Hancocks

1.78ct Antique Pear Shaped Diamond and Engraved Gold Solitaire Ring

A stunning pear shape diamond solitaire ring by Hancocks, set with a wonderfully bright and lively old-cut pear-shaped diamond weighing 1.78ct and of G colour and VS1 clarity, in a platinum five claw setting with scalloped gallery, all to a finely crafted 18ct gold square section band with hand engraved scroll and foliate details and millegrain edging.
£27,500.00
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Information

Maker
Hancocks
Origin
London
Period
Contemporary
Gemstone
1.78ct G VS1 old cut pear shaped diamond with GIA certificate
Setting
Platinum and 18ct gold with maker's mark and London assay marks
Dimensions
UK finger size L, US size 5.75 (Can be resized) Head 10.5mm x 8.4mm Band 2mm
REF
128083

Director’s Notes

The pear shaped diamond has long been loved for its elegant and flattering tear drop shape.  It is unusual for a diamond cut in that it is one of very few shapes that is not symmetrical but instead combines both the generous curved form of a round brilliant with the elongated tapering point of a marquise shape. The origins of this diamond cut can be traced back to 15th century Belgium and a man named Lodewyk van Bercken who was renowned throughout Europe for inventing a piece of diamond cutting machinery called a scaif. This rotating wheel impregnated with oil and diamond powder facilitated a quality of diamond cutting and polishing previously unknown. As van Bercken’s reputation as a diamond cutter spread, he was able to experiment more freely and this resulted in the development of the pear shape amongst others. Early pear shapes, like their rounded sisters, were gentler in form than today’s modern cuts. Proportions can vary hugely with this shape from wide soft pears to long narrow ones but the antique cuts we favour are of the softer variety.  Typically on the fuller side with a softly curved end and a gently rounded tip they often have a flat open culet and faceting style that resembles old mine cut diamonds. The smaller table facet and higher crown allow these old cuts to display a wonderful fire and liveliness which, coupled with their beautiful shape, makes them particularly alluring. The most famous pear shape diamond is the historic Cullinan I, which is also the world’s largest colourless cut diamond weighing in at 530.2cts. It is set in the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre which is part of the Crown Jewels and is used during coronation services.

About The Maker

Hancocks

Within the archives of the London jewellers Hancocks, there exists the most extraordinary book.  Large, heavy and showing distinct signs of age it is filled with page after page of diary entries documenting almost one hundred and twenty years of not only company history but social history as well.