The moment that ‘Bridgerton’ fans have been waiting for is here – the second half of Season 3 is on Netflix.
Boasting an abundance of love stories, engagements and A LOT of fabulous jewellery, we can’t get enough of the period drama – particularly after THAT ending of the first half.
If you’ve fallen in love with the regency era like us and are looking for an engagement ring, you’re in luck – Steven Stone‘s Leading Diamond Expert, Maxwell Stone, has revealed the key to choosing a Bridgerton-esque design. He’s also taken a look at a some of the rings from the series.
“The regency period focused highly on natural beauty. The jewellery was typically dainty and delicate, while hair and makeup was minimal. Engagement rings were not essential, although wealthy men often gave them to their partners as a symbol of their love.
They weren’t like the engagement rings we see today, with huge diamonds and halo settings. Instead, they featured smaller stones, usually on a yellow gold band, with coloured gemstones, pearls, or a pretty floral design. During the early 1800’s men didn’t usually wear a wedding ring, however women did.”
Daphne’s wedding ring from Simon
In Series One, Daphne received a wedding ring from the Duke. Despite their wealth, the ring is understated, delicate and detailed, which is quite fitting for the Regency era in which the series is set.
It most prominently features four pearls of equal size, arranged in a cross-like formation on a yellow gold band. These are flanked by two larger and four smaller stones that appear to be either rubies or garnets. A small diamond is nestled in the very centre, giving the ring a pretty floral design.
Kate’s engagement ring from Anthony
One particular piece of jewellery is the focal point of Series Two – the engagement ring that Violet passes down to her eldest son, Anthony.
Anthony initially proposes to Edwina with the ring, which was originally bestowed upon Violet by her deceased husband, Edmund. Though after a serious game of will-they, won’t-they, it eventually finds it way to its rightful owner, Kate.
The ring features six pearls that are arranged in the shape of a flower. At the flowers centre, sits a bezel-set diamond-like stone. Crafted from yellow gold, the split-shank band features intricate, curled detailing. Enhancing its romantic allure, the delicate piece of jewellery is safely stored in a heart-shaped box.
Penelope’s engagement ring from Colin
The first half of Series Three came to an end with Colin proposing to Penelope, after they shared a passion kiss in a carriage.
Penelope’s engagement ring from Colin showcases six pearl orbs arranged in a floral pattern, centered around a yellow diamond. It’s surprising that the show opted for a yellow diamond as although coloured gemstones did garner some interest in the Regency era, the technology to cut and showcase them to maximise their brilliance wasn’t very advanced.
The intricate yellow gold band features delicate leaf-like details branching out on either side, adding to its exquisite design.
How to choose your own regency engagement ring
Yellow gold
During the regency era, wedding rings were either made from white or yellow gold, but most commonly yellow gold.
“Yellow gold gives an engagement ring a vintage feel. In the 1800′, wedding rings were usually made from yellow gold as white gold didn’t become popular until around 1912. If you want to create a Bridgerton inspired look, yellow gold is the way to go – just make sure to add a coloured gemstone or pearl, too.”
Coloured gemstones over diamonds
Pearls, sapphires, rubies and garnets were widely used in Georgian jewellery, often cut in the shape of a cabochon or teardrop. Rubies and pearls were a fashionable combination at the time, and just like we see on Daphne’s ring, they are the perfect pair.
“While nowadays, diamonds are the most popular stone for engagement rings, this wasn’t always the case. The regency and victorian eras favoured colourful stones, including sapphires, rubies, amethyst, garnet, topaz, and pearls. The rings were sometimes embellished with filigree and delicate engraving.”
Marquise and pear shaped stones
It’s worth noting that the ring mentioned in Julia Quinn’s novel, ‘The Duke and I’, which is what ‘Bridgerton’ is based on, Daphne’s wedding ring from Simon is described as a “large, marquise-cut emerald” surrounded by two diamonds with a white gold band.
We aren’t sure why the team at Netflix swapped the style of the ring, however, what we do know, is that both rings do reflect the era.
“In the ‘Bridgerton’ era, stones were most likely to be old cut, which generally means they were cut without the precision of modern cut stones. They appear to be rougher and have slightly less sparkle than the stones we sell today, due to the lack of symmetry. While you can still buy antique old-cut stones, if you’re looking for a new engagement ring, we suggest choosing a marquise, cushion, or pear shaped stone that mirrors the antique feel, but are higher in quality.”
Floral designs
Feminine floral designs were favoured in the regency era. Usually, designed with coloured gemstones, they were small and detailed, rather than large and bold.
“Pretty floral designs were very popular in the 1800’s – as they look amazing with coloured gemstones. Recently, they’ve become increasingly popular. Katy Perry and Princess Eugenie both have engagement rings with floral designs, which created a wave of interest from shoppers.”
Intricate detail
Modern day wedding and engagement rings are less detailed than those from the 1800’s. These were usually engraved with meaningful messages, which solidified the bond between a husband and wife. More attention was also paid to the finishing process of a ring from the 1800’s, as they often featured intricate patterns or designs.
Interestingly, the 1800s saw an influx of designs inspired by archeological finds from the opening of Egyptian and Etruscan tombs, so bear that in mind when thinking about your own design.
“While now, we tend to focus on the carats of the diamond or gemstone used to create an engagement ring, in the 1800’s the focus was all on the detail. The level of craftsmanship and detail put into vintage engagement rings is unparalleled, still to this day. Many new designs imitate this vintage style, but it’s also important to ensure they contain the same level of detail.”
If you’re looking for some jewellery inspiration, why not take a look at our full collection? Whether you’re after a necklace or some diamond earrings, we’ve got you covered. We also have a vast range of engagement and wedding rings.
If you don’t see anything that takes your fancy, we also offer a bespoke service, where our designers will create a unique piece of jewellery that ticks all the boxes.
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