Antique Platinum Sapphire and Diamond Snake Ring | US 6

A coiled serpent ring entirely in platinum, the two heads meeting at the bezel and set with a cushion-cut sapphire of approximately 0.80 carats and an old mine cut diamond of approximately 0.75 carats — the diamond approximately O–P color and VS clarity, with the warm fancy tonality that period stones often carry. The platinum is hand-chased with scale detail and finished with small cabochon ruby eyes. By 1900, platinum was supplanting silver in the highest tier of European jewelry due to it's ability to hold finer detail as a stronger metal canvas. The serpent motif crossed seamlessly from its Victorian gold context into Belle Époque platinum work without losing its symbolism of eternity and union.