Victorian 22ct Garnet & Pearl Ring

This hearty Victorian 22ct gold garnet and pearl ring, dated Birmingham, 1869, is a masterwork of 19th-century craftsmanship. At its heart, an oval-cut garnet glows with a wine-red intensity, its rich hue evoking passion and protection. The bold garnet stone is flanked by two luminous pearls, softly lustrous and beautifully offsetting the fiery central stone.

Each gem is embraced by a decorative metal beadwork mount, lending texture and a regal frame to the trio with a touch of Victorian style. The shoulders of the ring are intricately engraved with foliate motifs, symbolising growth and nature’s delicate beauty. These thematic elements in Victorian jewellery design often fused personal sentiment with naturalistic aesthetics. A striking historic ring that is truly a testament to the enduring charm of Victorian romance and the artistry of its golden age.

1869 marks the year that the second volume of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was published – the first part being published the year prior to immediate commercial and critical success. (It’s initial printing of two thousand copies sold out in two weeks.) In the time line of the story, 1869 marks the year that the beloved Beth dies – but it is also the year the Amy and Laurie fall in love and come home together. 
 

‘Talent isn't genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.’ 

~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women