A Very Rare 17th-Century Gold Diamond Eternity Band

A remarkably rare and substantial gold eternity band, dating to circa 1630–1650 and set with early Peruzzi-cut diamonds, an exceptional survival from the first half of the 17th century. Probably Dutch or Italian in origin, this ring represents one of the earliest moments in the evolution of the modern brilliant cut.

The Peruzzi cut, attributed to the Venetian cutter Vincenzo Peruzzi, emerged in Venice in the early 17th century before slowly spreading to the lapidary workshops of Holland, Antwerp, and London. Eternity rings of this period with their original Peruzzi-cut diamonds intact are virtually unknown; this may be the only recorded example of its type.

Comparable rings are known largely from painted sources.
The Rijksmuseum notes:
“Until recently, this type of ring was known only from 17th-century paintings, including Rembrandt’s 1634 portrait of Oopjen Coppit. It may have been an engagement ring, and set with diamonds all around the band, three of which have been lost.”
For a closely related example set with table-cut diamonds, see the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (Object no. BK-2018-139).

This ring survives in unusually complete form, its Peruzzi-cut stones displaying the early faceting experimentation that would eventually give rise to the modern brilliant.

Origin: Probably Dutch or Italian 

Date: Circa 1630 - 1650

Materials: Gold, diamond

Measurements:

• US ring size 8