Sardonyx Flower
Antique 1870s British Victorian Band Rings
Pearl
Antique 1860s British Early Victorian Chain Bracelets
Pinchbeck
Early 20th Century British Victorian Brooches
Chalcedony, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Gold
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Antique 19th Century European Georgian Drop Earrings
Pinchbeck
2010s Link Necklaces
Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1830s British Victorian More Rings
Garnet, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold
2010s American Dome Rings
Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Wedding Rings
Pearl, Garnet, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings
Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian More Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 15k Gold
1950s American Wedding Dresses
Antique 1880s British Victorian Cluster Rings
Turquoise, Diamond, Gold
Antique 1830s British Georgian More Rings
Crystal, Pearl
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Cluster Rings
Pearl, Ruby, Gold
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Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 15k Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings
9k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian More Rings
Gold
Antique 1850s British Early Victorian More Rings
9k Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings
Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings
Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian Fashion Rings
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Fashion Rings
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
15k 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.
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