The timeless symbolism of Victorian love jewellery

Victorian jewellery isn’t just a style - it’s a glimpse into an era when every piece was crafted to tell a story. In today’s market, where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by mass-produced engagement rings and generic designs, Victorian love jewellery has re-emerged as the choice for those who wish to invest in a piece of history with genuine soul. This revival isn’t a passing trend. It’s a movement towards authenticity, environmental sustainability, and the rediscovery of romance that endures across generations.

If you’re thinking about buying a vintage engagement ring or searching for a meaningful heirloom, understanding the language of Victorian love jewellery may just help you to make an inspired and informed choice.

Antique Victorian rings: Hidden romantic codes

Felicity, our antique Victorian diamond horseshoe ring

In the era of ‘proper etiquette’ among society’s upper echelons, a number of new rules prohibited outright flirtations between individuals. As such, one of the most compelling aspects of Victorian jewellery is its use of coded symbolism to express devotion and sentiment. Today, many jewellery lovers are uninspired by the predictability and minimalism of modern engagement rings. The symbolism of Victorian jewellery offers an exciting way to imbue your investment jewel with a deeper level of personal meaning, whilst celebrating the traditions of yesteryear.

Take the acrostic ring, for example - an ingenious design that spells out words using the first letter of each gemstone. A ring spelling “REGARD” could feature Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby again, and Diamond. Using the same technique, “DEAREST” was another popular declaration of appreciation.

Following Prince Albert’s proposal to Queen Victoria with her iconic snake ring – its serpentine coils said to symbolise eternal love undeterred by life’s twists and turns - it wasn’t long before affluent women across the nation were donning intimate, symbolic jewels of their own. Iconography like the four-leafed clover and the crescent moon gained romantic weight in a similar vein to floral jewellery that spoke ‘the language of flowers’. The horseshoe, in particular, was thought to protect from evil spirits, bring its wearer success and harmony, and ward off demons and hardships. With its lucky connotations, the horseshoe ring isn’t just a timeless icon; it carries the same sentiments that inspired original owners over 150 years ago.

Some other popular symbolism in meaningful Victorian jewellery included:

Swallows = A safe return home and faithful love, on account of swallows mating for life

Bees = Loyalty

Clasped hands (the fede motif) = Unity, friendship, or betrothal

Anchors = Hope and steadfastness

Stars = Guidance, divine favour, a light in darkness

Painted eyes in lockets or brooches (‘Lover’s Eye’ miniatures) = A private token of love without revealing identity

The lover’s knot = Two people intertwined for eternity

Lockets and hair jewellery: Original love tokens

The Reclaimed Vintage locket necklace

Victorian lockets are among the most romantic examples of antique jewellery you could possibly wear. Crafted to hold a photograph or a lock of hair, they were tokens of affection meant to be worn close to the heart, whether to celebrate a relationship between lovers or to commemorate someone lost.

Today, lockets remain a meaningful alternative to the more conventional pendant, inviting you to imbue your jewel with an additional layer of personal sentiment. If you’re looking for a vintage keepsake with depth and symbolism, a locket from the Victorian period is a lovely choice. These pieces are often engraved with initials, symbolic floral motifs or private inscriptions; their delicate hand craftsmanship imbues them with character and makes them impossible to replicate using modern production techniques. Our Reclaimed Vintage collection revives this tradition once more, our locket necklace sensitively restoring an authentic Victorian heart-shaped case embellished with hand-engraving.

Traditional jewellery craftsmanship that can’t be reproduced

Scarlett, our antique Victorian five-ruby ring

While today’s technology enables us to produce jewellery with laser precision, this reliability and repeatability leaves very little space for the quirks that define Victorian jewellery. All of the antique Victorian rings and jewellery components you see on our website were crafted by hand, which means no two treasures are ever identical – each bearing tiny indicators of the expert hand who realised them in the first place. Subtle variations can usually be found in hand-engraving, gemstone cuts and mounting detail, instilling this jewellery with character that helps them to stand out in a crowded market.

Old-cut diamonds are especially prized among collectors and jewellery lovers seeking a symbolic Victorian jewel. These gemstones – faceted and shaped before the advent of modern brilliant cutting – boast larger facets, the occasional asymmetry, and a soft romantic glow. Predating mainstream electrical lighting, they were designed to sparkle by candlelight, a detail that can’t be captured by machinery or mass production. This deep shimmer really is a quality that can only be appreciated in person.

Reclaiming Victorian legacy; Telling new stories in old gold

The Reclaimed Vintage Evangeline repurposed brooch earrings

The reclaiming of Victorian love jewellery actively champions the Circular Economy model of sharing, leasing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. The pre-loved Victorian jewellery in our collections is now minimal in environmental footprint, enabling us to continue writing new legacies without demanding any further mining or production. To some extent then, the symbolism of Victorian jewellery in today’s context is the vital role it plays in encouraging us to revise our constant need for the new, slowing the rate at which we consume by reimagining the purposes of what already exists.

From our perfectly preserved antique Victorian rings to the repurposed pendants, pocket watch chains, T-bar clasps and Albert fastenings of our Reclaimed Vintage collection, the Victorian jewellery here at The Vintage Ring Co. is a symbol of consideration, deep care for our planet and historic legacies, and the phenomenon of many personal tales layered upon one another.

As such, the resurgence of Victorian engagement rings and symbolic love tokens is not just about nostalgia. It symbolises a cultural shift towards valuing originality, history, and the emotional resonance of jewellery. When you choose an antique ring, you’re buying something no one else has. It carries a story that will continue with you, becoming part of your own life’s milestones.

At The Vintage Ring Co., we believe the symbolism of Victorian love jewellery deserves a place in contemporary life. In line with the ‘slow jewellery’ philosophy we live by, we advocate for deep personal connections with our pieces, because it’s these emotive relationships with the things we own that ensure they live long and prosper. Whether you’re marking an engagement, celebrating an anniversary, or simply investing in a piece of history, antique Victorian jewellery is an opportunity to honour the past whilst celebrating the future. Every reclaimed piece in our collection is a testament to craftsmanship, romance, and the belief that true beauty never goes out of style.