Victorian Engagement Rings
The Victorian Period, also known as the Romantic Era, 1835-1890 had a grand influence on the styling of Victorian engagement rings. The Victorian Era was named for Queen Victoria, the reigning monarch, and this regal lady earned the reputation of being an incurable romantic. The sentimental Queen who wore a bracelet fashioned from her children’s teeth inspired a nation and the world! Luckily, Victorian jewelry incorporates much more variety and design. Jewels, in Queen Victoria’s day, were reserved strictly for royalty and the wealthy. A Victorian style engagement ring whisks your beloved back in time, to love, honor, and cherish.
As wealth trickled down to the general public after the Industrial Revolution, diamonds were more widely used in Victorian engagement rings. The discovery of mines in South Africa brought on more changes to Victorian style engagement rings. Queen Victoria’s engagement ring from Prince Albert was in the form of a serpent. You might be surprised by that fact or more certainly think so for the bride to be. In Victorian times, the serpent or snake was thought to bring good luck and to symbolize eternity.
In 1886 Tiffany’ introduced a six prong solitaire Victorian Diamond Engagement Ring which was worn on the third finger of the left hand The Christian tradition of wearing an engagement ring in this fashion, was a custom traced back to a 1549 prayer book, before a betrothal ring was worn on the right hand. During the Middle Ages, men wore a betrothal ring suspended from the band in their hats ready to give to their chosen bride.
England’s Queen Victoria, was crowned in 1837 at the tender age of eighteen. The Queen influenced Victorian fashion and jewelry styles worn in her youth. Victorian engagement rings are valuable because of the time it takes to create these pieces of art. The beautiful Victorian style engagement rings are very wearable, but need to be handled with special care. Victorian rings are generally intricate designs, and delicately set in silver, yellow or rose gold. Majestic jewelry fit for a Queen, these creations of tortoiseshell, Mother-of-Pearl, and ivory are simply elegant.
Sentiment and symbolism were important elements of Victorian engagement rings. Crosses, ivy, doves, and Greek letters were popular religious symbols used in Victorian rings. Jewelry was not only worn for beauty, but had meaning to the wearer. The giver hoping their gift had the desired effect on the one they held in affection. Some symbols used in the Victorian Era were a flaming heart for passionate love, and cupid’s arrows equaled love. Gemstones also had meanings. Amethyst was a symbol for devotion. A diamond meant constancy. An emerald stood for hope. A ruby signified passion.
A loved ones name or ‘secret’ name between lovers can be hidden in gemstones. Gems could be used as a type of code to spell out words. The first letter of the gems’ names would stand for letters. Victorian rings set with a diamond; emerald, amethyst, and ruby spell the word- DEAR. Hand-Crafted Victorian style engagement rings also used stones of onyx, amber, opal, coral, sapphire, and garnet. Victorian rings are stylish treasures, showing your love today, and the lasting vision of all your tomorrows. Victorian engagement rings are a timeless, unique expression of your romance and endless love.
Read more about other Antique Jewelry Periods
Edwardian Style Engagement Rings
Current Victorian Engagement Rings on eBay:
Victorian 3.60ct Rose cut Diamond Parrot Ring | US $321.91 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Sep-14-2010 0:32:28 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
*FAB Antique Victorian Amethyst Fire Opal 14k YG Ring*
 | US $425.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Sep-13-2010 19:53:13 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Fine Victorian 14K Gold Enamel Sardonyx Intaglio Ring
 | US $699.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 19:47:55 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $699.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
BEAUTIFUL VICTORIAN 14K ROSE GOLD DIAMOND/RUBY RING.
 | US $379.00 End Date: Monday Sep-13-2010 19:13:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $379.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Victorian Garnet and 14kt Rose Gold Ring c: 1870s - 80s
 | US $425.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-11-2010 18:10:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $425.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Antique Designer Victorian Ostby Barton Garnet Ring 10k
 | US $319.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 17:48:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $319.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
18K Antique Vintage rose cut diamond ring Victorian han
 | US $795.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-16-2010 17:04:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,195.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Antique Victorian Gold Moonstone Garnet Ring Old Fine
 | US $349.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 16:51:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $349.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Antique Victorian Gold Sapphire Mine Diamond Ring Old
 | US $795.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-09-2010 15:23:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $795.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Antique* Estate* Vintage Pearl 14K Gold Ring Victorian
 | US $360.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Sep-13-2010 15:21:22 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
