Sparkle and Romance: The History of Love and Jewellery, a timeless connection.

Valentine’s Day is upon us -  Have you ever wondered why jewellery and love have always gone hand in hand? From ancient rings woven from reeds to dazzling diamond engagement rings, the story of love and jewellery is as fascinating as it is fun. So grab a cuppa, and let’s dive into this glittering history!

Ancient Love Stories with a Twist

Picture this: ancient Egypt, where love was eternal, and jewellery was a must-have for lovers. Instead of gold, couples exchanged rings made from braided reeds (not quite as glamorous but very heartfelt). These rings symbolised unity and eternity—an idea that stuck around to inspire today’s wedding bands.

Meanwhile, the Ancient Romans were all about strength and permanence. Betrothal rings were crafted from iron (talk about heavy metal!), later upgraded to gold with intricate carvings when people fancied something a bit more luxe.

Medieval Love Bling

By the medieval era, romance was in full bloom—and jewellery was the love language of choice. “Promise rings” engraved with sweet nothings became popular, while poesy rings (inscribed with poetic phrases) were all the rage for hopeless romantics.

And let’s not forget gemstones! Back then, they were believed to have mystical powers. Rubies stood for passion, sapphires symbolised fidelity, and emeralds brought harmony—the perfect trio for lovebirds.

Renaissance Romance with a Sparkle

The Renaissance era was like a jewellery designer’s dream. Lovers exchanged jewelled pendants, lockets, and brooches—often hiding tiny portraits or locks of hair inside. Imagine that on Instagram today!

As gem cutting techniques improved, diamonds emerged as the ultimate love token. Archduke Maximilian of Austria gets credit for starting the diamond engagement ring trend when he gave one to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. Nice one, Max!

Victorian Love Gets Sentimental

The Victorians knew how to do romance in style. Hearts, flowers, and intertwined initials were all popular motifs. Even mourning jewellery (yes, really) featured intricate designs to remember lost loved ones.

Queen Victoria herself loved jewellery, inspiring trends like snake-themed designs—a symbol of eternal love. Snakes may not scream romance today, but back then, they were all the rage.

20th Century Diamonds and Modern Love

Fast forward to the 20th century, and diamonds officially became a girl’s best friend, thanks to the famous “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign by De Beers. Suddenly, popping the question without a diamond ring felt incomplete.

Personalised jewellery also took centre stage—engraved rings, bespoke pendants, and custom charm bracelets became beautiful ways to tell unique love stories.

Why Jewellery and Love Are Meant to Be

So why have jewellery and love always been connected? It’s simple—jewellery is timeless, just like love. It captures moments, milestones, and memories that words sometimes can’t express. Plus, the craftsmanship that goes into creating a stunning piece of jewellery mirrors the care and thoughtfulness that go into nurturing a relationship.

A Sparkling Valentine’s Day

This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re gifting a classic diamond ring, a personalised charm bracelet, or even a quirky pair of matching earrings, remember that jewellery has always been a shining symbol of love. After all, love deserves a little sparkle, don’t you think?