{"product_id":"early-19th-century-15ct-gold-turquoise-forget-me-not-ruby-locket-ring","title":"Early 19th Century 15ct Gold Turquoise Forget-Me-Not \u0026 Ruby Locket Ring","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully romantic early 19th-century forget-me-not ring, believed to date to circa 1820–1840, featuring five beautiful turquoise cabochons arranged as a delicate flower, with a little ruby nestled at its centre, mounted in 15ct yellow gold.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe five turquoise stones display lovely variations of blue, from soft sky blue to a more vivid turquoise, giving the flower a charming individuality. The tiny pinkish-red ruby at the centre provides a beautiful contrast, while the broad, gently tapering gold shoulders lend the ring a wonderfully elegant early 19th-century appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe forget-me-not was one of the most meaningful flowers in Georgian and Victorian jewellery. Its name carried a wonderfully simple message: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForget me not.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e In the language of flowers, it represented remembrance, faithful love and enduring affection, making it a particularly popular motif for sentimental jewels exchanged between loved ones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the early 19th century, flowers were often used to communicate feelings that might otherwise remain unspoken. A forget-me-not could express a wish to be remembered, whether between lovers, friends or family members separated by distance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurquoise was especially suited to these little floral jewels, its beautiful blue colour recalling the natural forget-me-not flower. It was also traditionally associated with protection, friendship and good fortune, adding another layer of sentiment to the design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps the most romantic detail of all is the little locket compartment concealed behind the flower, which may once have held a treasured lock of hair. Although we often associate hair jewellery with mourning today, this was certainly not always its purpose. During the early 19th century, locks of hair were exchanged between lovers, friends and family members as deeply personal tokens of affection, particularly when separated by distance. A little compartment such as this could have held a reminder of someone very much alive, rather than someone who had passed away. Combined with the forget-me-not flower, whose message was simply “forget me not”, it makes this a wonderfully sentimental jewel, celebrating love, memory and the desire to remain close to someone dear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe substantial, tapering gold shoulders frame the little flower beautifully, while the low, compact setting gives the ring a lovely presence on the finger.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA delightful example of early 19th-century sentimental jewellery, combining the symbolism of the forget-me-not with the intimacy of a hidden locket. A wonderfully personal little jewel, made to keep someone close and, quite literally, never forget them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Parkin and Gerrish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57644186599797,"sku":"214M","price":1170.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0373\/3428\/6475\/files\/early-19th-century-15ct-gold-turquoise-forget-me-not-ruby-locket-ring-7286788.jpg?v=1791920364","url":"https:\/\/parkinandgerrish.com\/en-nl\/products\/early-19th-century-15ct-gold-turquoise-forget-me-not-ruby-locket-ring","provider":"Parkin and Gerrish","version":"1.0","type":"link"}