Some Art Deco rings reveal themselves at first glance. Others reveal themselves the longer you study them. This remarkable 18K white gold aquamarine ring is one of those pieces, filled with unexpected details and an architectural complexity that is rarely encountered.
Six pale icy-blue aquamarines come together in an intricate geometric composition, each shaped to occupy its own place within the design. Rather than surrounding a dominant center stone, the aquamarines become the design themselves, fitting together almost like pieces of a mosaic. At their precise intersection sits an unexpected Old European Cut diamond—a tiny jewel at the very heart of the ring.
The beauty continues well beyond the face. Strong Art Deco geometry gives way to an elaborate floral and foliate openwork gallery, while engraving carries the design into the shoulders. Viewed from above, from the side, or even from underneath, there is something new to discover.
Beautifully balanced, wonderfully intricate, and distinctly different from the more familiar aquamarine rings of the period, this is a piece where no single element asks to dominate. Gemstones and metalwork work together as one complete composition—a remarkable survival of Art Deco craftsmanship and a natural addition to The TERA Collection.
Era: Art Deco, circa 1920s
Metal: 18K White Gold
Ring Size: 6.75
Total Weight: 3.81 grams
Rear Shank Height: Approximately 2.5 mm
Primary Gemstones: Six aquamarines
Cut / Shape: Individually fitted custom geometric cuts
Estimated Total Aquamarine Weight: Approximately 2.10 carats total, estimated while mounted
Aquamarine Color: Pale icy blue
Top & Bottom Aquamarines: Approximately 6 mm across at their widest points
Center Diamond: Old European Cut diamond
Diamond Measurement: Approximately 1.68 mm
Estimated Diamond Weight: Approximately 0.02 carat, estimated while mounted
Head Dimensions: Approximately 19.46 × 13.24 mm
The six aquamarines are among the ring's most distinctive features. Rather than relying on conventional gemstone shapes, each appears to have been individually cut and fitted to a particular position within the mounting. Together they create an almost geometric mosaic, with the outlines of the gemstones themselves becoming part of the architecture.
Under magnification, the ring's deliberate design is striking. Their broad, remarkably shallow proportions create tremendous face-up presence, while their unusual tapered, triangular, and shield-like outlines correspond to the surrounding metalwork. These are not simply six aquamarines placed into a setting—the shapes of the stones help create the setting's visual geometry.
Large geometric facets give the pale blue aquamarines an icy, watery play of light rather than the appearance of a conventionally proportioned aquamarine. Their subtle color also allows the white-gold framework between the stones to remain visually important. Stone and metal share the composition rather than competing with one another.
At the exact center is perhaps the most delightful surprise: an Old European Cut diamond measuring approximately 1.68 mm. Despite its minute scale, magnification reveals a high crown, complex facet structure, and visible culet. Rather than functioning as the dominant gemstone, the diamond becomes the tiny focal point around which the entire composition is organized.
Nothing about the design feels accidental.
The contrast between the face and gallery is one of the ring's most compelling aspects. From above, the design is unmistakably Art Deco: geometric, symmetrical, and architectural. Six individually fitted aquamarines surround the central Old European Cut diamond, while narrow sections of 18K white gold divide the stones and form the composition's framework. Learn more about the history and differences of metals used in the Art Deco era in our platinum vs. white gold antique jewelry guide.
Viewed from the side, the character changes dramatically. The strong geometry of the face gives way to an extraordinarily detailed floral and foliate openwork gallery. Curving organic forms and lace-like openings fill the structure beneath the gemstones, creating an unexpected softness beneath the angular design above.
The decoration continues into the shoulders, where engraved details bridge the elaborate head and the simpler shank. Even areas that are largely hidden when the ring is worn received considerable attention.
This kind of construction makes turning an antique ring over so important. The face may create the first impression, but the gallery, shoulders, and underside often reveal just as much about the thought and craftsmanship that went into the piece. Here, those hidden details are every bit as compelling as the gemstones above.
Under magnification, subtle variations appear in the openwork, stone shapes, borders, and individual details. Face-up, they resolve into remarkable balance and symmetry—the perfectly imperfect character that gives genuine period jewelry so much of its personality.
At approximately 19.46 × 13.24 mm, this ring has significant finger presence without relying on a single dominant gemstone. The broad, shallow custom-cut aquamarines spread beautifully across the finger while keeping the emphasis on the overall composition.
Its pale icy-blue color and 18K white gold construction make it remarkably versatile. It would make an exceptional alternative engagement ring, statement ring, or distinctive everyday piece for someone drawn to authentic Art Deco design and jewelry that is unlikely to be mistaken for anything ordinary.
As with any gemstone ring, antique or new, sensible care is appropriate. Prongs can loosen, stones can shift, and impact damage can occur regardless of a ring's age. Periodic inspection by a qualified jeweler is always recommended for jewelry worn regularly.
The ring is currently a size 6.75.
Because of the elaborate construction of the head and the decorative treatment extending down through the shoulders, resizing requires a careful touch. To better understand how the shank, gallery, and shoulders interact during sizing, refer to our guide on the anatomy of an antique ring. Any significant adjustment must preserve not only the structural integrity of the shank, but also the symmetry of the shoulders and the original balance of the design.
Please contact The TERA Collection if you would like to discuss sizing before purchase.
Our jewelry is photographed at high magnification to show craftsmanship, condition, and detail as clearly as possible. This can make normal signs of age, wear, tool marks, and variations in finish appear more prominent than they are to the unaided eye. Please refer to the measurements provided for an accurate sense of scale.
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We want you to fall in love with your piece. To provide you with total peace of mind, we offer a 21-day evaluation period. Take the time to ensure the fire, the history, and the feel are exactly what you dreamed of.
Return Policy Details
Our 21-Day Promise We want you to fall in love with your piece. To give you peace of mind, we offer a 21-day evaluation period. Take the time to ensure the fire, the history, and the feel are exactly what you dreamed of.
The Details:
Many pieces in the TERA Collection are a century old or more. They have been worn, cherished, gifted, celebrated, and carried through generations before arriving here. Gentle wear, subtle signs of age, and the occasional evidence of historic stewardship should be expected and are considered part of the character that makes antique jewelry impossible to replicate.
Our photography is intentionally detailed and often captured at extreme magnification. In many cases, the images reveal details, textures, and tiny imperfections that are difficult or impossible to see during normal wear. This approach reflects our commitment to documenting each piece as completely as possible, ensuring that its condition, craftsmanship, and character are faithfully represented.
The result is simple: when your piece arrives, there should be no surprises. What you see is an authentic record of a jewel's present condition, preserving both its beauty and the story written into it over time.
If a condition issue exceeds what would normally be expected from a piece of its age, it will always be specifically disclosed within the listing.
Because every collector values different details, we are always happy to provide additional photographs, videos, measurements, or condition documentation whenever possible. If there is a particular aspect of a piece you would like to examine more closely, please don't hesitate to ask.
Our hope is simple: that the piece you receive is exactly the piece you expected to receive. We would always rather answer one more question than leave a doubt unanswered.
