Flowing ribbons of white gold sweep around two principal diamonds in this signed Litwin ring, creating the sculptural movement characteristic of Retro jewelry. Smaller diamonds, pierced openings, milgrain, and engraved details add complexity while keeping the design light and beautifully balanced.
The two principal diamonds add another layer of period character, with moderately high crowns and broad, chunky facets associated with transitional-era cutting. One retains a tiny visible culet while the other does not, giving each stone its own personality.
Marked LIT for Cincinnati jeweler Litwin & Sons, the ring combines a documented American maker with an unusually fluid 1940s design. From across the room it has an elegant sweep across the finger; up close, the diamond cuts, engraving, milgrain, and openwork reveal the details that make the piece special.
The two principal diamonds sit one above the other within the elongated composition. Their slightly different proportions and facet patterns give each stone an individual character while remaining beautifully balanced face-up.
Both display characteristics associated with the transitional period between the Old European Cut diamond and the increasingly standardized modern round brilliant. Moderately high crowns and broad, chunky facets give the stones the larger flashes of light associated with earlier cutting styles.
One diamond retains a tiny visible culet, while the other shows no readily apparent culet. Approximately eight smaller diamonds follow the sweeping contours of the setting rather than forming a conventional halo.
One principal diamond has a small nick along the girdle consistent with age and wear. It is most apparent under magnification and does not noticeably affect the stone's face-up appearance.
Broad ribbons of polished white gold sweep around the principal diamonds, while pierced openings keep the substantial design visually light. Smaller diamond-set sections, milgrain, and engraving add finer detail between the larger sculptural forms.
There are echoes of Art Deco in the white metal, openwork, and fine detailing, but the rigid geometry has given way to the curves and movement associated with Retro design. The open gallery continues beneath the diamonds, adding dimension without creating an excessively high profile.
Engraving continues into the shoulders before transitioning into the simpler shank, carrying the design beyond the face of the ring.
The inside of the shank is marked 14K and LIT, the maker's mark associated with Cincinnati jeweler Litwin & Sons. The LIT trademark was in use by 1930 and appeared on rings and other jewelry produced by the firm.
The signature gives the ring an additional connection to American jewelry history and provides another piece of evidence for placing it within the period in which its sculptural Retro design developed.
The elongated design spreads beautifully across the finger, creating considerably more presence than its diamond weight alone might suggest. Its open construction keeps the ring from feeling heavy, while the combination of diamonds and white gold makes it remarkably versatile.
It could make an unusual vintage engagement ring, distinctive right-hand ring, or everyday piece for someone drawn to authentic period jewelry that doesn't resemble the familiar solitaire, halo, or cluster.
As with any gemstone ring, antique or new, sensible care is appropriate. Periodic inspection by a qualified jeweler is recommended for jewelry worn regularly.
The ring is currently a size 5.75.
The relatively simple lower shank provides room for resizing, although any significant adjustment should take the decorated shoulders and overall architecture into consideration. Learn more in our guide to the anatomy of an antique ring.
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.
Fast & Secure Shipping
Our 21-Day Promise
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.
