Victorian-era rings were characterised by Queen Victoria's reign and her deep affection for Prince Albert. Their engagement and marriage shaped the style of both wedding and engagement rings of the time. Queen Victoria's taste for diamonds, together with expanding material availability, also triggered a revolution in diamond ring popularity.
The Victorian era encapsulates three distinctive periods — the Romantic, Grand and Aesthetic. These periods each have unique styles and histories. The Romantic brought colourful jewellery that symbolised love. Grand era rings were darker, marking the loss and memory of a loved one following Prince Albert’s death. The Aesthetic era brought more delicate and artistic designs that continued into the Edwardian era.