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 old mine and rose cut diamonds up to 0.40ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold and silver drop earrings set with old mine and rose-cut diamonds totaling 0.40ct - G/H - SI detailed description: the front of the ear stud is 3.9 cm long by 0.5 cm...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique 14kt Gold Enamel Flower Earrings with Garnet, Circa 1880
Located in The Hague, ZH
14 kt gold earrings decorated with enamel set with seed pearls and garnet detailed description size of the earring is approximately 3.0 cm long by 2.0 cm wide earrings are in a fl...
Garnet, Gold, Enamel
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
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
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
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
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 rose cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 10k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
10k yellow gold and silver earrings set with rose-cut diamonds up to 0.50ct - G/H - SI Detailed description: The dimensions of the earring are 3.2 cm long by 1.3 cm wide Total wei...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Silver
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
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
Earrings with Old European and diamonds up to 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
$684 / set
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 earrin...
Gold, 9k 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...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
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
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 ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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...
Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
$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
Antique 18k Gold & Silver Amethyst Pearl Clip-On Earrings, 1880
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k gold with silver ear clips with a central amethyst and entourage of pearls detailed description: the top of the ear clip is 2.3 cm high and 1.9 cm wide weight 13.6 grams set ...
Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
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
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
Antique 19th-century Italian 21kt Gold Cameo "harvest" Earrings.
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
A pair of 19th-century Italian cameo earrings, finely carved from shell and mounted in warm 21-karat gold, depict a classical harvest couple. The man crowned with a sickle and the wo...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$704Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Earrings with rose cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 14k gold 8.4 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold ear clips set with rose-cut diamonds totaling 0.30ct – G/H – SI Detailed description: The dimensions of the ear clip are 1.7 cm long by 1.1 cm wide Total weight 8....
Diamond, 14k 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
Flamenco Fan Earrings, a Zorab Creation
Located in San Diego, CA
Many a Sultan have turned their gaze towards spinning flamenco skirts, yet the most inviting of female dancers held a hand fan for added allure and sexual emphasis. This inspirati...
White Diamond, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Palladium
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...
Gold-filled
Victorian Earrings with pearl 18k gold and silver 8.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k gold and silver clip-on earrings set with pearl and rose diamonds Detailed description: The front of the clip-on earrings has a diameter of 1.7 cm Weight: 8.3 grams Set with:...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
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
$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
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
Victorian Earrings with rose cut diamonds up to 0.10ct 18k gold 2.2 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k rose gold earrings set with rose-cut diamonds totaling 0.10ct – G/H - SI detailed description: The dimensions of the earrings are 1.6 cm long by 4.5 mm wide Weight 2.2 grams ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
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