The gold work setting is 14kt Rose gold and handmade for this stone. The ring is circa 1870 and from the gold rush gold in San Francisco California. The stone in the center is natural 24 karat Gold in natural white Quartz 15mm by 8 mm. There are six small table cut diamonds set around the Gold Quartz. The rings shoulders are hand engraved and the band is 5mm wide.
Gold was trapped in white quartz, both in a liquid state as it was formed in the earth. In the 1840’s when gold was found in California it was mainly in quarts and had to be separated. As a result of the Gold Rush skilled jewelers and goldsmiths came to San Francisco to take full advantage of the newly uncovered “raw material”. Thus evolved a type of American jewelry made only in San Francisco between 1850 and the early 1900s.
This ring is size 6 ¾ but can be resized if needed larger or smaller without taking away any value. The ring and gemstones are in excellent condition.