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.
Victorian Paste Floral Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Victorian Paste Floral Brooch from the 19th Century. 3 dimensional flower head is set in a spray of leaves and buds which are all set with pastes. 19th Century French silver...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Victorian Emerald Rose Cut Diamond Bracelet
Located in Firenze, FI
spectacular antique bracelet and ring cast in 14 karat gold and silver ,this set has approximately 8.00 carat emerald , 6.00 carat rose-cut diamond .
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Italian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Multi Color Enamel Bar Anklet Bracelet 2.7 Grams
Located in New York, NY
Italian made, this 14 karat yellow gold anklet bracelet features multi-color enamel bars weighing 2.7 grams. Available in other colors & shapes. More Anklets in Stock Message fo...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Heavy anklet bracelet chain 18KY gold natural aquamarine and diamond
Located in Jupiter, FL
Very heavy anklet bracelet chain in 18KT yellow gold, made with aquamarine and diamond totaling almost 13 grams. Stunning piece! WHAT YOU GET AT STAMPAR JEWELERS: Stampar Jewelers, ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Mother-of Pearl Butterfly Anklet Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Station Mother of Pearl Butterfly Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful Rope Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are loo...
Yellow Gold
$396 / item
14K Yellow Gold Figaro Link Anklet for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Figaro Chain Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful Rope Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are looking to gift your spouse, girlfriend, kid, or mother on a special occasion like Christmas, birthday, engagement or anniversary then look no further! Timeless and unique anklet: for the modern woman who lets her personal style shine through, this anklet is delicate and chic on her ankle, they are the perfect accessory as they are suitable for any occasion! Ease Of Mind and With Full Confidence: Your satisfaction is our only priority so in the improbable case that you are not 100% thrilled with our gold anklet, we will offer you a full refund, No questions asked! This is a stylish 14k Yellow Gold Figaro Link...
Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Clover Anklet, Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Quality Gold Anklet: Made from real 14k gold featuring dangle clover design charms - Made in Italy Surprise Your Loved Ones with Our Gold Anklet For Her: ...
Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Star Anklet Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Double Strand Station Star Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful Rope Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are looking to gift your spouse, girlfriend, kid, or mother on a special occasion like Christmas, birthday, engagement or anniversary then look no further! Timeless and unique anklet: for the modern woman who lets her personal style shine through, this anklet is delicate and chic on her ankle, they are the perfect accessory as they are suitable for any occasion! Ease Of Mind and With Full Confidence: Your satisfaction is our only priority so in the improbable case that you are not 100% thrilled with our gold anklet, we will offer you a full refund, No questions asked! This is a stylish 14k Yellow Gold Star...
Yellow Gold
$7,500Sale Price|25% Off
H 1.5 in D 0.5 in L 15 in
Emerald Ruby Pearl Diamond Gold Necklace Earring and Bracelet Suite
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Stunning suite custom made for a gala. The necklace is a collar so at the top the length is 13" and at the bottom edge 15". The large cabochon emerald (1" approximate diameter) i...
Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold
Antique Guilloche Enamel Portrait Brooch with Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Depicting the elegance and grace of a fine lady of the late 1800, this romantic French antique portrait brooch is skillfully hand painted and c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$4,950
W 1.23 in L 2.09 in
Antique 18th Century Georgian Rose Cut Diamond 14K Rose Gold Trilobed Cross
Located in New York, NY
Fine elegant late 18th century Georgian rose cut diamond 14K rose gold trilobed cross. Hand cut, natural diamonds of irregular shapes, approximately 2.2 TCW The Trilobed cross, som...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Rose Cut Diamond Lizard Salamander Chameleon Brooch Pin Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is a wonderful antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Lizard, Salamander, Chameleon Brooch Pin set throughout with Rose Cut Diamonds in a gorgeous thre...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Silver
Mauboussin Semi-Rigid Bracelet in 18 Kt Yellow Gold and Diamonds
By Mauboussin
Located in Paris, FR
MAUBOUSSIN Semi-rigid Bracelet in 18 kt yellow Gold and Diamonds Semi-rigid MAUBOUSSIN Bracelet in quilted 18 kt yellow Gold set with Diamonds for approximately 2 carats, inner steel...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Open Flower Anklet Adjustable for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Station Clover Bar Anklet: This Simple & Beautiful station clover Chain anklet is measured 9-10" Inches in length with a spring ring closure. Gift Box included: If you are looking ...
Yellow Gold
Victorian Tri Color Gold Floral Bar Pin
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Tri Color Gold Floral Bar Pin from the 19th Century. Lovely 14k gold brooch with etched flower petals and leaves in green, yellow and red gold detailing. Garnet centered fl...
Garnet, 14k Gold
Victorian Enamel Emerald Gold Drippy Earrings
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely gorgeous pair of drippy emerald earrings from the Victorian (ca1880) period! Made of 18kt yellow gold (indicating English origin), these incredible earrings are particu...
Emerald, 18k Gold