Belle Epoque ring in 18K yellow gold, platinum and diamonds

Introducing our Belle Epoque ring in 18-karat gold with diamonds set in platinum settings, a romantic and delicate piece that sits comfortably on the hand. Discreet and subtle, this ring with its delicate floral motifs is an ideal piece for those who love antique jewelry and the particular charm of rose cut and old cut diamonds.

The diamond, the hardest mineral in nature, can only be cut with another diamond. Its name comes from the ancient Greek ἀδάμας, meaning “unbreakable, indomitable,” and it is thought to have been first recognized and mined in India many centuries ago. Diamond cutting, however, is less ancient, beginning around the 15th century when the grinding wheel was invented and it was discovered that only a diamond could cut another diamond. The rose cut dates from the early 16th century and consists of a flat base with a series of facets cut in a pyramidal shape on top.

Regarding the era to which our ring belongs, the Belle Époque, we can say that it is a historical period spanning the late 19th century and the beginning of the First World War in 1914. Contemporary with Modernism and Noucentisme, it has a more conventional style characterized by the use of expensive materials such as diamonds and platinum, which was more highly valued than gold. The jewelry of this period is almost entirely “white” due to the primary use of silver, diamonds, and pearls, and it draws its inspiration from the jewelry of the court of Versailles during the reign of Louis XVI. It is very common to find pieces from this period made of yellow gold in which the stones and diamonds were set in platinum settings, a way of achieving the desired “white” effect without having to make the entire piece from the expensive metal. Curves and symmetrical floral designs, as well as bows and garlands, are very characteristic.

This ring with its central old-cut diamond of 0.07 carats dates from the late Belle Époque period, as it includes some decorative geometric motifs that anticipate Art Deco and was surely once an engagement ring.