Baby Angel Coral Skin Ring
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Drop Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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2010s Turkish Modern Stud Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Silver, White Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 15k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s British Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Topaz, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chandelier Earrings
Sterling Silver
Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Amethyst, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 1870s French Etruscan Revival Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow 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 drop-necklaces for You
Also called Y necklaces as they are designed to hang a certain way, vintage drop necklaces are striking and adaptable. They can enhance everything from a casual sweater-and-jeans combo to an elegant heels-and-evening-dress pairing.
Adornment is an ancient human practice, with archeologists identifying early jewelry made from bones, claws and shells. As technology has advanced, so too have jewelry designs and the design of necklaces, from the simple to the intricate.
Drop necklaces come from lariat-style necklaces, which are chain necklaces that end in a tassel or pendant. A drop necklace’s design, meanwhile, is long with open ends, and it usually does not have a clasp. It consists of a single chain that wraps around the neck and a centerpiece — sometimes featuring a diamond or pearls — that hangs down to the middle of the chest. Drop necklaces frequently come in lengths from 16 to 20 inches, with the vertical lines making them appear longer than other necklaces of the same length.
Drop necklaces are extremely versatile, able to be worn knotted, draped or looped. They can be chunky statement pieces or thin, minimal designs. The range of drop necklaces that can be found on 1stDibs can accentuate the plunging necklines of modern looks or add flair to a basic ensemble.