Also called Romantic period jewelry, antique early Victorian jewelry and watches were a celebration of the young monarch’s love.
When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. While this may seem a bit simple for our contemporary tastes, the serpent symbolizes eternity, and has become a popular motif in jewelry. The tail in the serpent’s mouth forms an unbroken circle. This dewy-eyed happiness trickled down to the masses and men and women favored jewelry that was sentimental and full of symbolism. Today, antique Victorian jewelry is very coveted and highly collectible.
Romantic period jewelry tends to be feminine and ornate. Flowers, hearts, birds, and bows were just some of the common decorative motifs. These pieces were embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise. It was common to express your devotion with jewelry — REGARD and DEAREST rings were particularly popular. These rings were set with stones that corresponded to each letter: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond.
Most often, the design of the ring was simple, with the stones going across the shank of the ring in a line, but it was not uncommon to see a REGARD ring in a flower formation, with each stone set in the petal of the flower.
Another common early Victorian ring style was two hands clasping a flower or stone. They came in many styles and were made of coral and ivory but also of gold with precious and semiprecious gemstones. These rings, while not exclusively Victorian, are often associated with the time period and symbolized friendship. Lockets enclosed with hair, cameos depicting cupid or a loved one’s face and enamel pieces were also popular.
The early Victorian period corresponded with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Jewelry, no longer made only by hand, became more affordable during the 19th century. The growing middle class also helped increase the demand for it. This was reflected in how women styled their jewelry; they were not afraid to adorn themselves from head to toe with stacking and layering in between. Considering the time period (this was before the California Gold Rush), a lot of pieces in the Romantic period were made using low-karat gold or were gold-plated. Fine gold wire was also employed frequently to add to the design. This is a nice trick to know when determining the date of Victorian jewelry.
Find a range of antique Romantic period brooches, necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Early Victorian Amethyst Bracelet
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian amethyst and diamond bracelet, composed of three flowerhead each set with old cut diamond at the centre and round faceted amethys...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Pinchbeck Sardonyx Flower Bracelet
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Wonderful Antique Pinchbeck saradonyx carved flower bracelet Weight 14.9 g length 17.2cm width 5.8 mm The item comes without the box in the phot...
Pinchbeck
1850 Biedermeier BRACELET GOLD ONE EMERALD TWO PEARLS AUSTRIA
Located in Vienna, AT
GOLDEN BIEDERMEIER (= EARLY VICTORIAN) BRACELET WITH ONE EMERALD AND TWO PEARLS. GOLD ( 14 ct 585) EMERALD & TWO PEARLS ARE ATTACHED TO MIDDLE ...
Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold
Syna Yellow Gold Chakra Link Bracelet
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold 8 inch length with lobster clasp Bracelet can be clasped at any length Also available in various lengths Crafted from 18 karat yellow gold, this brac...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Syna Yellow Gold Cosmic Wide Link Bracelet
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold 7 inch length with box clasp Safety closure Crafted in luxurious 18 karat yellow gold, this 8-inch-long bracelet can be clasped at any desired lengt...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
L 6 in
Antique Victorian Snake Bracelet 18 Karat Gold Blue Enamel Garnet Pearl Old
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian (circa 1880s to 1900s) snake bracelet, crafted in 18k yellow gold. Six seed pearls graduate in size from 1mm to 2mm. Two estimated 0.03 carat garnet adorn the snake eyes. The snake features lifelike scale detail to the bracelet, terminating to the snake head - enameled in blue and set with natural seed pearls and garnet...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Natural Scarab Beetle Bracelet Egyptian Revival Sterling Silver
Located in New York, NY
This is a very rare and wonderful antique Victorian Egyptian Revival Bracelet with 11 Natural Iridescent Green Scarab Beetles set in Sterling Si...
Sterling Silver
Yellow Gold Paper Clip Diamond Bracelet
Located in Great Neck, NY
With this exquisite yellow gold paperclip diamond bracelet , style and glamour are in the spotlight. This 14 karat yellow gold bracelet is m...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$51Sale Price|70% Off
MAWI LONDON faux stone amethyst petalite silver flower chain bracelet
Located in Hong Kong, NT
MAWI LONDON faux stone amethyst petalite silver flower chain bracelet Reference: ANWU/A00300 Brand: Mawi London Material: Metal, Plastic Color: Multicolour...
Antique 9K Yellow Gold Albert Chain Bracelet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique 9 karat yellow gold Albert chain bracelet; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collecti...
Yellow Gold
$580Sale Price|20% Off
W 7.375 in D 1.37 in
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Moonstone Georgian Pinchbeck Clasp Bra
Located in Colleyville, TX
Four strands of hand-linked blue flash moonstone rondelles dotted with every the popular Sleeping Beauty turquoise faceted oval nuggets are the perfect compliment for this antique Georgian Pinchbeck...
Agate, Moonstone, Turquoise, Gold Plate, Pinchbeck
$475 / item
W 0.17 in L 7.5 in
Emerald and Sapphire Stacking Chain Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold Dainty Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Emerald, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,800
W 1.5 in D 1.5 in Dm 2.5 in L 6.5 in
Antique GiltSilverFiligree FauxEmeraldChrysoberylPearl Gold Link&Chain Bracelet
Located in Chicago, IL
Possibly as old as the 1800s or a later Baroque-revival imperceptible reproduction, this antique handcrafted gold gilt-silver vermeil filigree-frame textured-chain link bracelet likely originated in the European region of Austria-Hungary-Germany. We partly base this on its brilliant blue-green glass jewels in the rare trace-mineral saturated color of authentic alkaline Columbian emeralds. Including a decorative box-clasp, the ornate bracelet also features 14 prong-set round white pearls mostly mounted on the open-work filigree and 6 marquise-cut vanadium chrysoberyl...
Emerald, Pearl, Beryl, Chrysoberyl, Zircon, Gold, Gilt Metal, Silver
Antique French Curb Chain Bracelet
Located in London, GB
Here we have an exceptional chain link bracelet. This fine French antique piece has been crafted from a warm 18ct yellow gold with solid fancy curb links. The bracelet weighs an impr...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgian Wide Banded Agate Pinchbeck Bracelet
Located in Stamford, CT
There are times when man can enhance nature as he did when placing naturalbanded agates from various parts of the earth with the golden metal created by Christopher Pinchbeck. Genuin...
Agate, Pinchbeck
1851 Nordic Chain Bracelet Gilt 830 Silver Gold Double 18.5 cm / 13gr
Located in SE
Old bracelet of anchor-type chain with fancy hand-encraved Letter or Flower on the lock and security chain. Swedish hallmarks, Silver, date code V4 / hand-made in 1851. This layer of...
Gold, Silver
Antique Early Victorian Ruby Diamond Gold Snake Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Antique early Victorian 14k gold snake bracelet, featuring heart locket. Snake head and locket decorated with diamonds and rubies. Bracelet is...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Antique silver bracelet with citrine and pearls, circa 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique Victorian bracelet made of 0.900 sterling silver and 5 natural faceted citrines with a total weight of 35ct surrounded by 208 natural pearls. year: around 1900 length: about...
Citrine, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early Victorian Link Bracelet with Heart Locket Closing
Located in New York, NY
Early Victorian Round Link Bracelet with each link being striated &start shaped design terminating with engraved heart shaped locket topped with oval cabochon garnet, On reverse is a...
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold