Victorian Mouse Jewelry
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Silver
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Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
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Diamond, Gold, Silver
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Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Post-War Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
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Rhodium
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Rose Gold, Silver
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Sapphire, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
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Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
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Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
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Silver
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Antique 1840s Swedish Early Victorian Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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Antique 1880s British Victorian Fashion Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches
Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Charm Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Bangles
15k Gold
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Fashion Rings
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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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023To be able to tell if jewelry is Victorian, a buyer can look for certain characteristics that have come to define these pieces, but it may be difficult given that no single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and snake jewels made during the Victorian era came in a vast array of styles. Romantic period jewelry featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise. 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. The best way to tell if jewelry is Victorian is generally to work with an antiques appraiser or otherwise qualified professional in the jewelry industry. Shop a collection of antique Victorian jewelry from some of the world's top jewelers on 1stDibs.
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