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.
Set of 14k gold cufflinks and collar buttons with white enamel, pearl and onyx
Located in The Hague, ZH
Set of 14k yellow gold cuff and collar buttons decorated with white enamel, pearl and onyx detailed description: the front of the cufflink is 1.7 cm by 1.0 cm the front of the col...
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Victorian Figural Sterling Silver Wise Owl Cufflinks
Located in New York, NY
Charming Victorian Wise Owl cufflinks of sterling silver and garnet cabochons eyes. "S" hook shank, original patina. Lovely detailing. Excellent Condition. 1890's USA.
Garnet, Sterling Silver
Betty Cooke Sterling Silver Exotic Wood Mid Century American Modernist Cufflinks
By Betty Cooke
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Mid century ebony cufflinks with sterling silver studs and handmade findings created by Betty Cooke of Baltimore, Maryland. Cufflinks measure 1.25" in length by 3/8" wide. Suitable...
Sterling Silver
Airplane Plane Diamond Yellow Gold Cufflinks
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Wonderful figural 14k yellow gold airplane cufflinks featuring diamond accented wings and lights. They have a whale t-bar closure to make it easy t...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Antique Pearl Mother of Pearl and 14k Yellow Gold Cufflinks
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive pair of antique seed pearl, mother of pearl, and 14 karat yellow gold Tiffany & Co. cufflinks; part of our diverse antique jewellery and estate jewelry collections. These fine and impressive 1920s cufflinks have been crafted in 14k yellow gold. The links have a rounded form, ornamented with a circular mother of pearl panel. Each link is accented to the centre with a single seed pearl. The links secure and articulate to the reverse via a bar link fastening. The cufflinks are hallmarked to the reverse of each link with the Tiffany & Co retailer's mark (Tiffany et Co London). These impressive antique cuffs...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Rhodochrosite Bar Sterling Silver Cufflinks
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, Rhodochrosite prism bar cufflinks mounted in sterling silver. Dimensions: L 0.85 in / 21.81 mm x W 0.19 in / 4.85 mm (each bar). ...
Other, Sterling Silver
Vintage English Star of David Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Cufflinks
Located in Simpsonville, SC
These Vintage English Star of David Enamel Cufflinks are a masterful blend of artistry and tradition, crafted in 18k yellow gold with a stunning round design. The centerpiece is a vi...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$2,450 / set
H 0.87 in W 0.56 in D 0.83 in
Larter & Sons 14k Gold & Black & White Carved Cameo Cufflinks of Roman Soldiers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of signed cameo cufflinks By Larter & Sons of Newark, New Jersey. In 14k gold and set with carved banded black & white agate cameo cabochons of Roman soldiers. ...
Agate, 14k Gold
White Diamond South Sea Pearl 18 Karat Gold Cufflinks Made in Italy
Located in Bussolengo, Verona
Refined and elegant pair of cufflinks made of 18Kt gold. Gold Australian pearls have a very beautiful silky color and are unmarked. Each piece is made of a Australian pearl of about ...
South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger 18k Gold Seed Dumbbell Cufflinks Stud Dress Set
Located in Simpsonville, SC
The Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger 18K Gold Seed Dumbbell Cufflinks and Stud Dress Set is an exquisite example of designer Jean Schlumberger’s distinctive craftsmanship for Tiffany & Co....
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$392Sale Price|20% Off
Bulgari Bvlgari Estate Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver
By Bulgari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bulgari Bvlgari Estate Mens Cufflinks Sterling Silver B2 TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS! FREE SHIPPING DETAILS Material:...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Danish Cuff- links Bent Knudsen Tiger Eye Sterling Silver /19 gr
Located in SE
A pair of modernist sterling silver cuff- links by Bent Knudsen made in 1950s -1960s. These are clearly marked on one side of the bar BENT K 34 and STERLING DENMARK on the other . ...
Tiger's Eye, Silver, Sterling Silver
Rossella Ugolini 24k Yellow Gold Plated Blue Sapphire Eyes Octopus Cufflinks
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini 24k yellow gold-plated octopus cufflinks with sapphire eyes. Handcrafted in Italy. Two handcrafted octopuses in 24k gold-plated sterling silver are depicted with all...
Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold
14K Yellow Gold and Platinum Onyx Cufflinks and Tuxedo Button Set #21400
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Platinum Onyx Cufflinks and Tuxedo Button Set Elegant and refined, this sophisticated formalwear set includes a pair of cufflinks and three matching tuxedo ...
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
W 0.79 in L 0.79 in
Pair of Antique French Cufflinks & Studs with Lys Flower design, 19th C (1850)
Located in OVIEDO, AS
PAIR OF ANTIQUE FRENCH CUFFLINKS & MATCHING STUDS WITH ENGRAVED FLEUR DE LIS MOTIF DESIGN. 19th C (approx. 1850) in 18 Karat yellow and rose Gold. A rare dress set dating from the m...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian Fox Head Cufflinks Set with Diamond
Located in London, England
A pair of Victorian 18ct gold and silver fox's head cufflinks. Each head is pave set with 26 rose cut diamonds and with 2 round fauted ruby eyes. The fox's heads have beautiful intri...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold