The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
Fabergé Antique Bi-Color Gold Cigarette Case, Circa 1896-1908, Russia
By Fabergé
Located in Capri, IT
1896 - 1908 Circa Yellow and Rose Gold Faberge Cigarette Case. Workmaster August Hollming, ST Petersburg with scratched inventory number 5695. ...
19th Century Antique Dutch 14K Gold Filigree Cannteille Headdress Ornaments
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A rare pair of antique Dutch 14K gold forehead needles, crafted in the 19th century in Zuid-Holland by J.P.J. Driessen. These exceptional examples of Dutch regional costume jewelry beautifully illustrate the artistry and cultural identity of traditional Netherlands goldsmithing. In 19th-century Dutch fishing villages, jewelry was more than decoration, it was a visible symbol of social standing. The wives of shipowners and prosperous families wore long lace caps adorned with elaborate gold forehead needles (voorhoofdsnaalden), while fishermen’s wives wore simpler dress without such adornment. Pieces like these signified wealth, pride, and heritage. Each needle is richly decorated with intricate filigree...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique Hardstone Intaglio Necklace 14 Karat Gold Ball Chain
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Five agate intaglios of varying size and age have been mounted in 18 karat gold settings. The settings are connected by golden balls made out of 18karat . They are threaded on a foxt...
Gold, 18k Gold
Exceptional Early Victorian English Sterling Silver Inkstand by Henry Wilkinson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare Early Victorian sterling silver inkstand or standish by Henry Wilkinson. Retaining its original bottles, lids, taper stick, snuffer and a quill or wafer compartment. The body...
Sterling Silver
Antique 18K Gold Knitting Needle Caps with Floral Motifs, Circa 1890
Located in Rotterdam, NL
An elegant and rare pair of antique 18 karat gold needle caps, beautifully crafted and rich in refined ornamental detail. Each cap is designed in a tapered, architectural form, remi...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 10K Gold and Copper Buckle, Netherlands, Circa 1885-1900
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A beautifully detailed antique rectangular buckle crafted in 10 karat gold mounted on a copper base, dating to the late 19th century. The buckle is decorated with richly textured gol...
10k Gold, Copper, Gold, Yellow Gold
Marble and Brass Mounted Vase
Located in New York, NY
A Large Marble and Brass Mounted Cassolettes, Vases. It is topped with a cover terminating with a pine cone finial and a further collar of downward hanging overlapping leaves.The vas...
Brass
Glass Scent Bottle with Gold Mounting
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A glass scent bottle in the shape of an amphora with a 14 carat gold mounting, foot and stopper and two rings at the side in its original leather ca...
Gold, 14k Gold
$22,850
Antique Moses Cameo Brooch
Located in New Orleans, LA
The legendary Michelangelo's Moses is meticulously recreated in this 19th-century cameo brooch. Crafted of beautiful onyx, the intricate cameo resides in ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Reverse Crystal Stickpin Tiepin Boxer Dog 14kt Red Gold Red Dog Collar
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This reverse crystal of a boxer dog wearing a red dog collar has been hand carved and hand painted in the last quarter of the 19th century. The crystal is mounted in a red gold setti...
Crystal, 14k Gold
High Victorian Faceted Jet Hat Pin w Sterling Silver Stem - 6 ½”, 1890s
Located in Tucson, AZ
A necessity during the Victorian Era, hat pins not only balanced precarious hats atop piles of hair but also moonlighted as weapons against overzealous gentlemen. Though teetering ha...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Vinaigrette/Scent Bottle
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Crafted by the renowned London silversmiths Sampson Mordan & Co. is this Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Vinaigrette/Scent Bottle, Circa 1870-71....
Sterling Silver
Victorian-Era Etched Floral with Inlaid "Floral Lady" 3-Piece Silver Belt Buckle
Located in New York, NY
Magnificently detailed, this 3-piece Victorian-era etched Silver buckle of beautiful florals on all three pieces highlights the center buckle with inlaid "Floral Lady". All ...
1800s Miniature Pearl Diamond Gold Portrait Pin Cushion
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
This miniature portrait of a young lady centers this unique gold pin 'cushion' with 14 removable pins, each topped with a pearl. Portrait is surrounded with small single cut old mine...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s Victorian Diamond and Ruby Yellow Gold Belt Buckle
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional Victorian 0.19 carat ruby and 0.18 carat diamond, 20 karat yellow gold belt buckle; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This exceptional Victorian belt buckle has been crafted in 20k yellow gold. The pierced decorated, rectangular frame is embellished with a three dimensional floriate design. The buckle is embellished with eleven Dutch cut diamonds displayed alternately between eleven round cut rubies. The diamonds and rubies are set to the centre of applied trefoil flower shaped collet settings. The inner and outer borders of this frame and prong buckle have a ribbed decoration. The buckle secures with a three prong swivel chape to the centre of the design. This antique Victorian belt buckle...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Impressive Victorian Banded Agate Desk Seal
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This monumental desk seal dates to the Victorian era and has been carved from a large piece of banded agate. The faceted piece of agate features heavy ...
