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Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Movement Gold-Filled Bracelet Charm or Watch Fob
Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Movement Gold-Filled Bracelet Charm or Watch Fob

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Movement Gold-Filled Bracelet Charm or Watch Fob

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique gold-filled Aesthetic Movement charm. With a gold-filled cube shaped body. Having applied wirework and granulation throughout. With a bezel-set ruby colored glass c...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Charm Bracelets

Materials

Gold-filled

Antique Victorian Gold Plated Fleur-de-Lis Bracelet Charm or Watch Fob
Antique Victorian Gold Plated Fleur-de-Lis Bracelet Charm or Watch Fob

Antique Victorian Gold Plated Fleur-de-Lis Bracelet Charm or Watch Fob

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique Victorian charm. With a gold plated body. In the form of a sphere with 3 applied Fleur-de-Lis devices. With an integral bail to the top. Simply a wonderful antique...

Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Charm Bracelets

Materials

Gold Plate

Antique 18ct Gold Pocket Watch Key Pendant: Victorian Ruby Set Engraved Fob
Antique 18ct Gold Pocket Watch Key Pendant: Victorian Ruby Set Engraved Fob

Antique 18ct Gold Pocket Watch Key Pendant: Victorian Ruby Set Engraved Fob

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Watch Key 18ct Gold Circa 1900 Discover the elegance of this exquisite Victorian pocket watch key, crafted from 18ct yellow gold.

Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled Floral Watch Fob/Charm with Enamel
Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled Floral Watch Fob/Charm with Enamel

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled Floral Watch Fob/Charm with Enamel

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique gold-filled Aesthetic Movement charm. With a gold-filled body in a cube shape. The circular sides alternate between enameled pink flowers and engraved stylized flora...

Category

20th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold-filled, Enamel

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled Watch Fob / Charm with Glass Cabochons
Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled Watch Fob / Charm with Glass Cabochons

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled Watch Fob / Charm with Glass Cabochons

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique gold-filled Aesthetic Movement charm. With a two-tone gold-filled body in a rectangular shape, intricate applied wirework and geometric designs throughout, a red past...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Charm Bracelets

Materials

Gold-filled

Victorian 14K Gold Watch Chain with Rose Cut Diamond Fob, Circa 1870s
Victorian 14K Gold Watch Chain with Rose Cut Diamond Fob, Circa 1870s

Victorian 14K Gold Watch Chain with Rose Cut Diamond Fob, Circa 1870s

Located in Wallkill, NY

14K Gold Victorian Watch Chain. Chain Measuring 6 in. long with a Gold Knot that has a center rose cut diamond.

Category

Antique 1870s Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18ct Gold Victorian Engraved Pocket Watch Key Pendant with Amethyst Coloured Fob
18ct Gold Victorian Engraved Pocket Watch Key Pendant with Amethyst Coloured Fob

18ct Gold Victorian Engraved Pocket Watch Key Pendant with Amethyst Coloured Fob

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Watch Key 18ct Gold Circa 1880 * THE GOLD CHAIN IS SOLD SEPARATELY Discover the elegance of this exquisite Victorian pocket watch key, crafted from 18ct yellow gold.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 18K Rose Gold Enamel Pocket Watch Key, Mid-19th Century
Antique Victorian 18K Rose Gold Enamel Pocket Watch Key, Mid-19th Century

Antique Victorian 18K Rose Gold Enamel Pocket Watch Key, Mid-19th Century

Located in Rotterdam, NL

This exceptional pocket watch key is a fine example of 19th-century horological artistry and the luxurious accessories that accompanied the gentleman’s watch. Beautifully executed in...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel

c. 1880 Victorian 14K Gold-Filled Watch Chain Choker with Rock Crystal Locket
c. 1880 Victorian 14K Gold-Filled Watch Chain Choker with Rock Crystal Locket

c. 1880 Victorian 14K Gold-Filled Watch Chain Choker with Rock Crystal Locket

Located in Honolulu, HI

An extraordinary antique Victorian assemblage choker necklace, artfully pairing an authentic 14K gold-filled pocket watch chain with a luminous rock crystal locket.

Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Rock Crystal, Gold-filled

Yellow Gold Bloodstone Victorian Watch Fob Pendant - 14k Oval Antique
Yellow Gold Bloodstone Victorian Watch Fob Pendant - 14k Oval Antique

Yellow Gold Bloodstone Victorian Watch Fob Pendant - 14k Oval Antique

Located in Greensboro, NC

Design: watch fob, makes great pendant Era: Victorian Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Bloodstone Cut: Oval Style: Watch Fob Measurements Tall (from st...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Gold Black Jet Pocket Watch Chain Fob
14 Karat Gold Black Jet Pocket Watch Chain Fob

14 Karat Gold Black Jet Pocket Watch Chain Fob

Located in Wallkill, NY

1880's to 1890's Jet Watch Chain Fob. Lovely piece in lovely condition. 16.08 mm in diameter on Ball, 16.28 mm long on Black Links. 124.85 mm or 4.91 in long. This is out of our mass...

Category

Antique 1890s Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

14k Gold

Ladies 14KT Bi-Color Gold Mesh Pocket Watch Chain or Necklace, Victorian 19th c
Ladies 14KT Bi-Color Gold Mesh Pocket Watch Chain or Necklace, Victorian 19th c

Ladies 14KT Bi-Color Gold Mesh Pocket Watch Chain or Necklace, Victorian 19th c

Located in valatie, NY

An Extremely Fine Ladies 14KT Bi-Color Gold Mesh Pocket Watch Chain or Lariat Necklace, 19th c Victorian.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1890 Victorian 10k Rose Gold Seed Pearl and Diamond Heart Pin Watch Holder
1890 Victorian 10k Rose Gold Seed Pearl and Diamond Heart Pin Watch Holder

1890 Victorian 10k Rose Gold Seed Pearl and Diamond Heart Pin Watch Holder

Located in Lexington, KY

This is a gorgeous Victorian pin pendant in 10k rose gold featuring a stunning selection of seed pearls completed by a gorgeous diamond accent.

Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, Rose Gold

c. 1870s Victorian Pocket Watch Key Fob Pendant with Chalcedony
c. 1870s Victorian Pocket Watch Key Fob Pendant with Chalcedony

c. 1870s Victorian Pocket Watch Key Fob Pendant with Chalcedony

Located in Honolulu, HI

An authentic Victorian era pocket watch key fob pendant, sourced from an antique collection in Stockholm, Sweden. Circa 1860s to 1880s, this piece features a smooth, translucent nat...

Category

Antique 1870s Swedish Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Chalcedony, Gold Plate

Victorian Gold Filled Reversible Banded Mottled Agate Octagon Watch Fob Pendant
Victorian Gold Filled Reversible Banded Mottled Agate Octagon Watch Fob Pendant

Victorian Gold Filled Reversible Banded Mottled Agate Octagon Watch Fob Pendant

Located in Montclair, NJ

--Stone(s):-- (2) Natural Genuine Agate - Octagon Cut - Bezel Set - 1 Banded Brown Orange & White & 1 Mottled Brown w/ Black- 17.4x18mm each (approx.) Material: Gold Filled Weight: ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Gold

Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold Oval Agate Watch Fob Seal Charm
Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold Oval Agate Watch Fob Seal Charm

Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold Oval Agate Watch Fob Seal Charm

Located in Montclair, NJ

–Stone(s)– (2) Natural Genuine Agate - Oval Cut - Bezel Set - Grey Blue Color - 10.8x7.8mm (approx.) Material: 14k Yellow Gold Weight: 4.12 Grams Overall Height: 33mm (1.29") (includ...

