Diamond Delight - Vintage Signed 'Bridal Wreath' 18k Yellow & 14K White Gold Diamond 'Forget Me Knot' Milgrain Engagement Ring (VR1119)

Diamond Delight - Vintage Signed 'Bridal Wreath' 18K Yellow & 14K White Gold Natural Diamond 'Forget Me Knot' Milgrain Engagement Ring . This lovely ring is crafted from 18K yellow gold, and 14K white gold, hallmarked 18K/14K, and tested. The ring is signed with a makers mark BRIDAL WREATH. The ring features one natural round brilliant cut diamond, vintage era styling and quality gold-work. This pretty engagement ring is expertly claw-set with a sparkling central diamond, in an exquisite square shaped miligrain decorated gallery. The ring is mostly crafted in yellow gold, with the exception of the galleries which is crafted in white gold. The shoulders are also crafted in yellow, and white gold, which is decorated by delicate 'forget-me-knot flowers', and carvings. The two tone gold gives the ring contrast, and off-sets the diamonds and the raised detail from the rest of the ring. The shank is smooth, and polished, which allows for easy sizing, and a comfortable fit. This vintage ring would make a beautiful engagement ring for that special someone. 

Note: Very pretty ring. Wonderful quality, and dainty yet substantial for daily wear. 

History: The earliest diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, although the youngest of these deposits were formed 900 million years ago. A majority of these early stones were transported along the network of trade routes that connected India and China, commonly known as the Silk Road.

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

Although the origin of white color gold dates back to 1710, where it was discovered by two alchemists in Germany, it wasn't used widely until much later. White gold as we know it today was really popularised in the 1920s. Although it might seem strange, this luxury material came to popularity in wartime. 

Forget-me-not jewelry, featuring the Myosotis flower, historically symbolizes true love, fidelity, and remembrance. Popularized during the 19th century Victorian era and again during WWII, these pieces were exchanged as tokens of devotion, mourning, or to remember loved ones during long separations. In the Edwardian, Art Deco, and early vintage period 'Forget-Me-Knot' flower decorations were often used in bridal jewelry. 

Milgrain, derived from the French mille-grain ("a thousand grains"), refers to a decorative technique applying tiny, raised metal beads to the edges of jewelry. While originating in Asia thousands of years ago, it peaked during the Edwardian (1901-1919) and the Art Deco period (1920s to 1930s) eras to add intricate texture and a vintage , refined look. 

"Bridal Wreath" jewelry, particularly the Art Deco era engagement rings with illusion-set diamonds, was a registered trademark of Abel Bros. & Co. of New York., which began operations around 1915. These rings often feature the "Bridal Wreath" stamp alongside a crown-over-C hallmark from Montreal-based manufacturer Caron

Measurements: Face of Ring 14.00 mm x 6.00 mm 

Stone Size: Diamond .03 carats 

Weight: 1.90  grams 

Ring Size: 8

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America, New York      Made by:  Abel Bros & Co of New York. 

Date: Circa 1940