Victorian Jewelry
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.
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Silver
1960s Australian Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Rose Gold, 9k Gold
1960s Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1960s French Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Copper
1960s Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
1960s European Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Spanish Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s German Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Gold Plate
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s German Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Gold Plate
1960s German Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Gold Plate
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, Silver
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, Silver
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s British Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, Silver
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Silver
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Silver
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Silver
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
1960s Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Agate, Coral, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Tiger's Eye, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow ...
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1960s Vintage Victorian Jewelry
Crystal
J.E. Caldwell & Co. jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs
1stDibs offers a range of J.E. Caldwell's jewelry and watches. Each of these unique items has been designed with extraordinary care, often using yellow gold. This collection includes 1 pieces as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by and . Prices for J.E. Caldwell & Co. jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $600 and tops out at $600, while pieces like these can sell for $600 on average.