Victorian Split Pearl Necklace
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique 1840s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1850s Unknown Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Link Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1870s Russian Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s European Etruscan Revival Link Necklaces
Pearl, Tourmaline
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21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century English Modern Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Edwardian More Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Opal, Quartz, Topaz, Turqu...
Antique 1890s European Victorian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
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Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s French More Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
Antique 1830s German Early Victorian Clamper Bracelets
Garnet
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Gilt Metal
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold
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Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Drop Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Drop Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Early Victorian Link Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 1890s Late Victorian Link Necklaces
Pearl, Tourmaline, 22k Gold
Antique 1850s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Link Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s Victorian Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Drop Earrings
Citrine, Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Coral, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Pearl, Gold
Antique 1890s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gilt Metal
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Diamond, 15k Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 1840s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Brooches
Garnet, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Peridot, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
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.