Vintage Victorian Grace: The Aigrette Diamond Ring

An 1890 Victorian marvel, this engagement ring, believed to be of Belgian origin, showcases the era's grandeur. Crafted in 18K bi-color gold, it features an "Aigrette" design, symbolizing feathers in vogue at the time. The ring is adorned with four old brilliant cut diamonds, two exhibiting a unique natural fancy orangy brownish hue, with a combined weight of approximately 1.10 carats. This piece is not just a ring, but a historical echo of Victorian elegance and the enduring symbol of love and commitment.

Antique jewelry object group: engagement ring (or anniversary ring)

Condition: very good condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
  -  See also: Victorian or more info on styles

Style specifics: Victorian - In 1837 Queen Victoria begins the longest reign in the history of Great Britain. For 64 years, from 1837 till 1901, she symbolizes the growth and triumph of the British Empire as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India. Proud, passionate about beautiful things, highly educated about all styles of time, she influences the lifestyles through her taste and immense love of jewelry.

Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era. (Last part freely rendered from: Wikipedia)

Period: ca. 1890
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Source of inspiration: Aigrette-inspired. An aigrette is a hair ornament designed to hold or depict feathers. This fashion reached it's peak at the end of the 19th century when hats were often made entirely of feathers. Aigrettes were very much favored during the latter part of the Victorian period. Simpler, shorter Art Deco hair styles were often adorned with bandeaus and other hair ornaments, including aigrettes.

Extra information: Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April, and besides being the most popular gemstone for engagement rings, it is also the anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage.

Even though the diamond is the hardest of all gemstones known to man, it is the simplest in composition: it is common carbon. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was even said by some that they were the tears of the Gods or perhaps crystallized lightning or hardened dew drops. The exact origin of diamonds remained something of a mystery for centuries.

In ancient times only kings wore diamonds as a symbol of strength, courage and invincibility. Over the centuries, the diamond acquired its unique status as the ultimate gift of love. It was said that Cupid's arrows were tipped with diamonds which have a magic that nothing else can ever quite equal.

But it wasn't until 1477, when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, that the tradition of diamond engagement rings began. Even the reason a woman wears it on the third finger of her left hand dates back to the early Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger, left hand.

Material: 18K bi-color (yellow and red) gold
  -  (more info on precious metals)
It is known that there were upto 30 different colours of gold begin used in France since the end of the nineteenth century. This ring consists of more yellow toned and more red or warm yellow toned gold. Regarding the variety in colours, it is difficult to determine the exact colour.

Diamond(s): Two old brilliant cut diamonds with natural fancy orangy brownish colour with an estimated weight of ± 0.70ct. . One of the two diamonds has got a more soft beige undertone. The other one a warmer orange undertone. (clarity: i).
Two old brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.40ct. (colour and clarity: I/J, si/i).

Total diamond count: Four pcs.

Total diamond weight: approx. 1.10 crt.

- All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

More background information on: victorian, engagement ring,

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: length ca. 1,67 cm (0,66 inch) x width ca. 0,88 cm (0,35 inch) x height ca. 0,50 cm (0,20 inch)

Weight: 3,30 gram (2,12 dwt)

Ring size Continental: 49 & 13¾ , Size US 5 , Size UK: J

Resizing: Free resizing (only for extreme resizing we have to charge).
  -  (more info on ring sizes)

Reference Nº: 17247-0375

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

yellow gold jewelry, red gold jewelry, bi-color jewelry, jewelry with diamond, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


Additional information:
jewelry glossary - wall of fame - visit us in Antwerp - subscribe to our mailinglist.


What is antique jewelry? - What is estate jewelry? - What is vintage jewelry?