Victorian Hidden Compartment Ring
Antique 1840s English Victorian More Rings
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s European Victorian Fashion Rings
18k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Mixed Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Brass
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Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Engagement Rings
Gold, Enamel
Antique 18th Century Italian Victorian More Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Decorative Boxes
Silver
Antique 16th Century British Renaissance More Rings
Rock Crystal, 22k Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 2000s Italian Wedding Dresses
Vintage 1920s British Victorian Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Early 17th Century English Renaissance Solitaire Rings
Garnet, 22k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 1760s English Georgian Band Rings
Crystal, Gold, Enamel, 15k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
Antique 1880s Victorian Solitaire Rings
Spinel, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s French Late Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Silver Plate
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century Victorian Models and Miniatures
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Boxes
Brass
Antique 1850s Unknown Victorian More Rings
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s English Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 1860s English Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 1880s Unknown Late Victorian Clamper Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian More Rings
18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s Swedish Victorian Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings
Garnet, Pearl, White Diamond, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Walnut
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Walnut, Mother-of-Pearl, Velvet
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 1880s American Victorian Fashion Rings
Agate, Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
Onyx, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Signet Rings
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian More Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Jewelry Boxes
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Brass
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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