Art Deco Colour-Change Sapphire Ring
An incredible vintage statement dating from the Art Deco era, circa 1930. It's set with an unusual gemstone: an early flame fusion colour-change sapphire that displays a purple body colour with vivid blue flashes in daylight, and bright pink flashes under incandescent bulbs. It's set in a heavy 22ct gold signet ring mount, using simple geometric angles and lines to stunning effect. Quintessentially Art Deco.
Flame fusion (VFF) was the first technique, perfected by Auguste Verneuil in the 1880s, that allowed for the creation of sapphires in the laboratory. The stones have an identical mineral make-up to naturally occurring sapphire (corundum, to use the correct mineralogical term): powdered aluminium oxide is passed through a super-hot oxyhydrogen flame, along with colouring metals (in this case vanadium and chromium to give the colour-change effect), fusing them together in the specific crystalline structure of corundum. Over time, Verneuil's technique was honed and refined until precious gemstones of remarkable colour and clarity could be produced for the jewellery industry. Experimentation with different colouring agents eventually led to the discovery that added vanadium would not only give a rich, intense purple colour, but, if paired with chromium, it would allow the creation of colour change stones like this one.
Era: Art Deco, circa 1930
Ring size: L or 5.75 US. Resizable for £45
Head size: 13.7mm by 11.5mm
Stone: Colour-Change Sapphire (Lab-Grown)
Marks: None, tested as 22ct gold
Condition: Great vintage condition with fine gold patina
Full appraisal document provided with each item
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable)
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Shipping
Express shipping is free of charge and carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
UPS Express (International)
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
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Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£35 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
A 25% deposit will be taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved, often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
More Questions?
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alex@lostowl.jewelry