| Victorian engagement rings and in fact most antique | | | | creative with their designs. This resulted in either |
| jewelry has a special allure about it regardless of | | | | yellow or rose gold designs of light open work |
| where it comes from. The difference with Victorian | | | | making use of filigree, cannetille, piercing, and |
| engagement rings is that during the era of Queen | | | | repoussé techniques. Thin plates and sheet of |
| Victoria, it was an era of romance, beginning with the | | | | gold were made in a die roll then engraved and |
| marriage of Queen Victoria to her beloved Prince | | | | chased. The appearance of all these techniques used |
| Albert. This is probably the most motivating factor | | | | the minimum amount of the precious gold whilst still |
| for anyone wanting to wear a Victorian engagement | | | | lending an appearance of mass. |
| ring, the fact that it symbolizes true romance. | | | | Victorian engagement rings were often accented |
| Victorian wedding traditions are filled with charm, | | | | with other gemstones, such as "pinked" topaz and |
| much the same as Victorian engagement rings are. | | | | seed pearls. Blue zircon, amethyst, citrine, aquamarine, |
| Some of the traditions still exist today and many of | | | | garnet, peridot and rubies were used, together with |
| them have fallen by the wayside, the truth is though | | | | many other precious and semi-precious stones. |
| that a romantic wedding has some truly Victorian | | | | The designs of Victorian engagement rings vary quite |
| traditions attached to it. For example, permission to | | | | widely, however much of it was taken from ancient |
| marry a young lady had to be granted by her father | | | | jewelry design. When Heinrich Schliemann found the |
| and once granted, a special dinner and toasts would | | | | ancient treasures of Troy, these wonderful |
| be held for the young couple. | | | | discoveries inspired Victorian jewelry designers to |
| Typically, the Victorian engagement ring was a | | | | emulate them. Queen Victoria herself chose an |
| diamond, however it was also often be a ruby or | | | | engagement ring that was in the design of a gold |
| emerald. Bear in mind at that time, diamonds worn | | | | snake, coiling around itself an ancient Roman symbol |
| during the day were frowned upon and only married | | | | denoting eternal love. Half hoop rings with different |
| women wore a diamond during the day. If an | | | | stones set in were extremely popular, together with |
| unmarried lady wore one it was assumed that she | | | | the cluster style and various other, generally quite |
| had been given the jewelry by a lover. The gems in | | | | delicate designs. |
| the ring sometimes spelled words of love. Usually, the | | | | Essentially, Victorian engagement rings have a rich |
| wedding date would be set no more than three | | | | tradition of complete romance, as well as displaying |
| months after the engagement was announced and | | | | the frugality and creativity of the times due to the |
| June weddings were very popular, as June was | | | | shortage of both gemstones and gold. However if |
| considered to be a lucky month. | | | | you choose a Victorian engagement ring, you will |
| During Victorian times, the supply of gold and | | | | immediately be in possession of one of the most |
| diamonds was very limited and due to this fact | | | | romantic heirlooms and a beautiful prelude to a happy |
| jewelers had to think out of the box and become | | | | married life. |