1899 Victorian Diamond & Ruby Snake Ring

This striking Victorian ruby and diamond snake ring, hallmarked for London, 1899, possesses all the beauty of its age. Crafted in rich 18ct gold, the ring is formed as two entwined serpents whose bodies curve gracefully around one another in an eternal knot. One snake head is set with a sparkling diamond, the other with a vivid ruby, creating a striking contrast between light and fire. The design feels fluid and alive, as though the two snakes are caught in a perpetual dance of devotion.

The popularity of snake jewellery in the Victorian era emerged from the engagement ring given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1839. Designed as a coiled serpent, this ring made the snake into one of the nineteenth century's most beloved symbols of romantic love. To the Victorians, the serpent's unbroken form represented eternity, fidelity, wisdom, and enduring affection; a love without beginning or end.

Here, these snakes might suggest two lives bound together, while the ruby and diamond evoke the union of passion and constancy. The ruby, long associated with the heart, desire, and courage, complements the diamond's traditional meaning of enduring devotion and truth.

This is a special ring, full of mystery and carrying echoes of mythology, folklore, and forgotten symbolism while remaining incredibly modern and wearable in its elegance. More than a century after it was made, it still possesses all of its original power, making it an heirloom of true devotion.
 

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” 
 
~ Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë