QUEEN VICTORIA’S ENGAGEMENT RING
Royal engagement rings have long been a source of fascination to the public due to their enormous value and unique designs.
But before the modern engagement rings we know and love got their debuts, Queen Victoria owned one of the most “distinctive” royal sparklers ever.
Prince Albert himself designed the engagement ring, he gave to Queen Victoria.
Shaped like a serpent, the ring included small rubies, diamonds, and an emerald, which was Queen Victoria’s birthstone.
At the time snakes were a symbol of wisdom and commitment.
The emerald weighed in at almost 20 carats, and the ring band featured a personal engraving of the couple’s engagement date.
The emerald was used in the centre of the serpent head, while rubies formed the eyes and a diamond represented the mouth.
The serpent’s tail was in its mouth to complete a circle that was unbroken, much like their love.
It was common practice for victorian rings to be set with one’s birthstone, however the thoughtfully placed emerald could also be representative of wisdom, while the diamond encrusted crown may represent royalty and power.
Few clear pictures of the precious jewel are available, as photography was an early art form in the Victorian era.
It is thought Victoria was buried with the ring, rather than passed on as a family heirloom.
? The rings below are very old reproductions made from Albert’s original drawings/design.
