There seems to be no consensus on when the engagement season is officially in full swing, and while some jewellers say December marks the start of proposals, others say that spring is the time when love is in the air. Differing opinions aside, there is no doubt that beautiful coloured gemstones are always welcome, be they in engagement rings or in jewels to celebrate an anniversary.
However, no one can deny that Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, and if you are on the hunt for an engagement ring, where better to head than Fabergé. This legendary jeweller is known for its exceptional use of coloured gemstones, and now the ever-growing collection of Fabergé rings in the Devotion collection offers an enticing range of ways to say “I love you”.
See our top five coloured gemstones for a unique engagement ring
The Jewellery Editor team first saw these gorgeous pieces of Fabergé jewellery at the Couture Show Las Vegas in May 2015. We couldn’t contain our delight at the sight of a velvet tray full of luscious coloured gemstones, each one more tempting than the other. We did what all girls do and tried on every single one, then compared, shared and breathed a collective sigh when they went back into the display case, our gaze wistfully following them.
The Devotion collection offers some impressive single stone styles that would make standout engagement rings or perfect right-hand rings. Fabergé derives its responsibly sourced emeralds and rubies through its collaboration with Gemfields. Outstanding stones include the glossy blue 19.43ct cabochon-cut sapphire, which drew me into an infinite sea of blue. The vivacious 11.44ct Zambian emerald seems to be lit from within, while others may be drawn to the deeper colour of the Gemfields 13.74ct Zambian emerald. And the rich red of the 7.69ct spinel has an aura of grandeur associated with this regal colour.
Read more on African rubies
Three Devotion Aurora rings feature either a central sapphire, emerald or ruby, framed by clusters of diamonds and smaller coloured stones for a big look on the finger. Again, these would make perfect engagement rings or just a romantic way to reaffirm your love.
Beyond the glorious choice of vibrant hues, the name Fabergé is steeped in history. Gustav Fabergé, a Huguenot who trained as a goldsmith in 1842, opened his first shop in St Petersburg. It was Gustav’s son, Peter Carl Fabergé, who was commissioned as a goldsmith to the Imperial Crown under Tsar Alexander III, and created the famous Easter eggs and magnificent jewels for the Romanovs for which the house became famous. Using colour just as an artist would his paint palette, Fabergé gained a strong following of sophisticated and wealthy clientele who were fascinated by his unusual combinations of colours and materials.
Read more about the Imperial Fabergé Egg
At the fin de siècle, as the world of art, dance and music was being revolutionised, Fabergé was doing something similar with jewellery. This passion for expressing emotion shines out in the Devotion rings, which are a happy marriage of tradition and the very best in coloured gemstones.
