A late Victorian moonstone and pearl twin heart ring, the ring comprising two interlocking hearts, each set to the centre with a moonstone to a perl border, with gold ribbow surmount, all grain-set to a yellow gold mount and tapered D-section shank, gross weight 7.3 grams, circa 1880 Size 7

The heart motif refers to friendship, devotion and affection, although the most powerful and significant of all hearts in jewelry are the versions that refer to deep, romantic and enduring love. Use of the heart shape to represent love was first reported at the end of the Middle Ages. The symbol gained popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries and became widely used in jewelry design throughout the subsequent centuries.