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Antique Australian 15ct Rose Gold Garnet Doublet And Diamond Ring By William Drummond Circa 1905

Sale price$1,075.00 AUD

Laybys welcome! Contact Us today to secure your dream piece.

Dating to the late 19th to early 20th century this quite wonderful little ring is full of surprises.

Using a technique first used in or around 1850 this ring features three ‘Garnet Doublets’ ( read below for more info ) set in typical bridge style to which there are four small rough cut rose-cut diamond which add just the right amount of sparkle.
The faceted Garnet Doublets are a rich deep red and each are claw set, with the centre oval in cut and the outer two round in cut.

Modelled in 9ct lush rose gold of the hue that only true antique gold seems to exhibit and stamped so very clearly with William Drummonds hallmark ‘W 15 D’ and, so rarely seen in these early pieces of jewellery, the hallmarks - ‘DOUBLETS’.  

This iconic early piece of Australian jewellery is a rare little find and is in excellent condition for its age.

The tiny rough rose-cut diamonds would have been cut straight out of the mine and are closed back unlike modern diamonds which are open to the backs to allow the light to shine through.  These diamonds are not modern and are not brilliant-cuts so please don’t expect them to be the same.

One for the true collector of Australian jewellery however this ring is as wearable today as it was 120 years ago.

History of William Drummond

Brush & MacDonnell Company was initially founded in 1872 in a partnership of Samuel Brush and William Drummond in Collins Street. However, Samuel Brush died in 1878 and the firm was renamed Drummond & Co. William moved the company to Bourke Street where it had been renowned for style and quality since inception as Drummond later died in 1917.

Arguably one of the premier jewellery of Melbourne at the close of the Victorian era and well into the 20th century.

History of Garnet Topped Doublets

A Garnet and glass doublet uses a top portion of natural garnet fused to any colour of glass to imitate a gem. The colour of glass used in the doublet is all that is seen, as the garnet provides no colour. If seen in reflected light, a separation line may be seen. A harder garnet makes the stones more durable.

Garnet and glass doublets were first used around 1850 when it was noted that molten glass would adhere to garnet. It was a popular imitation for all types of gems in many colours because the colour of the glass became the only colour that could be seen. They were still being produced into the early 1900s until actual synthetic gems were introduced.

STONES
Diamond
Garnet topped Doublets

MEASUREMENTS
17.5mm x 6.55mm
Rise 3.2mm

WEIGHT
3.78 Grams

MARKS
‘W 15 D’ For William Drummond
‘DOUBLETS’

SIZE
M or 16.7mm diameter US 6 1/4
Sizeable with care not to disrupt hallmarks

CONDITION
Very very good antique condition.  No chips or abrasions to Garnet topped doublets, claws excellent.   Diamonds original and secure in their settings.  No thinning to shank, hallmarks are very crisp and clear.  Rare and lovely ring.