The Estate Collection No. 10 - Victorian Ring and Pendant Necklace
Created in England in the 1880s, a token from the era of Queen Victoria’s last years as Monarch. This piece is symbolic of a time in history when fine jewellery with gold and diamonds was first accessible to a flourishing merchant class.
Originally designed as a brooch — and likely purchased by a husband to celebrate a milestone, an anniversary or the birth of a child — it would have been worn pinned to the lapel of a thick wool coat in winter, or just below the breastbone of a summer dress. It is likely that this piece was then passed down to generations of children after, before finding its way to the estate market, and to us.
It has been re-imagined as both a ring and a pendant necklace. The floral motif, inspired by Majolica and Peranakan tiles, is encrusted in the piece’s original old mine cut diamonds. Almost impossible to find in modern day fine jewellery, they disperse light in a way that brilliant cut diamonds cannot. Custom cut jade pieces and brilliant cut diamonds add a subtle depth to the piece.
“There were many reasons why I was so drawn to this piece, not least because the main floral motif resembled the Choo Yilin logo. The logo was created as an homage to my ancestral lineage as the fifth generation to have grown up in the Peranakan neighbourhood of Joo Chiat, Singapore, an area that is rich in culture and history, and has won numerous architectural awards, including one from UNESCO for cultural heritage conservation.”
This piece is part of a digital gallery exhibition and is not currently available for purchase.
The Estate Collection encompasses antique jewellery pieces thoughtfully restored to reflect our stories across time and continents — to honour history, to shape the present, and to hold space for what’s yet to unfold. Each piece is the only one of its kind in the world.
Read about The Estate collection and our founder's thoughts for more.