The name “pansy” derives from the French word “pensee” which means “thought.” Ever big on subtlety, the Victorians devised an entire symbolic language of flowers. For example, a Victorian gentleman could express that he was thinking of his love by presenting her with a pansy - and she would understand what that meant! This exquisite and very photogenic Victorian ring features a pansy rendered in pearls with a ruby ovule (note the half-formed layer of nacre on the largest of the pearls). The underside of the head holds a locket which once would have contained plaited hair but is now empty.