A delightful little slice of Southern Ontario history, of potential family history, and of sparkling futures to come rest in this lovely ring. So named for its unique place in time and style between the old European and its most popular successor, the modern round brilliant, the transitional cut exhibits high symmetry and sees the chunkier facets and culet of the Euro tightening up toward their modern endpoint. A relic unique to about the 1920s-1940s, the stone exemplifies the ongoing attempts by diamond cutters to improve the visual appearance of stones for modern electric light as well as an increased use of diamond cutting machines starting in the early 20th century. So brief was the evolution of cuts and so varied were the results, the cut never received its own defined categorization from the (at the time newly-formed) GIA; the rare cuts now seem to confuse nearly as much as they enchant. The style and aesthetic of the ring however, looks like it may be a little more on the modern side - our estimate is around 1960, about a generation later than the diamond cut. Throughout history families have passed down jewels only to have stones kept and mountings reimagined for contemporary tastes - it's not a big swing to consider this may have been the case here!

Beyond all of that lore, this ring is also stamped for Ostranders, a Southern Ontario, Canada jewelry brand founded in 1914 and growing to several locations before being sold to Birks in 1984. Despite it being a regional chain, there's not much history (or apparently many pieces of jewelry) that has made it online, but we would delight in learning more.

Very good vintage condition with wear in line with previous use. This ring includes a third-party appraisal.

Details:
• 14k yellow gold, stamped and tested, with manufacturer and retailer's stamps
• Size 6 1/4 and can be resized within two sizes
• One transitional cut diamond approximately 0.80ct, H SI2
• Face of ring measures 6mm wide, 6.1mm across with a rise of 6.9mm; back of band measures 1.7mm wide and 1.3mm thick
• 3.9g