Early Victorian Jewelry
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.
Mid-19th Century American Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1840s British Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Oriental Pearl, 15k Gold
1890s British Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
1950s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Jade
1860s French Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1850s Unknown Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Early Victorian Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1850s French Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
1830s Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Tourmaline, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Palladium
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1880s Italian Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Early Victorian Jewelry
Other, Bronze, Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Early Victorian Jewelry
Silver
1890s American Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Garnet, Sterling Silver
1870s Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Agate, Gold, Enamel, 15k Gold
1850s British Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Garnet, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold
Mid-19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
1850s Austrian Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold
1840s Austrian Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Tourmaline, White Diamond, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
1850s Swiss Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary German Early Victorian Jewelry
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Sterling Silver
1840s English Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Early Victorian Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold