Category Archives: rare

An absolutely scarce and extremely rare antique Victorian era 19th Century Men’s signet ring crafted in Imperial China during the late Qing Dynasty, circa 1890. The 20 karat yellow gold ring is comprising a fancy mixed cushion portrait cut natural and untreated sapphire of great Royal Blue color, although due to its shallow and flat portrait cut the sapphire seems very transparent, while its full Royal Blue color becomes fully evident when worn on a finger. Antique Chinese Qing Dy period men’s signet rings of this quality, shape and style are seldomly seen for sale and are true collector jewelry gems. The natural untreated sapphire has an estimated weight of 9.20 carats and was stated by GCS London to have no indications of heating and free of any treatments whatsoever, as well as of Ceylon origin, although its rare red fluorescence under UV light is more typical to sapphires of Kashmir origin where the sapphire deposits used to contain more chromium in their crystal structure, while Ceylon sapphires rarely possess such. Therefore, it would be wiser to any future owner to seek a second opinion through SSEF, Gubeling or GRS in Switzerland since a possible natural Kashmir sapphire of this 9.20 carat weight would certainly have a much higher value. The sapphire has a great VS eye clean clarity with a rare small natural inclusion that under a loupe magnification exhibits the shape of what would one describe as a galaxy observed through a telescope. This natural inclusion occurred due to natural growth of the crystal and is a true gemological collector example that is normally shown in gemology curiosity albums and catalogues. The fancy cut sapphire measures 14.2×14.1×4.0mm and is set into a very elaborately crafted yellow gold setting with hand carved and engraved gold ornaments resembling floral and other motifs. It is a typical gentleman’s ring that one would expect to have belonged to the aristocratic nobility or another upper class person and certainly an extremely rare piece of Imperial Chinese origin. The inside of the shank contains two maker’s marks or control marks with Chinese symbols that are previously unknown to us. Gross weight of the ring is 9.9 grams and its square shaped top measures 17.5×17.5mm. Ring size is 59 (US size 8.75 / UK size R), but can be resized. The ring is accompanied by the original GCS London Gem Lab Report. It is certainly not the Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels or Bulgari antique jewelry collector piece, but it is an emblematic jewelry that makes a statement by itself. An absolutely scarce and important piece and one of the rare Imperial Chinese Qing dynasty natural sapphire rings and jewels. The item “Rare Antique 19th C Chinese Qing Natural Untreated 9.20 Cts Sapphire MEN’S Ring” is in sale since Sunday, August 30, 2020. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Fine\Victorian, Edwardian 1837-1910\Rings”. The seller is “vicbg” and is located in Wien. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: China
• Style: Signet
• Certification: GCS
• Ethnic Origin: Chinese
• Gender: Male
• Metal Purity: 20k
• Main Stone: Sapphire
• Metal: Yellow Gold
• Brand: Antique
• Ring Size: 8.75