Love mixed with history: the Belle Époque engagement ring

Imagine yourself adorned with a piece of history, where every glimmer of light on this Belle Époque engagement ring whispers tales of romance and elegance. Originating from Belgium around 1900, this ring is a symphony of 18-carat yellow and white gold or platinum, set with two old European cut diamonds and a constellation of twelve others, dancing alongside delicate rose cuts. At its heart lies a pearl, symbol of purity and love. You are not just wearing a ring; you are embracing a timeless love story, a testament to the enduring charm of the Belle Époque, when fashion and luxury reigned supreme.

Antique jewelry group: engagement ring (or anniversary ring)

Condition: excellent condition
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Country of origin: Although it bears no legible control mark, we believe it to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Belle Époque – The Belle Époque is a period of European social history that began at the end of the 19th century and lasted until the First World War. Taking place during the era of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the “Belle Époque” was named retrospectively, when it began to be regarded as a “golden age.” The great European powers, new technologies improved life, and commercial arts adapted Renaissance and 18th-century styles to modern forms. In the United States, newly wealthy and emerging from the Panic of 1873, this comparable era was called the Gilded Age. In the United Kingdom, this period overlapped the end of what is called the Victorian era and the period known as the Edwardian era. For more information on styles

Style specifics: The Belle Époque (in French "Belle Époque") is a period of European social history that began at the end of the 19th century following the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and lasted until the First World War (1914-1918).

Taking place during the time of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the "Belle Époque" was named retrospectively, when it began to be regarded as a "golden age": the great European powers, new technologies improved life, and commercial arts adapted Renaissance and 18th-century styles to modern forms.

In the newly wealthy United States, emerging from the Panic of 1873, this comparable era was called the "Gilded Age." In the United Kingdom, this period coincides with the end of the Victorian era and the so-called "Edwardian era."

In the Belle Époque, coal and cheap labor contributed to the cult of the orchid and allowed for the perfection of fruits grown under glass, while the apparatus of state dinners extended to the upper classes; champagne was perfected during the Belle Époque. Exotic feathers and furs took on a more important role than ever in fashion, haute couture was invented in Paris, the center of the Belle Époque, where fashion began to evolve according to an annual cycle; in Paris, restaurants like Maxim's reached new splendor and prestige by becoming parade places for the wealthy, and the Opéra Garnier devoted immense spaces to staircases, similar venues for spectacle.

After the middle of the century, railways connected all major European cities to spa towns like Biarritz and Deauville; their carriages were strictly divided into first and second class, but the wealthiest began to order private cars, exclusivity being the mark of opulent luxury. The bohemian lifestyle acquired a different glamour, practiced in the cabarets of Montmartre.

Period: around 1900
- (events and facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Material: Two tones of precious metal, the main part being in 18-carat yellow gold and the white parts are either in white gold or platinum.
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Additional information: Engagement rings were used in Roman times, but their return to the West did not occur until the 13th century. The first documented use of a diamond ring to symbolize engagement was that of Archduke Maximilian of Austria at the imperial court of Vienna in 1477, upon his engagement to Mary of Burgundy.

Before the 20th century, other types of engagement gifts were common. Before the end of the 19th century, the future bride often received a thimble rather than an engagement ring. This practice was particularly widespread among religious groups who rejected jewelry. Engagement rings only became the norm in the West at the end of the 19th century, and diamond rings became widespread only in the 1930s. Today, 80% of women are given a diamond ring for their engagement. (Source: Wikipedia)

Diamond(s): Two old brilliant-cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.32 ct.
12 old brilliant-cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.26ct.
Ten rose-cut diamonds and senailles. A senaille is a simplified rose-cut diamond, a small diamond chip sometimes with a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of the rose-cut diamonds or the senailles, unlike what is usual in our profession.

Total diamond weight: (excluding rose-cuts) approximately 0.58 ct. with an average color and clarity: H/K, vs/i.

- All diamond weights, color grades, and clarity are approximate as the stones are not removed from their settings in order to preserve the integrity of the mounting.

Gemstones: One pearl

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and pearl is for June.
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Hallmarks: No trace.
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Dimensions: length across the top of the ring 2.23 cm (0.88 inch)

Weight: 4.80 grams (3.09 dwt)

Continental ring size: 56 and 17¾, US size 7½, UK size: O½

Resizing: free resizing (only for extreme resizing do we have to charge).
- (more information about ring sizes)