Victorian Rings

Victorian rings were strongly influenced by love, the increase in travel and improved archaeological discovery throughout Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901.

A lover of jewellery herself, her long and successful reign inspired a new generation of jewellery, with pieces both iconic to the Victorian era as well as many pieces being inspired by the revival of ancient techniques. This era marked the rise of the Industrial Revolution and Britain’s middle class, so for the first time, jewellery gradually became more accessible to people other than those most rich and powerful in society, although it was closer towards the Art Deco jewellery era when this was more prominent. The developments in industry also helped to make Victorian jewellery more affordable.

The Victorian jewellery era coincided with the Romantic period, which commonly featured floral motifs and bright gemstones that were symbolic of love and good fortune. Jewellery in this period was very sentimental, whether to reflect the love of newly weds or the lasting love of older couples. Another strong theme throughout the Victorian era was celestial motifs, with stars and crescent moons regularly featuring across all types of jewellery. Interestingly, Queen Victoria’s vintage engagement ring featured a snake with emerald eyes, which was thought to symbolise the eternal love she shared with her husband Albert.

Following Prince Albert’s death in 1861, Queen Victoria entered a lifelong period of mourning, which strongly inspired jewellery design moving forward in her reign. Elaborate yet dark jewellery was created to mirror this, which slowly transitioned towards the end of her reign when lighter diamond jewellery was prominent around her 60th anniversary as Queen.

Victorian rings, and all jewellery from the era in fact, truly paved the way for iconic Edwardian rings, Art Deco and Art Nouveau jewellery eras, with Victorian pieces continuing to circulate in perfect condition. At Berganza, explore the rich history of Victorian jewelry, including intricate designs and sentimental motifs like antique engagement rings, showcasing enduring love and timeless elegance.

You may also like: Dress Rings Posy Rings Early Rings

Victorian emerald and diamond cluster ring, circa 1890.

Emerald and diamond cluster ring, circa 1890.Victorian emerald and diamond cluster ring, circa 1890.

Price £4,500 Ref: 27903

Antique Neptune intaglio ring, circa 1890.

Antique Neptune intaglio ring, circa 1890. Antique Neptune intaglio ring, circa 1890.

Price £5,000 Ref: 29162

Burmese ruby and diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1890.

Burmese ruby and diamond ring, circa 1890.Burmese ruby and diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1890.

Price £5,800 Ref: 28850

Victorian Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring berganza hatton garden

Victorian Ceylon sapphire and diamond ma...Victorian Ceylon sapphire and diamond marquise cluster ring, circa 1880.

Price £32,000 Ref: 25727

Victorian Sapphire and diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1900.

Sapphire and diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1900.Victorian Sapphire and diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1900.

Price £5,000 Ref: 29101

Ceylon star sapphire gypsy ring, circa 1900. hatton garden

Ceylon star sapphire gypsy ring, circa 1900. Ceylon star sapphire gypsy ring, circa 1900.

Price £8,800 Ref: 29043

antique opal diamond five stone ring hatton garden berganza

Victorian opal and diamond five stone ri...Victorian opal and diamond five stone ring, circa 1900.

Price £3,900 Ref: 23578

Old cut diamond gypsy ring, circa 1900. hatton garden

Old cut diamond gypsy ring, circa 1900.Old cut diamond gypsy ring, circa 1900.

Price £16,000 Ref: 29085

Victorian ruby and diamond three stone ring. hatton garden

Victorian ruby and diamond three stone ring, circa 1890.Victorian ruby and diamond three stone ring, circa 1890.

Price £27,500 Ref: 29098

Victorian diamond three stone ring, circa 1900. hatton garden

Victorian diamond three stone ring, circa 1900.Victorian diamond three stone ring, circa 1900.

Price £25,000 Ref: 29126

Victorian sapphire five stone ring, circa 1900.

Victorian sapphire five stone ring, circa 1900.Victorian sapphire five stone ring, circa 1900.

Price £7,500 Ref: 29083

Antique Ceylon sapphire and diamond coronet cluster ring

Antique Ceylon sapphire and diamond coro...Antique Ceylon sapphire and diamond coronet cluster ring, Russian, circa 1890.

Price £10,500 Ref: 24957

Victorian diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1900. hatton garden

Victorian diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1900.Victorian diamond coronet cluster ring, circa 1900.

Price £15,600 Ref: 29107

Antique gold knot ring, English, 1895.Antique gold knot ring, English, 1895.

Price £1,500 Ref: 29071

Colombian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1840.

Colombian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1840.urColombian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1840.

Price £8,600 Ref: 29033

Victorian diamond three stone ring, circa 1890

Victorian diamond three stone ring, circa 1890.Victorian diamond three stone ring, circa 1890

Price £16,500 Ref: 29066

Antique ruby and diamond cluster ring, circa 1840.

Antique ruby and diamond cluster ring, c...Antique ruby and diamond cluster ring, circa 1840.

Price £8,900 Ref: 22305

Victorian old mine diamond solitaire ring, hatton garden

Victorian old mine diamond solitaire ring, circa 1890. Victorian old mine diamond solitaire ring, circa 1890.

Price £4,700 Ref: 29063

FAQs

What Motifs Were Common In Victorian Rings?

Many different motifs were seen in Victorian rings, from serpents to flowers, all with a strong connection to love. As the Romantic period suggests, the majority of motifs were linked to love in some way, whether through snakes and serpents on Victorian engagement rings, including Queen Victoria’s, which were symbolic of eternal love, or the celestial motifs that highlight the stars and moon, which were transcendence symbols of hope, fate and romance.

Which Gemstones Were Prominent In The Victorian Era?

As Britain became wealthier throughout the Victorian era, accessibility to some of the world’s most exceptional gem mines was improved. As a result, popular stones that featured in Victorian rings included amethysts, diamonds, ruby and sapphire, as well as rare opals and pearls. During her period of mourning following the death of her husband Prince Albert, dark jewellery became very prominent, featuring black onyx and jet, a type of lignite.

How To Clean Victorian Rings

Victorian rings should be cleaned like any type of vintage jewellery, with great care. We would always recommend having your Victorian rings professionally cleaned once a year, a complimentary service we offer for life at Berganza with any purchase. For pieces you wear everyday, including Victorian engagement rings, you should have them cleaned more often. You should also always have particularly delicate jewellery, such as pieces with pearls, cleaned professionally, rather than at home. For less delicate pieces, you can create a cleaning solution using mild soap and warm water at home. Dip a soft bristled toothbrush into the mixture and gently clean the jewellery, particularly around any settings and avoid the gemstone where possible. Keep the jewellery out of the water rather than submerging, and once completely clean, rinse well. Hang to dry for at least 24 hours to make sure it is completely dry before putting it back into storage.

How Was Revival Jewellery Important In The Victorian Era

Revival jewellery, which involved old-age jewellery practices being utilised in more modern eras, was an important part of Victorian jewellery. Techniques and stylistic features from ancient Egypt, discoveries in Pompeii and Herculaneum and the Renaissance periods inspired the creation of breathtaking Victorian rings and jewellery with clear ties to both the past and the jewellers own distinct styles.