7 I Sil
Recent Sales
20th Century British Victorian Band Rings
Marcasite, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold, 9k Gold
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 band-rings for You
If you’re shopping for antique and vintage band rings, you likely know that this particular kind of ring is among the most versatile in jewelry.
You don’t need a special occasion to dazzle friends with a flashy sapphire band ring or to make a statement with a wide band ring — this accessory knows no boundaries, and many different iterations have materialized over the years. Whether you’re seeking an unadorned modern sterling-silver band ring for everyday wear or dual gold wedding bands for the big day, there are lots of options waiting for you.
On 1stDibs, there are enduring antique wedding bands to be found dating from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Jewelers who were active during the reign of Queen Victoria — specifically, the Romantic period — designed rings with large colorful gemstones and decorative motifs, while the jewelry of the latter era was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron. Matching wedding bands, which may reduce the stress of wedding-band shopping if you prefer a traditional route, afford you and your partner the chance to have the engagement ring and wedding bands in the same metal and design.
And because band rings aren’t necessarily relegated to black-tie events, they’ve come a long way, design-wise. David Yurman’s band rings, for example, are well known for their integration of mixed metals, and the celebrated jewelry designer’s powerful silver and gold bracelets, rings, pendants and earrings frequently express his iconic industrial-cable motif.
A simple and chic band ring goes with anything, from the evening gown you’ve chosen for a weekend gala to the jeans and vintage tee you’ve thrown on for a casual lunch with colleagues. Browse a distinctive collection of contemporary and vintage diamond band rings, gold band rings and other accessories on 1stDibs today.
- What is the 7 branch menorah?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The seven branch menorah is a candelabrum that features seven arms and represents Judaism. The design for the menorah is described in the Hebrew Bible as God gave the design to Moses. On 1stDibs, find a collection of seven-branch menorahs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The seven principles of ikebana are: silence, minimalism, shape, form, humanity, aesthetics and structure. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. Some people call it kado, which means "the way of the flower." On 1stDibs, shop a range of ikebana vases on 1stDibs.
- What ring size is 7?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A size 7 ring is 17.3mm in diameter. In inches, a size 7 ring is 0.682 inches. Shop a wide variety of antique, new and vintage rings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The seven different forms of art include painting, architecture, sculpture, literature, music, performing and cinema.
- How big is a size 7 ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A size 7 ring is equivalent to a diameter of 17.3 millimeters, or 0.682 inches This size is a common ring size for women.
- What is a 7 carat diamond worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A 7-carat diamond can cost anywhere between $12,000 and $185,000 depending on the quality of the stone. The fewer imperfections, the more expensive the diamond. Some 7-carat diamonds can cost more than $400,000.
- What does 7 jewels watch mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term “seven-jewel watch” means one that has seven pivots. This means that there are seven bearings on the wheel train that powers the movement of a mechanical watch. Pivots usually have natural or synthetic ruby gemstone insets, which is where the term jewel comes from. You'll find a collection of mechanical watches on 1stDibs.
- How big is a 5 x 7 rug?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021In the U.S., rugs are typically measured in feet, so a 5 x 7 rug would be five feet by seven feet. In other countries, rugs will be measured in the country's respective unit of measurement. Most countries use meters rather than feet.
- How many MM is a size 7 ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A size 7 ring is 17.3 millimeters (mm). You can shop a variety of size 7 rings on 1stDibs.com.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A 7-carat diamond can cost anywhere between $12,000 and $185,000 depending on the quality of the stone. The fewer imperfections, the more expensive the diamond. Some 7-carat diamonds can cost more than $400,000.
Read More
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
How to Buy a Vintage or Antique Engagement Ring
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.