14K Gold, Old-Cut Diamond Ring, Second Half of the 20th Century, Cracow

In the goldsmith workshops of Kraków during the 1960s and 70s, the tradition of handcraftsmanship was still vibrantly alive—passed down from master to apprentice in narrow ateliers filled with the scent of wax, flux, and heated metal. It was in this world, at a time when goldsmithing remained one of the last strongholds of individual artistic labor, that this ring was created—modest in form, yet rich in elegance rooted in balanced proportions and the subtle glow of an old-cut diamond.

The 0.78 ct diamond, set in a silver bezel, reveals its true character only in the light—where fine reflections and gentle flashes dance like candlelight flickering in the concert hall of the Kraków Philharmonic. With a J color and VS2 clarity, the diamond has lost none of its presence over time. Its old European cut, rarely encountered today, was designed not for perfect symmetry but for fire.

The setting was crafted by hand—14k gold combined with silver, following a tradition dating back to the 19th century, when silver was considered the finest metal to highlight the cool brilliance of precious stones. Such metal pairings are now increasingly rare, which makes the authenticity of this piece all the more precious.

Inside the band, a maker’s mark—TH—can be found: a subtle but enduring trace of the goldsmith who brought this piece to life, perhaps as a bespoke commission. This is not just a piece of jewelry—it is a witness to a place, a moment, and the hand that shaped it.