Victorian Locket On Chain
Antique 1870s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s English Victorian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Chain Bracelets
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s English Victorian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Chain Necklaces
15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
15k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Chain Bracelets
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s European Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Base Metal
Antique 1850s Austrian Early Victorian Chain Bracelets
Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Antique 1880s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Gold-filled
Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold-filled
Early 20th Century German Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1850s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Gold, Enamel, 15k Gold
Antique 1880s English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century French High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1870s Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
Gold-filled
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 15k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Agate, Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 10k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
15k Gold
Antique 1870s English Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s English Victorian More Necklaces
Agate, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 1870s American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1850s English High Victorian Bangles
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Gold
Antique 1870s English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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Victorian Locket On Chain For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Victorian Locket On Chain?
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 necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
- What is a Victorian book chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A Victorian book chain is a piece of jewelry — usually a necklace — that can be found in gold, sterling silver and other materials. Each link in the chain is a rectangle-shaped piece of folded metal that resembles a book. Shop a collection of vintage and modern Victorian book chains from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.