Van Sipma Jewelers2011 Ridge Rd. Homewood, IL 60430 |
American Gem Society: The Power of Love
| The century opened with woman, demure
and decorative, fragile and revered, well established upon her pedestal.
The jewelry matched her idealized status...pretty, feminine, sentimental.
Symbols of love, hearts, crowns and flowers followed her from the previous
century. So too did the memorial ring. Portrait rings carried the loved
one's likeness, executed in exquisite detail. Hidden in lockets, brooches
and rings were locks of hair, lovers' or children's, which were tenderly
cherished.
But alongside this delicate and appealing jewelry of sentiment, jewelry had an important role as a status symbol in nineteenth-century society. The industrial revolution made money for many. The successful businessman showed off his newly acquired wealth in public by loading his wife with jewelry. |
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Diamonds became increasingly sought
after. In 1870 supply met demand with the great discovery of diamond mines
on the African continent. At a stroke, the status symbol of the diamond
became accessible to a far wider public. For more and more young couples
a diamond engagement ring, usually a solitaire or a combination of several
smaller stones, was first choice.
By this time it was established that a bride could expect two rings: a gem-set engagement ring and the actual wedding ring which, in Victorian times, was no more than a slim gold band. Trade catalogues of the time show the immense variety of designs available, some for as little as £ 2. There are solitaires, half hoops, double or single clusters, fan, panel, navette, cross over or 2-part designs such as "Toi et Moi." The brilliant cut was dominant. Peruzzi, a Venetian cutter, is attributed with inventing the first version of this 58 facet cut; but only in the nineteenth century was the brillance and power of the diamond fully revealed. |
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American Gem Society: The Power of Love
