Appraised Vintage Sapphire Ring / Natural Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Sapphires are legendary gemstones prized for wisdom, extreme durability, and vibrant colors. Ancient peoples viewed them as "stones of heaven" that offered divine protection, while modern buyers cherish them as resilient, meaningful alternatives to diamonds in fine jewelry.
Ancient Greeks and Romans believed blue sapphires protected royals from envy, harm, and captivity. Kings wore them into battle as talismans. In 1981, Prince Charles gave Lady Diana Spencer a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds. Prince William later presented this same ring to Catherine, Princess of Wales, permanently cementing the sapphire as an icon of modern royal romance.
This Art Deco style ring is a stunning royal blue natural sapphire, surrounded by sixteen (16) natural white diamonds.
The hallmarks on the inside of the shank really help to tell this ring's story. The ring is stamped from left to right: EF / 750 / (Tudor Rose) / (Crown) / Z / (2 0 0 0 in a cross) .
On the other side of the shank is stamped from left to right: K18 / Y / WG
The hallmarks indicate that the ring is manufactured by Eric Fitzgerald
"750" stamp on jewelry means the piece is made of 18-karat (18K) gold, which is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals
The Sheffield hallmark is an official stamp used to prove the metal purity of precious items, identified historically by a crown and currently by a Sheffield Assay Office rose. Established in 1773 by an Act of Parliament, the Sheffield Assay Office tests and marks gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Town Mark (1975–Present): Replaced by a Tudor/White Rose following the Hallmarking Act of 1973.
The crown gold hallmark is a traditional standard mark used historically in the United Kingdom and some European countries to designate gold purity. It typically indicates British gold standards like 18ct or 22ct
The date stamp Z indicts that the ring was made in 1999 or 2000 if paired with the millennium hallmark
Millennium Mark: A specialized optional punch signifying the turn of the millennium used in 1999 and 2000.
I have had the ring appraised. The ring was appraised by an independent gemologist and it reads as follows:
Gem Review Inc.
One stamped 18K yellow and white gold hand assembled sapphire and diamond ring contain(s):
1 oval shaped cut prong set Blue Sapphire / corundum, average gauging 7.00 x 5.80 x 3.20mm, 10% bulge factor, estimate total weight 1.08 cts.
Clarity: SI-1 Type II
Color: Med dark mod. strong v blue
Polish/ Symmetry: Medium/Medium
16 round brilliant cut bead set natural diamonds, average gauging 1.70 x 1.04mm (depth estimated), estimate total weight 0.32 cts.
Clarity: VS
Color: G - H
Cut: Good
Reference: Fine Gold Base at $3,600.00 CAD/Oz
Total diamond weight: 0.32 ct
Total colored stone weight: 1.08 ct
Item(s) weight: 5.3 g
Retail Value: $5,700.00 CAD
Date of Appraisal: Sep 30, 2024
There are some sizing bumps on the inside of the ring, those can be removed if you like (for an additional fee) Size with beads: 5.25 US / with beads removed it is estimated to be 5.5 - 5.75 US.
