The Art Deco lapis ring I can't stop thinking about.

This Art Deco lapis ring is haunting me and I need you to see it too.

It’s been a minute since I did a whole feature dedicated to a single ring, but it’s an old school DitL classic style of post and this beauty absolutely deserves the solo treatment.

I encountered this Art Deco lapis ring at The Vintage Jeweller’s booth at the most recent NYCJAOS event. It twinkled up at me from a tray of other rings and I knew I needed to try it on.

This lovely piece isn’t the biggest or the flashiest ring, but I find its combination of materials and details to be utterly irresistible.

Art Deco diamond ring with carved lapis, onyx, and diamonds, side view. From The Vintage Jeweller.

Let’s get into the specifics:

This Art Deco lapis ring was made in 1930. It features a platinum setting that flows up into an elegant split shoulder set with old cut diamonds. The shape of the upper ends of the shoulder reminds me of the Egyptian revival inspired fan and lotus motifs that were popular in that time period (also echoed by the design on my manicure).

Above the shoulders, this ring holds a domed square of lapis lazuli with vertical engravings forming a striped detail along its sides. This spectacular carved hardstone is further inlaid with an onyx element in the center, which provides a dramatic black border for the ring’s centerpiece: a 0.40 carat old cut diamond.

I particularly love the peek-a-boo of negative space within the arms of the split shoulder, the deceptive appearance of softness created by the curves of the carved lapis, and the beautifully dramatic contrast between the center diamond and its onyx surround.