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.
Victorian Natural Red Coral Gold Filled Twist Back Earrings
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Sweet Victorian natural red coral drop earrings with Gold Filled twist backs. The coral is natural red coral, and the earrings dates back to the Victorian Era, 1880's. These...
Coral, Yellow Gold, Gold-filled
Victorian 1.80 Ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Rare Drop Earrings
Located in Napoli, IT
Superb early Victorian, 1850 ca. Beautifully hand crafted exalting the lovely antique Diamond sparkle at best Crafted of solid 15 KT gold topped by silver Set with a fantastic select...
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
Early Victorian Peridot and Gold Parure
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian peridot and gold parure in the Knight pattern, the necklace consisting of three plaques each set with five cushion shape faceted p...
Peridot, Gold, Yellow Gold
Earrings with pearls and rose cut diamonds up to 0.05ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold with silver earrings with freshwater pearls and rose diamonds up to 0.05ct - G/H - SI detailed description: the size of the earrings is 5.1 cm long by 8.3 mm wide ...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
$5,096Sale Price|20% Off
Pear Shaped Emerald Earring With Diamonds Made In 14k Gold & Silver
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
Dangling Diamond & Emerald Earring in Silver & Gold, this earring is truly a royal looking from the big size of diamond on top and dangling pear shape emerald. Closure: Push Post 1...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Silver, 14k Gold
Exceptional Long Victorian Cut Steel Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Rare Victorian Cut Steel Earrings in graduated hoop motifs with fringed edges. Exceptional quality, scale and design in original condition with scr...
Cut Steel
Early Victorian Topaz and Gold Repousse Suite
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian topaz and gold repousse suite, the necklace consisting of nine graduating from the centre oval faceted topazes, set on gold collets ...
Topaz, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 14k Gold Enamel Repousse Earrings
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Fabulous pair of Antique Victorian 14K Gold Enamel Repousse Earrings from circa 1850-1860. These are truly stunning in person, with the glam...
14k Gold, Enamel
Antique Mid 19th Century 14K Gold Dangle Earrings Carnealian
Located in Munich, Bavaria
These yellow gold dangle earrings were created around 1845-1850 out of 14K gold. They are designed in the naturalistic taste so popular in the 1840's and 1850's. The earrings are com...
Gold
French Victorian Coral Earrings and Brooch suite 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
Coral Treasures Beautiful antique Coral treasure to cherish The ageless allure of antique Coral is even more sought after with the time passing by This beautiful French example is pr...
Coral, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s Amethyst Fringe Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Created circa the 1860s, these antique 18K gold Italian fringe pendant earrings are set with amethysts. The flexible pendant earrings in the archaeological style are designed as circ...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Cut Pink Sapphire and Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Pink Sapphire Dangle earrings to make a statement with your look. These earrings create a sparkling, luxurious look featuring oval cut gemstone. If you love to gravitate towards uniq...
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Polychrome Enamel 18K Gold Geometric Pendant Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Created in the 1860s, these long antique pendant earrings are composed of 18K gold, enamel and split seed pearls. Each is designed as a navette-shaped top enclosing a hemisphere, sus...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian style uncut rose cut diamond oxidized 925 silver dangler earrings
Located in Delhi, DL
A Victorian style uncut rose cut diamond silver earrings. This striking handmade antique look diamond earrings with old cut diamonds, Impressive tinted old Uncut diamonds, surrounde...
Diamond, Silver
Hanging gold and silver earrings in Biedermeier style.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Hanging gold-plated earrings in Biedermeier style, Early Victorian era. Made of silver and covered with low-grade gold. Originally preserved earrings dated 1840-1850 - rarely seen....
Gold, Silver
Black Diamond Shaped Vintage German Glass Bead on Gold filled Chain Earrings
Located in Monrovia, CA
Black diamond shaped vintage German glass beads edged with 24K gold on 14K gold-filled chains and ear studs. The vintage German glass beads are considered rare and collectible, circ...
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
14K Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Earrings
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Emerald and diamond earrings in 14k yellow gold settings. The settings are 14k and the posts test 10k gold. The natural emeralds are marquise shape and have a very nice color, 1.00 t...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Peridot , Citrine and Diamond Gold Drop Earrings Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Drop Earrings each set with a Triangular facet cut Peridot suspending a Bar of Diamonds and a round facet cut two Citrine; hand made in 14k white gold; approx. total weight...
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Chrysoprase Boulder Opal Diamond Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind drop earrings of chrysoprase, boulder opals and diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. These vibrant apple green chrysoprase gemstones, designed with ocean hue...
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Go...
Victorian Long Old-Mine Cut Diamond Earrings, circa 1890s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A beautiful pair of Victorian Diamond Earrings from the 1890s, studded with old-mine cushion cut and round od-mine cut diamonds of circa 6 carats. The earrings are long and sleek, a...
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Victorian Gold Filled Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Charming Victorian Gold Filled Dangle Earrings from the late 19th Century. A pair of chased ovals with wreath motifs each have an urn shaped drop hanging fro...
