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.
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century French Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Dutch Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century British Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Victorian Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Carnelian, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
1880s Dutch Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Jewelry
Gold-filled
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century Italian Antique Victorian Jewelry
Quartz, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Victorian Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold
1870s European Antique Victorian Jewelry
Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold
1880s American Antique Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century European Antique Victorian Jewelry
Garnet, 9k Gold
1880s Dutch Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Jewelry
10k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Victorian Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Asian Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Sterling Silver
1880s British Antique Victorian Jewelry
18k Gold
1860s English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Victorian Jewelry
Sapphire, Pearl, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1890s European Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
1880s Italian Antique Victorian Jewelry
Coral, Gilt Metal
2010s Indian Victorian Jewelry
Black Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century British Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
Late 19th Century European Antique Victorian Jewelry
Gold, 9k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1850s European Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Late 19th Century French Antique Victorian Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
1830s Spanish Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Gold, 15k Gold
1890s Italian Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Antique Victorian Jewelry
1880s British Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Antique Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1890s British Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, 15k Gold
1880s Dutch Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century English Antique Victorian Jewelry
Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Jewelry
Amazonite, Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Dutch Antique Victorian Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1830s Spanish Antique Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
J.E. Caldwell & Co. jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs
1stDibs offers a range of J.E. Caldwell's jewelry and watches. Each of these unique items has been designed with extraordinary care, often using yellow gold. This collection includes 1 pieces as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by and . Prices for J.E. Caldwell & Co. jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $600 and tops out at $600, while pieces like these can sell for $600 on average.
Read More
This Victorian Necklace Features a Rainbow of Gems
If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Why Victorian Snake Jewelry Is Anything but Scary
Representing everlasting love, serpentine often appear on fashionable gems from the era on Queen Victoria.
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.