Agate
Large Victorian Carnelian Desk Seal With Blank Matrix
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This oversized desk seal dates to the Victorian period and is wonderful in that the matrix on it remains blank. The seal which dates to circa 1870 is ve...
Carnelian
Victorian Gold Double-Ended Crystal Scent Bottle
Located in Paris, FR
A cylindrical, double-ended transparent crystal perfume bottle with one side a fine vinaigrette and the other a smelling salt compartiment. The vinaigre...
Crystal, Gold
14K Yellow Gold Retro Ridged Tie Bar, Unisex, 1990s, 2.3g
Located in Palm Desert, CA
14 Karat Ridged Tie Bar. Simple design yet sophisticated piece that will add a nice detail to any tie. The top of the tie bar has a zig-zag design and the enti...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,192Sale Price|20% Off
Akoya Pearls Necklace 14k Y Gold Ball Clasp Certified
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality Akoya Pearls Necklace 38" 14k Y Gold Ball Clasp 8.52 mm $8,790 216205 Custom Made Designer Flapper Japanese Akoya Pearl! This is a Unique Cus...
Pearl, Gold
$598 / item
W 0.25 in D 0.25 in L 4.75 in
Tiffany & Co. 1981 Angela Cummings Aerodynamic Twisted Pen .925 Sterling Silver
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Sculptural twisted pen designed by Angela Cummings. Sculptural pen, created back in the 1981 in New York city at the Tiffany Studios. This fabulous sculpt...
Sterling Silver, Silver
$628Sale Price|20% Off
ST Dupont Lighter Laque de Chine Blue Gold Original France Paris
By Cartier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
ST Dupont Lighter Laque de Chine Blue Gold Original France Paris with box Dimensions Height: 6cm / 2,36 inches Width: 3,5cm / 1,37 inches Depth: . 1 cm / 0...
Gold Plate
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Men's Money Clip
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated Sterling Silver money clip. Dimensions: 2.22 in. L x 0.90 in. W x 0.32 in. D - 56 mm. L x 22 mm. W x 8 mm. D. Alex Jona gifts stand o...
Sterling Silver
French Antique 18Kt Tri-Colored Gold Pencil Case, Circa 1810
Located in Firenze, IT
French tri-colored, red, green and yellow 18Kt gold pencil case decorated with applied classical lobes, swags and festoons of flowers. French rubbed mark, circa 1810 Width: 12 mm H...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 1890s Diamond and Pearl Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.83 carat diamond and pearl, 9 karat yellow gold, silver set brooch; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive antique diamond and pearl brooch has been crafted in 9k yellow gold with a silver setting. The scroll design is ornamented with a central six claw /prong set Old European cut diamond flanked above and below by individually set pearls, held in 9k yellow gold, six claw / prong settings. The scroll designs are further embellished with eighteen Old European cut diamonds, graduating in size. The terminals at either end of the brooch are accented with a 9k yellow gold six claw / prong set pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Austrian Guilloche Enamel Silver & Glass Table or Dresser Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Austrian glass, silver, & enamel table or dresser box. By Georg Adam Scheid. With a cornucopia or vase form decoration enamel flowers in a guilloche cartouche. The r...
Silver, Enamel
Bownite and Enamel Fabergé Frame
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A jewelled gold-mounted bowenite and enamel frame, Fabergé, Michael Perchin, St. Petersburg, before 1899, the circular bowenite frame centred by translucent mauve bezel with applied ...
Diamond, Other, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
$14,053Sale Price|20% Off
Montblanc, Piston Fountain Pen, Patron of the Art Sir Henry Tate 888 Limited
By Montblanc
Located in Braintree, GB
18kt solid yellow gold piston fountain pen with diamonds and mother of pearl, and 18kt gold nib, fully hallmarked. Limited edition number 792 of 888. The retractable Au 750 solid gold nib is adorned with the engraving of a sugar cane plant...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Enamel Box with Diamond and Rubies Handcrafted in 18 Karat Gold
By Jay Rawat
Located in Jaipur, IN
A beautiful box with fine enamel work studded with Diamonds and Rubies. Similar enamel work can be seen in Indian and Mughal jewellery from centuries ag...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Navajo Turquoise and Gold Watch Band, Ring, Bolo and Buckle Set
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Stunning four piece gold bracelet, ring, bolo and buckle set made by Robert and Burnice Leekya. Navajo four-piece set: watch band, ring, bolo, and buckle. 14K gold overlay and turquoise nuggets. Signed "RBL". From the Sleeping Beauty Mine. Zuni husband and wife Robert and Bernice Leekya are known for their bold turquoise nugget jewelry. They have been making unique pieces since 1953. Robert was taught by his father, a master Zuni jeweler Leekya Deyuse...
