Gold Ring in U.K. Auction Is Very Early Example of Diamond Love Jewelry

By Annie Davidson Watson | January 26, 2026

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, London-based auction house Woolley & Wallis is offering a glimpse into medieval romance with an exceptionally early example of jewelry as a token of love—one that predates what is believed the be the first diamond engagement ring, given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477, by at least a century.

Lot 470 in Woolley & Wallis’ Jan. 29 Fine Jewellery sale is a 14th-century diamond-set gold stirrup ring inscribed with IE SVI CI EN LIV D’AMI, a phrase that translates to “I am here instead of a lover.” The ring, which carries an estimate of £6,000 to £8,000 (approximately $8,000–$11,000), features a natural, uncut octahedral diamond crystal, rub-over set in a smooth gold bezel.

In the early 1300s, when the ring was made, diamonds were prized not for their brilliance—faceting techniques were still centuries away—but for their perceived protective powers against illness and poison. They also were typically reserved for royal regalia or ecclesiastical treasures.

“This ring is extraordinarily rare, as in the early 14th century, diamonds were hardly used in jewelry at all, let alone in an intimate object such as a betrothal or love ring,” said Marielle Whiting, a jewelry expert at Woolley & Wallis, in a statement.

woolley wallis ring — *A romantic inscription inside the shank is further evidence that the diamond-set fede piece was “possibly a betrothal ring,” according to the auctioner.*

The ring is fede-style, portraying clasped hands—an ancient symbol of fidelity and betrothal—though only worn remnants of the hands are apparently visible at this point. However, the most poignant detail is the “I am here instead of a lover” engraving, in Lombardic script, inside the shank.

Whiting said the piece “represents one of the earliest and most sophisticated uses of diamonds in personal adornment. When you add the inscription…and the remains of the clasped hands design, it becomes clear that this was intended as an emotional surrogate, a tangible presence standing in for the beloved.”

She added, “The ring is a powerful survival from the medieval world, uniting poetry and symbolism, which, along with the rare addition of a diamond, should attract wide interest.”

(Photos courtesy of Woolley & Wallis)

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