Georgian Era Vintage Engagement Rings

An authentic Georgian ring is considered to be one that was produced during the reigns of Kings George I-IV. The designs of vintage engagement rings crafted during this period (1714 to 1830) often reflect a longing for the "good old days" of the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance years. This article surveys the styles, metals, and gemstones of vintage engagement rings of the Georgian era.

Ring Designs of the Georgian Era

Jewellery produced throughout the Georgian era often represented earthly themes and complex shapes while simultaneously featuring innovative gemstone cuts. It was during this time period that experimental settings and open facets were designed to allow more light reflection in radiant jewels. The essential characteristic of a Georgian engagement ring is a concerted effort to maximize flash, fire and brilliance.

Metalwork around the bands of Georgian jewellery was also very intricate. Many of them would be engraved with butterflies, flowers, doves, acorns, wheat stalks, or other nature themed objects. Beyond such shapes, the pieces were commonly etched with personalised designs like the initials of the engaged couple, or Old English love sayings such as "I Love My Choyce" or "Keepe Faith Till Death."

Georgian Ring Materials, Metals and Gemstones

Vintage engagement rings from this time period were usually crafted from 22k and 18k gold. Occasionally they were made with 15k or 10k karat gold, but such a composition was not as common. Some were also made with silver and pinchbeck, a popular imitation metal of the day made with 83% copper and 17% zinc.

Settings and prongs for gemstones and diamonds were typically made with silver, and sometimes silver plated over gold.

While extravagantly large diamonds were the fancy of all nobility and royalty, these Georgian rings are very rare to find today. Most tend to be in private collections or museums. The most common diamond Georgian engagement pieces to be found in the marketplace today feature small cluster designs.

Georgian engagement rings also often included a tiny piece of foil under the setting of the focal stone in order to increase brilliance and fire. Today, vintage engagement rings from the era usually do not have this light-reflective instalment since it easily wears away with time.

The common materials of the age used to fashion engagement pieces included royal blue glass, rock crystal, and marcasite (an iron sulfide mineral that is somewhat brittle). Colourful gems frequently used included emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnet, topaz, and black onyx, and additional materials such as coral, river pearls, and fine seashells were often used as accents.

If the composition and design of these vintage engagement rings strikes your fancy, consider marking your upcoming betrothal with a token of beauty and sentimentality from the Georgian era.

Frederick Holm is staff writer for of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From diamonds to vintage engagement rings, from a princess cut to a platinum band, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.