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.
Earrings with rose cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k gold and silver earrings set with rose diamonds, 0.30 ct - M/0 - SI/P Detailed description The top of the earring has a diameter of 1.2 cm Weight: 5.0 grams Set with - 22 x ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Earrings with Old European and single cut diamonds 0.60ct 18k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k gold and silver earrings set with old European cut and single-cut diamonds, 0.60 ct - G/H - SI and J/K - P Detailed description The top of the earring has a diameter of 1.2 cm ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Early Victorian Diamond Cluster Earrings Old Mine Cut
Located in London, GB
A charming pair of Early Victorian diamond cluster earrings, each designed as a flowerhead cluster centred by an old-cut diamond and surrounded by four larger old-cut diamonds, inter...
Diamond
Pair of Victorian Jasmine Petal Diamond Earrings
Located in London, GB
A pair of Victorian jasmine diamond earrings, each in the design of a five-petalled diamond encrusted jasmine head with a central old brilliant-cut diamond, the diamonds estimated to...
Diamond, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
$7,125Sale Price|25% Off
Antique 6 Carats Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Gold Earrings
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique large 14k gold earrings in floral designe with an estimate old mine cut diamond weight of 6 carats H color white excellent spark earrings lenght 2cm ( item located in califor...
$18,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
2 Carat E Color Old European Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Stud Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Two charming Old European Cut diamonds with a total weight of 2 carats have been set into these handcrafted 18 karat yellow gold bezel set mountings. The tops of the bezels have fine...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mark Broumand 1.00 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Stud Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous pair of old mine cut diamond stud earrings are glamorously chic. They showcase 1.00ct diamonds in total and are certif...
$272Sale Price / set|50% Off
W 0.35 in D 0.22 in L 0.46 in
Silvorra Timeless Deep Blue Sapphire Stud with Diamond Petal Cluster Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite 925 sterling silver dangle earrings featuring 18 natural oval blue sapphires (5x3 mm, 2.02 carats total) accented by sparkling 1 mm diamonds (0.15 carats), arranged in a de...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
$704Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Polki Diamond Earrings Natural Diamond Victorian Diamond Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Victorian Polki Diamond Earrings Natural Diamond polki Price listed for pair of Earrings Approx 20 gram Gemstone: Diamond Closure: Push back A P P R O X T I M E All...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
$724Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 0.48 in W 0.48 in
0.30ct Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire Bezel Flower Studs with Diamonds in 14k Gold
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
Minimalist diamond and gemstone flower studs earrings/ floral earrings/ Diamond and gemstone studs earrings/ Gold studs/ Dainty earrings/ Gifts for her Flower earrings, flower studs...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, ...
0.60ct Diamond Bold Icon Stud Earrings in 18ct Gold by Ohliguer, Australia
Located in Brisbane, AU
Bold Icon Studs featuring a striking pair of natural white diamonds, elevated within OHLIGUER'S signature fierce talons. • Pair of 0.30ct natural white diamonds (0.60ct total weight...
Diamond
$500Sale Price|50% Off
H 0.28 in W 0.15 in
18K White Gold 0.60ct Oval Emerald & 0.02ct Diamond Fine Petite Stud Earring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
Lovely green emerald with blue tint and diamond stud earrings for wear during special occasions. The diamonds are bezel set and are bright and dazzling. The earring is designed to b...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
18mm Five Petal Flower Vermeil Earrings
By Bijoux Num
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 18mm Five Petal Flower Vermeil Earrings This stunning pair of earrings features intricate design three dimension five petal flower, adorned with round s...
18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Victorian old mine cut diamond 18k yellow gold earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These Victorian earrings from the 1890’s showcase two old mine cut diamonds totaling approximately 1.00 carats in I color and SI clarity, each highlighted by a smaller old mine cut d...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Cluster Earrings. 3TCW Old Mine Cut Diamond Earrings 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Age: Antique Era: Victorian Era, Circa 1840 Primary Stone: Diamond Primary Stone Weight: Approx. 3-Carats Primary Stone Cut: Old Mine Cut Primary Stone Color: I-J Color Primary Ston...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Single Diamond Stud Earring Mined .16ct Old Mine Cushion Original 1860
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Antique from 1860's Victorian Single Diamond .16ct Old Mine Cushion Stud Earring 14K White Gold Features Genuine Natural Mined .16ct Old Mine Cushion Cut Diamond ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early Victorian 18k Gold Silver Stud Earrings with Diamonds
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k rose gold and silver stud earrings set with old mine-cut diamonds up to 0.70 ct - G/H - SI Detailed description: The front of the stud is 5.1 mm wide Total weight is 1.6 grams...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Sold
H 0.56 in W 0.38 in D 0.53 in
Antique Victorian 14 kt Gold Halo Earrings with 0.74 ct Old-Cut Diamonds
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Timeless and elegant, these antique halo earrings are crafted in 14kt yellow gold and showcase a pair of captivating Bolshevik-cut diamonds at their center. Each diamond, hand-cut in...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Beautiful gold and silver earrings with blue and white sapphires, 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Beautiful gold and silver earrings with blue and white sapphires. Origin: probably Great Britain, late 19th century Earrings made of 9-carat gold with silver elements. The set con...
Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Earring studs with old mine cut diamonds up to 0.70ct 18k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k gold with silver earrings set with old mine cut diamond 0.70ct - G/H - VS/SI detailed description the top of the ear stud has a diameter of 7.8 mm wide the plugs of the ear st...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian 9ct Gold Turquoise Stud Earrings
Located in Portland, England
A beautiful pair of antique Victorian 9ct gold turquoise earrings from the Etruscan revival period. Each earrings features a vibrant turquoise stones set in a form of the flower. Enc...
Turquoise, Gold
Antique Victorian 14k TT Gold 0.55ctw Old Diamond Flower Cluster Stud Earrings
Located in Montclair, NJ
These gorgeous antique stud earrings were crafted during the early Victorian era from solid 14k yellow gold with a white gold top and silver posts. They feature a lovely flower cluster design set with old mine and single cut diamonds throughout. The center diamond is slightly larger in size than those surrounding, and is neatly set with multiple long prongs at the open center, showing amazing sparkle with every movement. It is further surrounded by a lovely halo of diamonds that are set in the flower shaped setting, adding a truly glamorous touch with fiery effects. The earrings are secured with posts and tight butterfly closures and gently sit on the ears offering a comfortable wear. An antique pair of elegantly styled studs that you could easily find yourself wearing everyday! Enjoy :) --Stone(s):-- (24) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine and Single Cut - Multi-Prong & Half Milgrain Bezel-Half Pave Set - VS1 to SI1 Clarity - G to H Color Carat Total Weight: 0.55 (approx.) Material: Solid 14k Yellow & White Gold Top & Backs w/ Solid .925 Silver Posts Weight: 1.60 Grams Backing: Posts w/ Butterfly Closures (Pierced ears are required.) Overall Diameter: 8.3mm (0.32") Thickness: 5.75mm projection off the ear Condition: Antique, early Victorian era earrings...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early Victorian Diamond Coronet Cluster Earrings Set in Silver
Located in London, England
A beautiful pair of Victorian diamond coronet cluster earrings set in silver. Each earring centrally features a beautiful old mine cut diamond set in a step-down silver setting. The...
Diamond, Silver
Pair of Early Victorian Ruby and Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in London, GB
A pair of early Victorian ruby and diamond cluster earrings, each earring set with a central cushion-shaped ruby weighing a total of 2.66 carats for the pair, accompanied by GCS Repo...
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold