Victorian Era Ring - Show me some

[joelly]

Hi Everyone,

I’m curious about Victorian Era Ring. I read that it is silver topped on gold. Is this the same as the gold dipped in silver?

I would also like to see your Victorian Era ring.

Thank you in advance!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

It sometimes can mean that a component is made in gold and attached to a silver base or vice versa. Like this Era gem piece which happens to be silver topped gold.

 

[JPie]

I don’t have a ring handy, but here are other antique examples of silver over gold. You can see that they’re two bonded layers of metal, though I have seen some examples where it looks more like a layer of gold plate over silver.

 

[joelly]

Thank you for these pictures.

I don’t get it though, why use silver then solder it onto gold, why not do it all in gold?

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

*shrugs*
White gold and platinum weren't available until the early 1900's
Easier to work into intricate design.
Patina. Aesthetic. Possibly cost.

 

[JPie]

Thank you for these pictures.

I don’t get it though, why use silver then solder it onto gold, why not do it all in gold?

It was the aesthetic preference of the time. Victorians felt that oxidized, blackened silver showcased the beauty of diamonds best. The gold back prevented the tarnish from rubbing off on skin and clothing.

 

[joelly]

It was the aesthetic preference of the time. Victorians felt that oxidized, blackened silver showcased the beauty of diamonds best. The gold back prevented the tarnish from rubbing off on skin and clothing.

Oh I see. I see how beautiful the antique ring looks. I’ve only ever seen some on victor barbone website.

like this one for example:https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGx...89ei52jpss&story_media_id=1995942263674409021

 

[joelly]

*shrugs*
White gold and platinum weren't available until the early 1900's
Easier to work into intricate design.
Patina. Aesthetic. Possibly cost.

This is very interesting. Our wedding ring is silver. Also due to costs. This is why when I heard that Victorian era ring was using silver for diamond rings, this is why it intrigues me.

 

[Rhea]

Diamonds typically are set in white metals. When your only options are yellow gold (white gold not yet used) or silver, the jewelers would set the white stones in the white metal available. Hence, silver!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

This is very interesting. Our wedding ring is silver. Also due to costs. This is why when I heard that Victorian era ring was using silver for diamond rings, this is why it intrigues me.

Historically there was a time when silver was considered more/as precious as gold. It's funny that our ideas of 'value' is just perception which evolves.

 

[mommylawyer]

I love this style of ring, especially this one at Lang Antiques:

Antique .55 Carat Diamond Ring

A bright and shining old mine-cut diamond, weighing .55 carat, sparkles in the center of a rather unusual and wonderful antique jewel dating back to turn-of-the-last century. Lightly hand-fabricated in silver over 18K yellow gold, the center stone is embellished all around with tiny twinkling...

www.langantiques.com

 

[JPie]

The sapphire isn’t original to the ring, but I believe the halo is likely antique and could be Victorian.

 

[Kimberly_Elizabeth]

It was the aesthetic preference of the time. Victorians felt that oxidized, blackened silver showcased the beauty of diamonds best. The gold back prevented the tarnish from rubbing off on skin and clothing.

Thanks for this info! I have a brooch that is silver but has a gold pin and backing and I was always sooo confused as to why part of it was gold!