Vintage Victorian Engagement Rings

Many different motifs were seen in Victorian vintage engagement 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 Antique 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.

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.

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.

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.