How do I care for an antique ring?

Clean your ring using warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding harsh ultrasonic cleaners that can damage historic settings. Regular professional checks ensure the claws holding the old cut diamonds remain secure. Store the piece separately in a fabric-lined box to prevent the 18ct gold and platinum from scratching against other jewellery.

Can I wear my ring every day?

These rings were built for daily wear, combining durable 18ct gold and platinum with hard diamond centre stones. However, taking the ring off during heavy manual work protects the delicate claw settings and softer side stones. Routine inspection by a jeweller helps maintain the structural integrity of older mountings over generations of use.

How do I identify the period of a ring?

Dating relies on stylistic clues like Edwardian millegrain work, Victorian starburst motifs, or geometric Art Deco lines. Hallmarks stamped inside the 18ct gold shank provide official assay office symbols and date letters. Comparing the hand-cut facets of the diamonds against known historical styles confirms whether a stone is original to the mount.

What does natural fancy yellow mean?

Natural fancy yellow describes a diamond whose body colour is a distinct, natural yellow rather than a colourless stone with a faint tint. These shades range from light yellow to deeper fancy yellow hues. The colour is formed by trace elements absorbed during the diamond's creation deep within the earth.