Victorian Paste Necklace
Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Choker Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1860s British Victorian Choker Necklaces
Silver, Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Late Victorian Drop Necklaces
Other, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Cultured Pearl, Quartz, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Choker Necklaces
Pinchbeck
Late 20th Century German Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Silver Plate
Antique 1870s English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century European Victorian Choker Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1890s American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s American Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Antique 19th Century Austrian Early Victorian Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Antique 19th Century British Early Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1850s Unknown Victorian More Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1880s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Early 20th Century European Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Vintage 1950s British Drop Necklaces
Rhodium, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Victorian Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Antique 1850s Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
1930s Hats
Antique 1890s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1820s British George III Drop Earrings
Citrine, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Drop Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Belle Époque More Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1750s Unknown Georgian More Necklaces
Topaz, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Drop Necklaces
Garnet
Vintage 1910s British Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Link Necklaces
Crystal, Silver Plate, Brass
Antique 1830s British Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1880s French Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Base Metal
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Link Necklaces
Base Metal
Antique 1860s British Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Link Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Link Necklaces
Base Metal
Antique 1880s British Victorian Link Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Link Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Link Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers
18k Gold
Antique 1830s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 9k Gold
Antique 1860s French Victorian Link Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1860s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian More Necklaces
Silver, Enamel
Antique 1860s Victorian Drop Necklaces
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold
Vintage 1910s More Necklaces
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Antique 1880s British Pendant Necklaces
Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1850s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Other, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Garnet, Moonstone, Zircon, 9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Drop Necklaces
9k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian More Necklaces
10k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s British Victorian Choker Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1880s French Victorian Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Choker Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Necklaces
Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Victorian Paste Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Victorian Paste Necklace?
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.
Finding the Right necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.