Turquoise, 14k Gold
Sold
H 2.37 in W 1.5 in D 0.87 in
Viennese Antique Gold Emerald Ruby and Pearl Clock, Probably by Carl Wurm c1830
Located in London, GB
A Viennese miniature gold zappler carriage clock probably by Carl Wurm, with a repoussé, chased and engraved case, designed as a small bracket clock, with the front face finely chase...
Emerald, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, Gold
19th Century Antique 18kt Yellow Gold Micro-Mosaic Dog Brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: 19th century Provenance: Italy Dimensions: 5,2 x 7 cm Weight: 42,5 gr The brooch, rectangular in shape, dates to the 19th century and is characterised by an 18-karat gold fr...
Yellow Gold
Fabergé Gold and Enamel Cigarette Case
By Fabergé
Located in Weston, MA
This bicolor gold and enamel cigarette case by Fabergé features an applied moss agate oval decoration set within a seed pearl and gold border. The body is decorated with yellow guilloche enamel and applied laurel bands at the base and cover. The case is finished with a cabochon sapphire thumbpiece. It is hallmarked Fabergé with makers mark for Henrik Wigström. Henrik Wigström (1862-1923) was one of the most important Fabergé work-masters. He joined the firm in 1884 as assistant to Michael Perchin and upon Perchin’s death in 1903 he became head work-master. The two were responsible for almost all of the Imperial Easter eggs produced by Fabergé, as well as superbly crafted enamel and gold objects...
Agate, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, En...
Antique 9k Gold Propelling Pencil, Sardonyx Seal
Located in NEWARK, GB
There is something quite magical about antique gold propelling pencils, perhaps for me it is the fact that the Victorian's managed to turn such a sim...
Onyx, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 12K Gold Cased and Carnelian Fob with Intaglio Portrait
Located in Venice, CA
Originally a watch fob, this unique Victorian era antique can also be worn as a fashionable pendant. The fob is 12k gold-cased and features a carnelian gemstone, carved with an intaglio depicting a portrait of a mans profile. Traditionally, during the Victorian era, fobs were worn by gentlemen as a sign of status and elegance. When pressed against a wax seal, the intaglio is revealed as a personal mark or signature used to sign documents. The portrait featured on this luminous red-orange gem...
Carnelian, Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold
Victorian Sterling Silver Vesta Case, Compass
By A&J Zimmerman Ltd.
Located in NEWARK, GB
An attractive and rare antique, Victorian era sterling silver vesta case with an inset compass. This vesta is a good size with a smooth polished fi...
Rare, Austro Hungarian, 18 Karat Yellow Gold Chatelaine Chain
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This very rare 18 karat yellow gold chatelaine chain was crafted in the then Austro Hungarian empire in the middle of the 19th Century. The piece is cr...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Gold and Diamond Lorgnette, c. 1890
Located in Aspen, CO
Antique gold and diamond lorgnette made in American in the late 19th century. This fine example of antique lorgnettes is 4 5/8th inches long, and 1 ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Tiffany & Co. Seal Pendant Necklace, circa 1880
Located in Aspen, CO
Tiffany & Co antique pendant/fob depicting Perseus son of Zeus, slayer of Medusa and protector of the Good (in this case a mother and child). He is shielding them from the rigors of...
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Victorian Steel Cornucopia Desk Stamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The cornucopia, also called the horn of plenty, is a symbol of abundance and nourishment. In Greek mythology, it is the horn of Amalthea, the goat nursing baby Zeus. Nowadays, In most of North-America often associated with Thanksgiving. This clever and pretty steel desk seal stamps...
Steel
Large Victorian French 18 Karat Gold Silver Diamond Letter Opener Objet D Art
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Letter opener is designed as a sword with an elongated blade Hilt is ornate with a spiraling yellow gold twisted rope motif Set throughout with rose cut and old mine cut diamonds -...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Tiffany & Co. Antique Highly Unusual Pendant Necklace, circa 1880
Located in Aspen, CO
Tiffany & Co antique pendant/fob depicting Perseus son of Zeus, slayer of Medusa and protector of the Good (in this case a mother and child). He is shielding them from the rigors of...
14k Gold, Sterling Silver