Sapphire and diamond ring, early 20^th century. At the heart of this beautiful cluster is a circular-cut sapphire in a rich shade of violet-pink. It is surrounded by old mine-cut diamonds, and set in silver on gold, which is testament to its late 19th century date. Before the discovery of platinum and rhodium in the opening years of the 20th century, jewellers only had silver to turn to when offsetting the whiteness of diamonds. This veneer of silver naturally blackens over time, making the contrast with the diamonds even more dramatic, as this cluster shows to dazzling effect. The shoulders are engraved with a Fleur de Lis scroll leading down into the shank, which is numbered 422 and stamped 18ct to the interior.