DATE: Edwardian, c.1912

Cool antique gypsy ring dating from 1912. It's home to five old mine cut diamonds - approx. 22pts in total - set in long, scalloped prong mounts that create an open gallery allowing a generous amount of light in behind the stones. Crafted in 18 karat gold with London hallmarks confirming both the gold and the year.

Ever wondered what's up with the term "gypsy ring"? I have for a long time, and no-one seems to know for certain... but there are a couple of theories that go around. The most commonly cited tale is that in the Victorian times, and possibly slightly earlier, aristocratic types travelling between their city dwellings and rural estates were afraid of robbers/highwaymen/bandits/etc. holding up their coaches and stealing their cash and belongings - including, of course, jewellery. So to try and... I dunno... prevent their jewels being take, they would have the stones set flush with the gold so they couldn't be easily pried out. Or something. It sounds relatively far-fetched to me - I mean, clearly they'd just take the ring off the finger at that point? Possibly the finger with it. I'm guessing the unfortunate etymology is tied into a particular brand of Victorian racism that marked the entire Roma ethnic group as criminals/wrong-uns. Certainly not appropriate for contemporary times, so I'm always a little uneasy about using the term, but it's how they're referred to on both sides of the trade. Anyone out there know any more rational info on the nomenclature?

STONES 

Old Mine Cut Diamonds, 0.22ct total (calculated) - G/H colour - SI1-I1 clarity

MEASUREMENTS 

Size: 7.25

Width at head: 5.7mm

WEIGHT 

2.4g

MARKS 

English hallmarks for 18k gold, London 1912

CONDITION 

Very good