphire and diamonds do not thin over time. Gentle cleaning in warm soapy water restores the brilliance of the stones without harming the antique metal.

How do I tell an Art Deco ring from an Edwardian one?

Edwardian rings utilise yellow gold and platinum-topped shoulders with delicate openwork, millegrain edging, and floral motifs like the daisy cluster. Art Deco pieces favour stark geometry, platinum settings, calibre cut stones, and sharp linear profiles. Looking closely at the gallery and shank reveals the stylistic shift from romantic curved wirework to streamlined modernist design during the 1920s.

What does an unheated sapphire mean?

An unheated sapphire is a natural gemstone that has emerged from the earth with its colour and clarity entirely unaltered by artificial heat treatment. These stones rely solely on natural geological conditions for their vivid hue. Gemmological certification often accompanies unheated stones from origins like Ceylon or Burma, confirming their natural state to collectors and buyers.

How can I identify the period of my ring?

Hallmarks stamped inside the shank provide the primary clue to a ring's origin, often indicating assay offices, metal purity, and date letters. Stylistic traits such as old cut diamonds, platinum usage, and specific cluster arrangements narrow down the decade. Comparing the construction methods, such as hand-pierced galleries versus cast settings, helps distinguish Victorian and Edwardian work from later mid-century manufacturing.