Category

20th Century Charm Bracelets

Materials

Agate, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Pocket Watch Key Pendant: Victorian Ruby Set Engraved Fob
Antique 18ct Gold Pocket Watch Key Pendant: Victorian Ruby Set Engraved Fob

Antique 18ct Gold Pocket Watch Key Pendant: Victorian Ruby Set Engraved Fob

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Watch Key 18ct Gold Circa 1900 * The gold chain is sold separately Discover the elegance of this exquisite Victorian pocket watch key, crafted from 18ct yellow gold.

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled & Enamel Watch Fob / Charm with Enamel
Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled & Enamel Watch Fob / Charm with Enamel

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Gold-Filled & Enamel Watch Fob / Charm with Enamel

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique gold-filled Aesthetic Movement charm. With a gold-filled spherical body. Having a ring of applied flower devices with white enameled petals around the circumference....

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Charm Bracelets

Materials

Gold-filled, Enamel

Yellow Gold Victorian Fancy Figaro Watch Chain/Necklace 16 1/2" - 14k Antique
Yellow Gold Victorian Fancy Figaro Watch Chain/Necklace 16 1/2" - 14k Antique

Yellow Gold Victorian Fancy Figaro Watch Chain/Necklace 16 1/2" - 14k Antique

Located in Greensboro, NC

Era: Victorian Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Chain Style: Fancy Figaro Necklace Style: Chain Fastening Type: Lobster Claw Clasp Measurements Length: 16 1/2" Width: 9/32" (6.5mm)...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Scottish Banded Agate T-Bar Watch Chain Conversion Necklace Circa 1880
Victorian Scottish Banded Agate T-Bar Watch Chain Conversion Necklace Circa 1880

Victorian Scottish Banded Agate T-Bar Watch Chain Conversion Necklace Circa 1880

Located in Honolulu, HI

A beautiful piece of history repurposed for contemporary wear. This necklace features an original late 19th-century Victorian British watch fob assembly, showcasing a magnificent, hi...

Category

Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Gold Plate

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Movement Gold-Filled Love Knot Watch Fob or Charm
Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Movement Gold-Filled Love Knot Watch Fob or Charm

Antique Victorian / Aesthetic Movement Gold-Filled Love Knot Watch Fob or Charm

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique gold-filled Aesthetic Movement charm. With a gold-filled body. In the form of a love knot. The center of each side with a 6-point star device with a prong-set ruby c...

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Aesthetic Movement Charm Bracelets

Materials

Gold-filled

Antique French Watch Chain 18k Yellow Gold
Antique French Watch Chain 18k Yellow Gold

Antique French Watch Chain 18k Yellow Gold

Located in Mārupe, LV

Antique French Watch Chain Rare 18-carat yellow gold (750/1000). An elegant antique piece featuring hand-crafted oval geometric links, characteristic of refined 19th-century French w...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique Gold  Filled Carnelian Bird Watch Fob Pendant
Antique Gold  Filled Carnelian Bird Watch Fob Pendant

Antique Gold Filled Carnelian Bird Watch Fob Pendant

Located in Monroe Township, NJ

This charming Victorian watch fob pendant combines fine craftsmanship with a unique design.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Carnelian, Gold-filled

Vacheron Constantin 18K Gold Enamel Chatelaine Pocket Watch and Brooch
Vacheron Constantin 18K Gold Enamel Chatelaine Pocket Watch and Brooch

Vacheron Constantin 18K Gold Enamel Chatelaine Pocket Watch and Brooch

By Vacheron Constantin

Located in Miami, FL

Product Specifications: Item Type: Chatelaine Pocket Watch Brand: Vacheron Constantin Metal: 18K Yellow Gold (tested) Case Size: 33.25mm Chain Length: 6 inches total Total Weight: 61...

Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique Gold Galloping Horse Motif Pocket Watch Chain, 19th Century
Antique Gold Galloping Horse Motif Pocket Watch Chain, 19th Century

Antique Gold Galloping Horse Motif Pocket Watch Chain, 19th Century

Located in Rotterdam, NL

This rare and luxurious 19th-century pocket watch chain is an outstanding example of equestrian-inspired jewelry from the Victorian era.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Waltham Solid 14K Multicolor Gold Bird Hunter Case Pocket Watch And Chain
Waltham Solid 14K Multicolor Gold Bird Hunter Case Pocket Watch And Chain

Waltham Solid 14K Multicolor Gold Bird Hunter Case Pocket Watch And Chain

Located in Norwood, NJ

A 15-jewel Waltham movement provides quality mechanical timekeeping, reflecting the company's reputation as one of America's foremost watch manufacturers. Retaining its period watch ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Gold

19th Century Antique Gold Pocket Watch Chain with Ornate Hook and Split
19th Century Antique Gold Pocket Watch Chain with Ornate Hook and Split

19th Century Antique Gold Pocket Watch Chain with Ornate Hook and Split

Located in Rotterdam, NL

A distinguished mid to late 19th century pocket watch chain, crafted in warm gold (575/1000) and exemplary of the refined craftsmanship associated with the Victorian period.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century High Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Rare Antique 18kt Gold Blood Stone Fox Watch Fob , Figural Charm Pendant
Rare Antique 18kt Gold Blood Stone Fox Watch Fob , Figural Charm Pendant

Rare Antique 18kt Gold Blood Stone Fox Watch Fob , Figural Charm Pendant

Located in Monroe Township, NJ

A truly remarkable and one-of-a-kind piece, this Victorian watch fob pendant is crafted in 18kt solid gold and showcases exquisite 3D artistry.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold

18K French solid gold watch chain - unique Antique Necklace - 14.96 Inch
18K French solid gold watch chain - unique Antique Necklace - 14.96 Inch

18K French solid gold watch chain - unique Antique Necklace - 14.96 Inch

Located in Antwerp, BE

For sale is this wonderful 18 K yellow gold Albert necklace. It consists of spacial, fancy looking Lozenge links an antique dog clip and a lovely bolt ring. The necklace is hallmarke...

Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Deco 18kt Yellow Gold and Black Enamel Decorated Pocket Watch Chain
Antique Art Deco 18kt Yellow Gold and Black Enamel Decorated Pocket Watch Chain

Antique Art Deco 18kt Yellow Gold and Black Enamel Decorated Pocket Watch Chain

Located in valatie, NY

Antique Art Deco 18kt Yellow Gold and Black Enamel Decorated Pocket Watch Chain c1920. This totally original watch chain has 18 solid gold bars each intricately decorated with enamel...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K solid gold Pocket watch chain - Antique Necklace - Choker Sautoir 15.35 Inch
18K solid gold Pocket watch chain - Antique Necklace - Choker Sautoir 15.35 Inch

18K solid gold Pocket watch chain - Antique Necklace - Choker Sautoir 15.35 Inch

Located in Antwerp, BE

For sale is this wonderful 18 K yellow gold Albert necklace. It consists of spacial, fancy looking Lozenge links an antique bolt ring. The necklace is hallmarked with French weevils,...

Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Guilloche Ruby Enamel, Diamond and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lapel Watch
Antique Guilloche Ruby Enamel, Diamond and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lapel Watch

Antique Guilloche Ruby Enamel, Diamond and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lapel Watch

Located in New York, NY

This elegant antique lapel was realized in France, circa 1860. It features a circular pendant composed of 18kt yellow gold with crescent moon and star inlaid in starburst guilloche r...

Category

Antique 1860s French Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

English Double Albert 42g Gold Watch Chain Necklace E.W&S T-Bar Sydenham Bros.
English Double Albert 42g Gold Watch Chain Necklace E.W&S T-Bar Sydenham Bros.

English Double Albert 42g Gold Watch Chain Necklace E.W&S T-Bar Sydenham Bros.

Located in New York, NY

Victorian English Antique 9ct Rose Gold Double Albert Watch Chain – 42 Grams – Fully Hallmarked – Edward W.

Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Beautiful Antique Loving Cherubs Gold Metal Pocket Watch Holder or Porte Montre
Beautiful Antique Loving Cherubs Gold Metal Pocket Watch Holder or Porte Montre

Beautiful Antique Loving Cherubs Gold Metal Pocket Watch Holder or Porte Montre

Located in Tustin, CA

Beautifully handcrafted antique display stand or porte montre from which to hang a pocket watch features an ornate, baroque scrolling motif antique gold finish metal frame with a pai...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

Brass

19th Century 9k Watch Fob With Amethyst Glass Seal
19th Century 9k Watch Fob With Amethyst Glass Seal

19th Century 9k Watch Fob With Amethyst Glass Seal

Located in South Paris, ME

Wonderful watch fob seal with a thistle carved into it's glass face. Possibly Scottish.Very fine craftsmanship with a heavy feel. 9k gold.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Gold

Antique 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Chain With Pink and Blue Sapphire Accents
Antique 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Chain With Pink and Blue Sapphire Accents

Antique 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Chain With Pink and Blue Sapphire Accents

Located in New York, NY

A striking and elegant chain necklace. This piece features a series of vibrant blue and pink sapphires, each bezel set along the length of the chain. The chain is crafted from a warm...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

French gilt bronze fob watch holder
French gilt bronze fob watch holder

French gilt bronze fob watch holder

Located in London, GB

French gilt bronze fob watch holder with an eagle and her wings spread apart about to take off from a corinthium column on a square marble base with bronze feet, indistinctly signed ...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Hamilton 21 Jewel Railway Special Pocket Watch
Antique Hamilton 21 Jewel Railway Special Pocket Watch

Antique Hamilton 21 Jewel Railway Special Pocket Watch

By Hamilton

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique pocket watch was made by the well known Hamilton watch company of the United States in approximately 1920. The watch is in good working order with a white porcelain face...

Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Antique Gemstone Watch Key Fob Curb Chain Charm Bracelet
Antique Gemstone Watch Key Fob Curb Chain Charm Bracelet

Antique Gemstone Watch Key Fob Curb Chain Charm Bracelet

Located in Rotterdam, NL

An exquisite antique Victorian 9ct gold curb chain bracelet from the 19th century featuring nine unique fobs, five of which are in the form of watch keys.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Charm Bracelets

Materials

Agate, Carnelian, Multi-gemstone, 9k Gold

C. 1900 Masonic Royal Arch Keystone Watch Fob Pendant in White Chalcedony
C. 1900 Masonic Royal Arch Keystone Watch Fob Pendant in White Chalcedony

C. 1900 Masonic Royal Arch Keystone Watch Fob Pendant in White Chalcedony

Located in Honolulu, HI

Fitted with its original ornate gold-filled mechanical swivel bail at the top, this piece was originally designed to hang from a Victorian or Edwardian gentleman's pocket watch chain.

Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Chalcedony, Gold Plate

Antique Franz Bergman Vienna Cold Painted Bronze Cobra Snake Statue Watch Holder
Antique Franz Bergman Vienna Cold Painted Bronze Cobra Snake Statue Watch Holder

Antique Franz Bergman Vienna Cold Painted Bronze Cobra Snake Statue Watch Holder

By Franz Bergmann

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Circa 1900 Austrian Vienna cold paint bronze Statue / Watch holder by the wonder that is Franz Bergman. Fully stamped to ...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Late Victorian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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Victorian Gold Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact victorian gold watch you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 891 vintage editions and 6 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a victorian gold watch may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. Creating a victorian gold watch has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Elgin, Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. are consistently popular. A victorian gold watch of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring Diamond, from our inventory of 192, is particularly popular. See these pages for a rose cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also round cut cut and cabochon cut versions available here, too. Most of our victorian gold watch for sale are for women, but there are 518 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Victorian Gold Watch?

On average, a victorian gold watch at 1stDibs sells for $1,852, while they’re typically $75 on the low end and $300,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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. 

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.