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Early Victorian Drop Earrings

EARLY VICTORIAN STYLE

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.

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Style: Early Victorian
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...
Category

19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Coral, Yellow Gold, Gold-filled

Victorian Style Garnet Yellow Gold Medallion Drop Earrings
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Rich deep red garnet gemstones accent this tastefully ornate pair of antique style fourteen karat (14k) yellow gold drop earrings. Secured by a decorative post , these medallion shap...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 9ct Gold Pearl Earrings
Located in London, GB
Antique 9ct Gold Earrings Faux Pearl drops & imitation turquoise & faux pearl cabochons set in 9ct gold Stamped "9CT" on each earring behind...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Victorian Diamond Drop Earring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an outstanding pair of diamond drop earrings dating back to the early Victorian period. Each piece has been crafted from 18ct yellow gold into a curvaceous bell shape. C...
Category

19th Century Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

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...
Category

1860s French Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Cut Steel

An Early Victorian Gold Turquoise Floral Suite
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian gold turquoise floral suite, consisting of a necklace, brooch and a pair of earrings, the necklace with three graduated sections of...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Drop Down Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Denver, CO
This antique earring set features thirty-six rose cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.50 carats set in darkened silver over 18kt yellow gold in classic late Georgian/early Victoria...
Category

1840s Unknown Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Repoussé Garnet and 18K Gold Earrings
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Elegant 18 karat gold repoussé scrolling and articulated earrings from early 19th Century. The design reminds me of the lyre harp and set with beautiful faceted garnets. Which have different cut styles - oval, round and teardrop cuts and the gold around the garnets has a mille griffe design. The earrings showcase 18 garnets bezel set in this lovely mille griffe design. These types of earrings were typical of the romantic era of the Georgians and Victorians. During the Grand Tour in 18th century, the lyre is a popular symbol in antique jewelry and refers to music and 'heavenly' love. It was seen as an attribute of Apollo, the god of music, poetry and dance of the Ancient Greeks. The earrings are for pierced ears and the ear hook goes backwards through the ear and closes on top of the earrings. For this type of repoussé earring...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Garnet, Gold, 18k 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...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

14k Gold, Enamel

Demi-parure Victorian brooch-pendant with earrings, Great Britain, 1820s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Early Victorian 14K gold demi-parure in the original case Brooch-pendant with space for a photo or a lock of hair + drop earrings An example of sentimental jewelry in the early 19th ...
Category

1820s British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

14k Gold

Early Victorian Hunt & Roskell 1.82 Carat Diamond Turquoise Gold Jewelry Set
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine early Victorian 18 karat yellow gold, 1.82 carat diamond and turquoise jewelry set (bracelet, brooch and earrings); part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This exceptional antique turquoise jewelry set, consisting of a brooch, bracelet and earrings, is handcrafted in 18k yellow gold, with 9k yellow gold fastenings and settings. The impressive bracelet has a substantial 18k yellow gold interlinked snake style wristband which secures to the reverse with a push fit catch and fine link security chain. The anterior face of the bracelet is ornamented with a circular design incorporating a subtly domed turquoise panel accented with an applied six point 9k yellow gold star embellished with nineteen old cut diamonds, graduating in size, totaling 0.54 Ct. The turquoise is encircled with an applied, interlacing rope twist decorated frame, which is encircled with a fancy rope twist border. The brooch has three components: the body, a detachable circular design and associated articulated drop. The body and detachable component both reflect the dominant star embellished turquoise motif, terminating with an articulated tear drop turquoise accented with a bezel set diamond. The main body of this impressive early Victorian brooch contains a locket to the reverse, suitable to hold a photograph or personal memento. The brooch secures to the reverse with a hinged pin, and incorporates a suspension hook for the detachable drop. The earrings also feature the turquoise and star design displayed within an 18k yellow gold circular articulated drop suspended from a hallmarked screw style fastening, the anterior face of which is ornamented with a turquoise and diamond fitment. These versatile 0.52 Ct diamond earrings may be worn on non-pierced ears. The jewellery set is supplied with an IDGL diamond and gemstone grading report card. This exceptional 1860s turquoise jewelry set is fitted to the original impressive leatherette, shaped presentation case which has a velvet and satin lined interior. The maker's/retailer's mark Hunt & Roskell, late Orr & Mortimer, Jewellers and Goldsmiths to The Queen* reflects the fine quality of the set. *NOTE Hunt & Roskell (1843 – 1897) Jewelers and Goldsmiths to Queen Victoria, were, and still are recognized as one of the richest and best known silversmithing concerns of the Victorian era. Condition The pieces of this exceptional Early Victorian turquoise jewelry...
Category

1860s British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

A Micro Mosaic Pendant and Earring Suite
Located in London, GB
An early nineteenth century Italian micro mosaic pendant and earring suite, to the centre a swimming duck surrounded by red, blue and white micro ...
Category

1840s Italian Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Carved Bone Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
These antique carved bone drop earrings are a rare find— I've never seen a pair quite like these. What makes them special is the intricacy of the h...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Gold-filled

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15 Karat Gold Drop Earrings, circa 1880
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1880s British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

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Emerald and Seed Pearl Teardrop Earrings, circa 1860
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