How do I care for antique rings?

Antique rings require gentle handling due to their age and delicate setting techniques. Regular cleaning with mild soapy water and a soft brush helps maintain the metal and stones. It is advisable to remove these rings during heavy manual work or swimming to protect fragile gems like opals and pearls.

How can I tell the period?

Dating relies on examining the cut of the diamonds, the choice of metals, and the overall structural style. Edwardian pieces often combine platinum and yellow gold with intricate openwork, while mid-century designs display bolder cocktail proportions. Hallmarks stamped inside the band also provide specific clues regarding the assay office and year of manufacture.

What gems were used historically?

Traditional rings incorporated sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds as primary stones. Pearls, amethysts, citrines, opals, and aquamarines also appear frequently across nineteenth and twentieth-century examples. These materials reflect the tastes and trade routes accessible to jewellers during the Victorian, Edwardian, and later decades.