Antique ring typical so-called Suffragette diamond ring with precious stones

Let us unravel the mystery of this 18K red gold with silver Late-Victorian ring from 1890 encrypted in the colour of each of its four prominent gemstones. Together, the colours embody an historical message: Green, White, Violet makes "Give Women the Vote". Meanwhile, the yellow colour underlines the internationally common ground of this idea, founded by the women fighting for their right to vote in the early 1900's. These women, particularly militants in the United Kingdom, called themselves "the Suffragettes".

Furthermore, these specific colours were chosen for their intrinsic symbolism. Hope springs in the Green of the square cut tourmaline while purity emanates from a White old European cut diamond in a vertical alignment with the verdant green. Royalty, dignity and freedom can be discovered in the Violet of a pinkish tourmaline side by side with a gold beryl.

Clearly being a jewel meant for a strong woman, this ring will always guide you to all your desires and ambitions. (For more information about the "Suffragette movement" also read the section "Extra information")

Antique jewelry object group: ring

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: unknown

Style: Late-Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration.

Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
  -  See also: late-Victorian or more info on styles

Period: ca. 1890
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Source of inspiration: Women's equal right movement

Material: 18k red gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Extra information: Suffragettes - The beginning of the 1900's has seen a lot of political tipping points. One of these is the first feminist activism pleading for the right for women to vote. The legacy of this battle on many different levels is called the suffragette movement. The English word "suffrage" stands for the right to vote. This is why the supporters -mostly women- called themselves "suffragettes".

To identify one another as members or to indicate support of the movement, it is believed that these women used a secret colour code out of fear of revealing their sympathies to their husbands, sons, and society as a whole.

Because there wasn't only one union of women, but rather multiple small cooperations, there are multiple colour codes. The most famous code is the one used in Great Britiain:
-Green for hope, new life and spring
-White for purity and honesty
-Violet for royalty, dignity and freedom

The first letter of every colour stands for the catch-phrase "Give Women the Vote". It is also known that in the USA the colour yellow was used as an acknowledged colour.

Diamond(s): One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 0.60ct. (colour and clarity: G/H, vs).
Seven old brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.32ct. (colour and clarity: G/K, si/i).
- All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Total diamond weight: approx. 0.92 crt.

Precious stones: One yellow gold beryl with an estimated weight of ± 0.39ct.
One pink tourmaline with an estimated weight of ± 0.50ct.
One green tourmaline with an estimated weight of ± 0.14ct.


Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and tourmaline for October.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: width of top of ring 1,73 cm (0,68 inch)

Weight: 3,90 gram (2,51 dwt)

Ring size Continental: 55 & 17½ , Size US 7¼ , Size UK: O

Resizing: Free resizing (only for extreme resizing we have to charge).
  -  (more info on ring sizes)

Reference Nº: 17053-0018

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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August - September - October - November or December.


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