Gold-filled
18 Karat White Gold Indicolite Bicolor Tourmaline Spinel Diamond Drop Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind dangle earrings of indicolite and bicolor tourmalines, spinels and diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat white gold. These are a gorgeous pair of earrings of rare indicolite and bicolor tourmalines, with beautifully colored spinels and diamonds. A true pair of unique statement earrings...
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Spinel, Tourmaline, Indicolite, Gold, 18k Gold,...
GIA Certified 8.64 Carats Total Old Mine Cut Diamond Antique Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
An unique and beautiful pair of drop earrings showcasing 8.64 carats total, old mine cut diamonds certified by GIA as H-J Color and SI2-I1 in Clarity. Hand-crafted and set in an intr...
Diamond, Platinum
14k Gold Earrings with Pear Emeralds and Diamonds
Located in Istanbul, TR
Emerald and diamonds earrings studs. Pear emerald gold studs. Genuine emerald earrings. May birthstone jewelry. Emerald jewelry gift for her. Genuine 1.2 ct emeralds earrings studs. ...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
14K White Gold 3 Stone 0.05ct Diamond Stud Earrings for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Beautiful & Classic Small 3-Stone Studs Earrings! Crafted of 14k Gold with approximately 0.06 ct. of Sparkly Diamonds. Diamond Color and Clarity GH-SI1-SI2. Secured with butterf...
Diamond, White Gold
14K Black 0.05ct Diamond Huggie Earrings for Her
Located in Great neck, NY
Quality Earrings Set: Made from real 14k gold and approximately 0.09 ct. Certified black diamonds, featuring a single line of white diamonds 7MM diameter with a color and clarity of GH-SI. Leaver Back closure. Surprise Your Loved Ones with Our Diamond Earrings For Her...
Diamond
18 Karat Gold Rose Cut Aquamarine and Blue Topaz Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
Rose-cut aquamarine and blue topaz accented drop dangle earrings, handcrafted in 18K yellow gold. These luxurious one-of-a-kind aquamarine earrings are accented with vibrant blue to...
Aquamarine, Multi-gemstone, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Torpedo Floral Silver Earrings
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Fabulous Victorian silver torpedo drop earrings with fabulous 3D floral details. These earrings are magnificent, and very dramatic. These are a dramatic length of 3 1/4 inc...
Silver
Sold
W 0.75 in L 1.58 in
Earrings with sapphire, briljant and single cut diamonds up to 1.64ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold earrings set with sapphire and brilliant and single cut diamonds. 1.64ct - F/G - VS/SI detailed description the size of the earring is 4.0 cm long by 1.9 cm wide w...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Victorian Moonstone Silver Drop Earrings
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Lovely, ultra feminine cabochon moonstone and silver earrings from the Victorian Era. The moonstones are set in a dramatic claw style setting, with tiny seed pearl details i...
Moonstone, Silver
Victorian Natural Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Napoli, IT
Charming pair of Victorian era long drop earrings – Hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold topped by silver Exquisite minute scroll work like an antique trim, fully enhanced by very tiny rose cut Diamonds complemented a trio of antique Pearls set...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Pendants d'oreilles anciens d'origine provençale argent et diamants
Located in PARIS, FR
Pendants d'oreilles anciens d'origine provençale en argent et or rose 18 carats (750 millièmes) début 19ème siècle, ornés de diamants table. Poids total du bijou : 14,84 g environ....
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Victorian Moonstone Silver Drop Earrings
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Lovely, ultra feminine cabochon moonstone and silver earrings from the Victorian Era. The moonstones are set in a dramatic claw style setting, with tiny seed pearl details i...
Moonstone, Silver
Victorian Natural Red Coral 14K Earrings
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Lovely Victorian natural red coral earrings with 14K gold fastening ear wires. The red coral earrings are floral in theme. They are...
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Cut Pink Sapphire and Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Pink Sapphire Dangle earrings to make a statement with your look. These earrings create a sparkling, luxurious look featuring oval cut gemstone. If you love to gravitate towards uniq...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Early Victorian Swiss Enamel Necklace and Earring Set
Located in Narberth, PA
Swiss Enamel pieces were commonly produced to be sold as souvenirs for Victorian travelers. A very fine type of enameling, this technique used very intricate detail and often portrayed scenic Swiss Alps villages with streams, mountains and wonderful homes and churches. The pieces were often set in a hollow frame making them very light and comfortable to wear. It is unusual to see, but real gemstones were sometimes incorporated into a Swiss Enameled design. These rare pieces are very collectable and absolutely beautiful in person. An incredible Swiss Enamel necklace...
14k Gold, Enamel
Pair of Early Victorian Gold and Coral Leaf Drop Earrings
Located in London, GB
A pair of early Victorian gold and coral leaf drop earrings, each earrings with gold foliate and tendril decorations, flanked with two carved coral flowerheads, mounted in gold, circ...
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold
1860 Victorian Enameled Hand Articulated Earrings
Located in Lexington, KY
These are a fantastic pair of 1860s Victorian era earrings. The fringe tassel is completely intact. A gauntleted hand holding a wreath of leaves ...
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Victorian Old Cut Diamond Drop Cluster Earrings Set in Silver on Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful pair of Victorian diamond drop earrings set in silver on gold (18k). Although over 100 years old (estimated to be from the 1880's) the pair are in immaculate condition ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver