Serpent Egg
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Turquoise, Moonstone, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Moonstone, Yellow Gold
2010s American Edwardian More Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Antique Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s European Victorian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 16th Century British Renaissance More Rings
Rock Crystal, 22k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Star Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Link Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Victorian Brooches
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s English Victorian Brooches
18k Gold, Silver
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s Early Victorian More Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 22k Gold
Serpent Egg For Sale on 1stDibs
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A Close Look at Victorian Jewelry
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.