Victorian 18ct Gold Crossover Ring Set With An Opal & Two Diamonds

A pretty 18ct75% pure gold (or 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts other metals) gold ring that was made in 1896. It already exhibits the Art NouveauA movement within the arts, particularly jewellery, evolving out of a response to mass production and the industrial revolution (1890-1915). Jewellery of this period was heavily influenced by nature and femininity, with its sweeping lines and organic motifs. botanical style with the two leaves on either side of the stones. In the centre is a lively opalOpals occur in a range of body colours from white, black or grey, bright orangey red and a pale watery colour. The most precious opals show strong colour contrast and generally have a dark body colour with a vivid array of colour play. that exhibits flashes of red, blue and green. On either side is an old mine cutAn 18th, 19th and early 20th century diamond shape, typically cushion or asymmetrical, marked by a small table, a high crown and a large culet. Culets are the small flat facets at the bottom of a stone which appear to the untrained eye as a hole in the middle of the stone. Before the advent of modern machinery which allows for the precise faceting we see tod… diamondA precious, lustrous gemstone made of highly compressed carbon. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials known to mankind. Colours of diamonds range from colourless, yellow, orange and brown to almost black. Natural coloured (or ‘fancy’) diamonds can be extremely rare. The cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond are the criteria jewellers use… that compliments the opal.  A lovely ring to wear.