Exceptionally rare and wonderful Rose cut diamond, circa 1760, set on silver topped-gold. Approx 6ct. Amazingly, after so much time, this has its original setting and shank, and has not been restored or repaired. Approx L/M colour, I1 clarity.
Diamonds were incredibly rare in the 18th century – there was no large-scale mining or machinery, so this was almost certainly an alluvial find from India, which would have been carried back to London or Amsterdam for polishing. Most diamonds found in that era was quite small, this would have been unbelievably large. One can only imagine the original recipient – who was she? What was the event? The charm and age of this piece is fabulous!