Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Also called Aesthetic period jewelry, historians have determined that antique late Victorian jewelry and watches are representative of an era that lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque.
Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her emotions were reflected in her fashion and in what we now call Victorian jewelry. By about 1880, Queen Victoria and her constituents were ready to look to the future. The dark skies were parting and fashion was changing. There was also a major shift in industry.
While in the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign the focus was on manufacturing, toward the later years there was a renewed interest and appreciation of the handmade. The late Victorian period (1880–1901) was referred to as the Aesthetic period and coincided with these changing tastes.
The Aesthetic Movement, concerned with “art for art’s sake,” began in Britain around the 1870s and became recognized by designers and artists worldwide, eventually resulting in the Arts and Crafts movement (1880s–1920s).
Stylistically, jewelry of this time period did not resemble its earlier Victorian counterparts, in fact it was in complete opposition to what preceded it. Gone were the mourning jewelry, heavy brooches and large necklaces. Late Victorian-era jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty. Women still layered pieces, though, and favored smaller scatter pins. Jewelry also became an evening accessory and not so visible during the day.
Women were starting to actively participate in sporting events (socially, of course, not professionally), so athletic motifs showed up on their accessories. Lockets and heart pendants remained popular, but the REGARD or DEAREST rings of the early Victorian period were replaced by Mizpah pieces, which means “the Lord watches over me” in Hebrew. These items were exchanged between two people to symbolize a close bond.
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 Aesthetics movement felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
The Brits still looked to their monarchs to dictate the latest trends. Queen Victoria’s daughter-in-law Alexandra famously wore a dog-collar necklace, also known as a collier de chien, made up of multiple strands of pearls, to hide a scar. This style of necklace quickly rose to prominence. Toward the end of the 19th century, solitaire rings were also becoming fashionable thanks to Tiffany & Co.’s advent of the six-prong diamond setting in 1886. Platinum was starting to be used in jewelry production as well. Edwardian and, afterward, Art Deco engagement rings that followed in the wake of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 would be characterized by complex geometric designs and platinum settings.
Women were the biggest influences on jewelry. They joined the workforce, fought for their independence and overall began to lead a much more active lifestyle. Jewelry had to become comfortable and serve multiple purposes. While in the United States, the Gibson Girls lifestyle was emulated by young women, and starlets became trendsetters.
Finally, the international expositions made the world seem like a much smaller place and jewelry from North Africa and India captured people’s attention, appealing to those who already favored Revival jewelry from the Etruscans to the Romans.
Find antique late Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
20th Century Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
1890s Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1890s Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18...
2010s American Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
19th Century English Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century English Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
1890s American Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s English Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s British Late Victorian Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
1890s American Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century British Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
1940s Mozambican Vintage Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1890s American Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century British Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Onyx, Yellow Gold
1890s British Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Unknown Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 15k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
20th Century British Late Victorian Engagement Rings
White Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
19th Century British Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
1910s American Vintage Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 1900s Antique Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum