Victorian Engagement Rings

Victorian engagement rings were made between the years 1837 and 1901 during the reign of queen Victoria of England.

In recent times several celebrities have chosen Victorian engagement rings. One very popular type of Victorian engagement ring is the 'you and me' ring. The you and me ring was a French style of ring which was popular in the nineteenth century and has once again become popular. This type of ring has two stones set opposite each other, each stone representing one of the couple. The pair of stones can also have other stones surrounding them. The two stones can be different or can match. Usually at least of the stones is a diamond.

Another popular type of  engagement ring in the Victorian period is the 'regards' ring. These rings use the first letters of each of the stones to spell out  REGARDS. For example the stones could be ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, diamond and Sapphire . A regards ring might alternatively spell the initials or the name of the person who gives the ring.

Some other rings spelled the word 'love' with lapis lazuli, opal, vermarine and an emerald.

The 'dearest' ring also used stones to spell the word dearest. The stones were diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, Sapphire and topaz.

The snake or serpent ring was another popular type of ring for Victorian engagements. These rings had two entwined serpents which could also be set with gemstones. Queen Victoria herself wore this type of ring after she became engaged to prince Albert. The two snakes represent the bride and the groom.

The three-stone type of engagement ring was another popular style of Victorian engagement ring. These rings usually had diamonds and pearls in addition to entwined hearts and other shapes.

The metal used for Victorian antique engagement rings was usually rose gold or yellow gold. Sometimes platinum and silver were also used for the engagement rings.

Some of the Victorian engagement traditions are still in existence, however many of the traditions are no longer upheld. One of these traditions was that the prospective groom would ask his young lady's father for permission to marry her. If permission was given, a special dinner with toasts was given for the young couple. During the Victorian period, gold and diamonds were in short supply. Because of this, jewellers had to come up with designs that made the most of the materials they had. Designs using filigree, piercing and other techniques were used. Thin sheets and plates of gold were also used to save on the precious metal. The idea was to use as little gold as possible while still giving the illusion of a substantial ring.

While you are receiving the best wedding gifts ever on your big day, you will be glad that you chose one of these magnificent rings.

Tagged with: dearest ring • love ring • regards ring • snake ring • three stone ring • victorian engagement rings • you and me ring

Filed under: Victorian

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