Early Victorian Band Rings
Also called Romantic period jewelry, antique early Victorian jewelry and watches were a celebration of the young monarch’s love.
When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. While this may seem a bit simple for our contemporary tastes, the serpent symbolizes eternity, and has become a popular motif in jewelry. The tail in the serpent’s mouth forms an unbroken circle. This dewy-eyed happiness trickled down to the masses and men and women favored jewelry that was sentimental and full of symbolism. Today, antique Victorian jewelry is very coveted and highly collectible.
Romantic period jewelry tends to be feminine and ornate. Flowers, hearts, birds, and bows were just some of the common decorative motifs. These pieces were embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise. It was common to express your devotion with jewelry — REGARD and DEAREST rings were particularly popular. These rings were set with stones that corresponded to each letter: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond.
Most often, the design of the ring was simple, with the stones going across the shank of the ring in a line, but it was not uncommon to see a REGARD ring in a flower formation, with each stone set in the petal of the flower.
Another common early Victorian ring style was two hands clasping a flower or stone. They came in many styles and were made of coral and ivory but also of gold with precious and semiprecious gemstones. These rings, while not exclusively Victorian, are often associated with the time period and symbolized friendship. Lockets enclosed with hair, cameos depicting cupid or a loved one’s face and enamel pieces were also popular.
The early Victorian period corresponded with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Jewelry, no longer made only by hand, became more affordable during the 19th century. The growing middle class also helped increase the demand for it. This was reflected in how women styled their jewelry; they were not afraid to adorn themselves from head to toe with stacking and layering in between. Considering the time period (this was before the California Gold Rush), a lot of pieces in the Romantic period were made using low-karat gold or were gold-plated. Fine gold wire was also employed frequently to add to the design. This is a nice trick to know when determining the date of Victorian jewelry.
Find a range of antique Romantic period brooches, necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Early 19th Century English Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1860s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Natural Pearl, Garnet, Diamond, Amethyst, Enamel, Gold
1860s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Gold, Enamel
19th Century Unknown Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s American Vintage Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1940s American Vintage Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1860s Finnish Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Gold
2010s Australian Early Victorian Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1840s Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Gold, Enamel
1860s English Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Emerald, Garnet, 15k Gold
1860s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
18k Gold, Enamel
1850s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold, Enamel
1970s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Band Rings
Onyx, Diamond, Aquamarine, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1810s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Gold
19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Early Victorian Band Rings
Black Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Early Victorian Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-19th Century English Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s British Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century English Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Agate, 18k Gold, Enamel
1840s English Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
1740s English Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Gold
Late 19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Garnet, Gold, 9k Gold
1890s Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1840s Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Gold, Enamel
1820s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Yellow Gold, Enamel
1850s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1850s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Garnet, 10k Gold
1860s British Antique Early Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold