Antique Sapphire and Diamond Three stone ring

This stunning antique sapphire and diamond three-stone ring has been a project of passion for us. Almost a year ago, a client walked into our shop with this ring, wanting to unset the diamonds and create two engagement rings — one each for her two sons.

We flat out refused.

It was agreed that we would provide two diamonds of commensurate, if not better, weight and specification, make two engagement rings, and the ring — in its fairly poor condition — would be used as payment. The ring you see now has undergone full restoration, starting with the sapphire. The facets of the sapphire showed the ring's age, with 100 years of wear taking its toll. The sapphire has been professionally polished by one of the country's top lapidaries, losing only 0.08ct in the process.

It was then time to certificate the stones. With all the stones out of their settings, we have a precise certification for each stone. The principal stone — being the sapphire — was certified by the Gem and Pearl Laboratory of Kirby Street, London, as faceted mixed cut, 2.08ct, no-heat natural sapphire. That makes this stone a truly special piece.

The delicate scrollwork settings have been re-tipped in an honest traditional manner so as to retain the handmade aesthetics of the ring. It has been a pleasure from start to finish, culminating in a train journey to Hatton Garden to deliver and eventually collect it from a specialist diamond and gemstone setter. A few sleepless nights were had while the sapphire was being shipped to and from the lapidary and the lab, but all in all, it has been totally worth it.

Metal: Platinum.

Marks: Unmarked. We have used new platinum 950 metal to hand-make a new shank and used platinum wire to re-tip the claws. Tests fully confirm platinum.

Measurements: The head of the ring measures 9mm at its widest and spreads 21mm across the finger, rising 5mm off the finger.

Stones: Principal natural no-heat sapphire, 2.08ct, of circular mixed cut. The colour is a wonderfully deep metallic blue, which would happily fall into the Royal Cornflower blue category of colours.

The diamonds are certified as old cuts: one 1.13ct, colour I, clarity SI2; the other 1.06ct, colour I, clarity SI2.

Weight: 4.63 grams.

Condition: Excellent after restoration. This is an antique piece, and before restoration it did show that it had been worn for 100 years. We have retained the delicate scrollwork, which avoided any wear, but the shank and claws needed work. We have done this restoration work in an honest, old-fashioned manner.

Finger size: UK N½ – US 7.