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 14KT DIAMOND RING 1 CTW DIAMONDS SIZE 8 | US $450.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-14-2012 20:15:25 PST Buy It Now for only: US $450.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
GENUINE VICTORIAN DESIGN SOLID 14K YELLOW GOLD NATURAL AAA GRADE MULTIGEM RING
 | US $334.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 19:57:17 PST Buy It Now for only: US $369.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
14K/SS VINTAGE EMERALD & DIAMOND RING! VICTORIAN ERA!!!
 | US $695.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-14-2012 19:41:09 PST Buy It Now for only: US $695.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN 14K GOLD OPEN FLORAL OLD ROSE CUT DIAMOND RING Sz 7.25
 | US $599.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 19:32:22 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
Antique Victorian Hair Signet 22k Gold Mens Ring Band
 | US $750.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:08:56 PST Buy It Now for only: US $750.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Vintage Antique Snake Ring Victorian Scerpent Gold
 | US $399.00 End Date: Monday Mar-05-2012 19:03:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $399.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Natural Blue Topaz & Diamond Victorian Ring Set In Solid 18K White Gold Size 6.5
 | US $399.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 18:24:41 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN 14K GOLD AMETHYST UNISEX VERY HEAVY RING FITS SIZE10.5 & 10
 | US $457.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 17:41:43 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
ANTIQUE MID VICTORIAN ERA 14K GOLD AMETHYST HEAVY RING FITS BOTH SIZE 5.5 & 5
 | US $377.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 17:26:42 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
Diamond & Sapphire Safire Ring. Saffire 18K Gold Ring. Art Deco, Victorian style
 | US $2,199.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:08:42 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2,499.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
