How do I care for my 18 carat gold dress ring?

Clean your ring using warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding harsh chemicals that might harm softer gems like turquoise or opal. Store the piece separately in a fabric-lined box to prevent harder stones such as diamonds from scratching the gold mount.

Can I wear an antique dress ring daily?

Many Victorian and mid-century rings tolerate everyday wear if handled with reasonable care during manual tasks. Inspect the settings periodically to ensure the claws securely hold the diamonds, sapphires, or rubies in place.

How do I identify the period of my ring?

Examine the hallmark stamps inside the band, which often indicate the assay office, metal purity, and date letter corresponding to British registration codes. Design motifs such as boat shapes, starbursts, or platinum-topped shoulders also point towards Victorian, Edwardian, or Art Deco origins.

What is the difference between yellow and white 18ct gold?

Yellow 18ct gold contains a traditional alloy mixture of gold with silver and copper, yielding a warm hue. White 18ct gold alloys the yellow metal with white metals like palladium or silver to produce a silvery tone, which frequently pairs with platinum in mid-century and Art Deco settings.