Victorian 18ct Old Cut Diamond Horseshoe Ring
Irene Byrne & Co
Oh how we love this sweet Victorian ring! From the 1900s, the 7 old cut diamonds have been set in a horseshoe design, with decorative shoulders all in 18ct yellow gold. Horseshoes throughout the ages have symbolised good luck. The Victorians positioned their horseshoes with the opening of the shoe towards the Earth, as to harness the Earth’s energy but not capture it, and in doing so share Earthly wealth and abundance with everyone, with community.
Circa: 1900
Design Period: Victorian
Gemstone: Diamonds
Cut: Old Cut
Carat: 7 Diamonds = 0.30ct
Material: 18ct Yellow Gold
Accompanied by an Ian Abeshouse Valuation
Design Period: Victorian
Gemstone: Diamonds
Cut: Old Cut
Carat: 7 Diamonds = 0.30ct
Material: 18ct Yellow Gold
Accompanied by an Ian Abeshouse Valuation
Victorian Period (1837 - 1901):
The Victorian Period defined by none other than Queen Victoria herself, had three stages - the Romantic, the Grand and the Aesthetic.
It was during the Romantic era that Queen Victoria married her Prince, Albert. Sentimental motifs such as; hearts, lover’s knots, flowers, bows, crescent moons and particularly serpents (which was subject to Queen Victoria’s engagement ring which represented enduring love) became extremely popular in jewellery design. Cameos, Enamelling and the use of bright coloured gemstones such as; garnets, amethysts, turquoise, pearls and diamonds gave way to the creation of jewellery that was beginning to speak a symbolic language of its own.
The Grand era was a sombre period which saw Queen Victoria mourning the death of her beloved husband Albert. It encompassed 20 years during which time Victoria would only wear black and mourning jewellery. As a result the Whitby Jet industry flourished and onyx and deeper coloured garnets rose in popularity. Rings, lockets and brooches were commissioned with compartments for a lock of a loved one’s hair and were often engraved with the person’s name, age and date of death.
The Aesthetic era saw a return to the light-heartedness of the Romantic Era. The discoveries being made through archaeology led to an Etruscan Revival with Greek, Roman and Renaissance influences becoming apparent in jewellery design as well as symbols of good luck and fortune.