Georgian Rose-cut Diamond Ring -- Golconda region

Photo warning -- they do not do this ring justice. The diamond is gorgeous and every time I wear it, someone is trying to buy it off my hand....

A Georgian ring, English-made, circa 1780, with the ribbed gold shank supporting a silver bezel set with a large rose-cut diamond in a foiled, rub-over setting. The stone spreads 3 carats and measures 1/2 an inch by 1/3 of an inch. The shoulders of the ring are set with two table-cut diamonds.

A reputable gemologist has attributed the rose-cut diamond's origin to the Golconda region in India. During the 18th century most of the world’s diamonds came from India. A group of mines concentrated around the Krishna River in the Kingdom of Golconda, located in the modern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, were a major source of Indian diamonds. A majority of the diamonds mined were subsequently sold in the City of Golconda which became a major trading center.

Several of the major mines, including Rammalakota and Kollur are mentioned by the 17th century French gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier as being a source of high quality diamonds. Golconda diamonds have a characteristic subtle, luminous quality and a high degree of transparency. Due to diamond cutting techniques in the 18th century it was almost impossible to achieve a perfectly symmetrical stone and the setting on this ring has been made to follow the contours of the diamond.