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Early Victorian Link Necklaces

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
A Victorian gold and turquoise serpent necklace
Located in London, GB
A Victorian gold and turquoise serpent necklace, the flexible tapering yellow gold body formed of three rows of scale-like collets each set with a ro...
Category

1840s British Antique Early Victorian Link Necklaces

Materials

Turquoise, Gold

Antique 1880 12K Gold Long Chain/Necklace with Tassel Links with Enamel Panel
Located in London, GB
Antique long chain/necklace with tassel ended links featuring an unusual enamelled panel, made in rare 12-carat yellow gold, circa 1880. Beautiful w...
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1880s British Antique Early Victorian Link Necklaces

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Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique 19th Century 14K Gold Necklace German Biedermeier circa 1845
Located in Goettingen, DE
Antique 19th Century 14K Gold Necklace German Biedermeier circa 1845 Magnificent Biedermeier 14K gold necklace. The elaborately designed centerpiece consists of a large, sculptural ...
Category

19th Century German Antique Early Victorian Link Necklaces

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14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Early Victorian Chrysoberyl and Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian chrysoberyl necklace, the thirty-eight graduating chrysoberyls ranging approximate from 5.1 x 6.3mm to 8.7 x 10 mm each set wi...
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Mid-19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Link Necklaces

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Chrysoberyl, Yellow Gold

Breathtaking Georgian Old Mine Cut Diamond Silver and Gold Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This stunning silver and gold necklace is set with 44 sparkling old mine cut diamonds weighing approximately 37.30ct. The color of the diamonds is J-K with VS clarity. The necklace h...
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19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Link Necklaces

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Diamond, Gold, Silver

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