Sentimental Victorian Forget Me Not Ring

The Victorians were mightily sentimental and loved to sneak semi-obscured messages and hidden meanings into jewelry and other everyday objects. Though "floriography," the conveyance of messages through floral arrangements, dates back centuries earlier, interest soared in Victorian England and 19th-century North America. Bouquets expressed feelings that it seemed couldn't possibly be said aloud, and this trend worked its way into artistic expression and thus jewelry as well.

With a name that already tells us more (and more bluntly!) than so many other species and varietals, the forget me not was used to represent a true an undying love, fidelity, friendship, and loyalty, particularly when faced with challenges such as distance, separation, or death. A central banded agate has been carved in the cameo style (raised relief) to make use of the variance in the stone's coloured layers, allowing the white layer of the flower to stand in contrast to the moody black background. Flanked with a trio of pearls (believed to be the tears of the gods) on either shoulder, the ring has a distinctly melancholic yet hopeful feel.

Please keep in mind that pearls are not compatible with hand sanitizers/alcohols, and with closed-back settings care should be taken to avoid submerging the ring in water.

Good antique condition with wear in line with age and use, including slightly visible epoxy, and evidence of past sizing.

Details:
• 9k yellow gold, unstamped but tested
• Size 7.75 and can be resized down within one size (do not recommend sizing up)
• Six seed pearls and one oval agate carved in cameo with a forget me not flower
• Face of ring measures 7.2mm wide, 15.4mm across, with a rise of 2.8mm; back of band measures 2.1mm wide and 0.4mm thick
• 1.3g