Early Victorian Necklaces
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.
2010s Indian Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, E...
Mid-19th Century French Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold
18th Century Unknown Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Early Victorian Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 1800s European Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Indian Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
1880s British Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1870s Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Agate, 15k Gold, Gold, Enamel
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Early Victorian Necklaces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver, Enamel
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Early Victorian Necklaces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s French Early Victorian Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Brass
1880s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Silver
2010s Indian Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s French Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
1840s European Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Early Victorian Necklaces
Emerald, Zircon, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century Australian Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Rose Gold
2010s European Early Victorian Necklaces
2010s Zambian Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s Dutch Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
18th Century Unknown Antique Early Victorian Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
