Features of Victorian Engagement Rings

If you're looking for a stylish and sentimental engagement ring you may want to consider Victorian engagement rings. Sometimes these rings are handed down from generation to generation as an heirloom. If you don't have a Victorian era ring in your family you can certainly buy one. There are lots of antique shops and jewelry shops who carry rings from this time period. You could even get a new ring designed to look antique. The Victorian era is certainly a very popular time period when it comes to jewelry.

The Victorian era spanned from 1837 to 1901. During this time rings were crafted from yellow and rose gold. They featured colored gemstones with diamonds. During the early and middle part of the era diamonds were less common because of their availability. However towards the end of the era diamonds were more accessible and became more popular. Some Victorian rings featured small clusters of diamonds rather than a solitaire stone. Others featured a solitaire diamond on its own or surrounded by other gemstones such as rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnet or topaz.

Another trend in Victorian times was the snake ring. Queen Victoria actually wore a snake ring to celebrate her own marriage. These rings featured two snakes twisted together and adorned with gemstones such as rubies or emeralds. Although a snake ring is not what most people think of when they think of a wedding ring, this was the trend back then. One of these rings would certainly attract attention. Colored diamonds were another Victorian trend that you may want to consider. Although the most popular diamonds these days are white, in Victorian times they were yellow, blue and pink. You can still buy colored diamonds today but they are often quite expensive.

When shopping for Victorian engagement rings, the Internet is a good place to begin. You can find more information about this time period on many informative websites. You can also find antique stores where Victorian age jewelry is sold. Another place to shop for antique jewelry is Ebay. No matter where you shop online make sure you're clear on whether or not you are buying an authentic Victorian ring or a reproduction. Reproductions are often just as beautiful but more affordable and accessible than actual Victorian era pieces.