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.
Antique Ladies Hunter Elgin 4 Color Gold Pocket Watch and 18k Gold Chain
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Antique 14k four color gold hunter case pocket watch made by the Elgin Company around 1908 (based on movement serial # 13333340) features an elaborately decorated 14 c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. victorian diamond seed pearl 18k yellow gold enamel watch/pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This extraordinary Victorian watch pendant by Tiffany & Co. is a rare and poetic fusion of horology and fine jewelry, embodying the romance and craftsmanship of the turn of the 20th ...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$5,281Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Swiss 14 ct Gold Blue Guilloché Enamel And Diamond Wristwatch
Located in Portland, England
This exquisite antique 14ct gold, diamond and royal blue guilloché enamel ladies' wristwatch is dated circa 1900 and made in Switzerland. The watch has a round yellow gold case embel...
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
Antique Pavé Set Rose-Cut Diamond Pendant Geneva Ball Watch
Located in Firenze, IT
The white enamel dial with blue and red Arabic numerals, bezel wind and hand setting, the rose cut diamonds set in spiralling lines, with rose-cut diamond pendant line. Mechanical mo...
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian T-Bar Box Pocket Watch Tassel Chain
Located in Rotterdam, NL
An antique Victorian short T-bar box pocket watch chain set with a tassel pendant. The vest T-bar, box chain and the lovely tassel adorned with rose flowers on top are made of 14 karat gold. The box chain is also called "Venetian" chain, thanks to its origins in artisanal Venetian jewelry...
14k Gold
Carnelian Intaglio Victorian Fob Clip Pocket Watch Chain 10k Gold & Gold Filled
Located in Greensboro, NC
Era: Victorian Metal Content: Guaranteed 10k Gold (fob & ball charms) & Gold Filled as tested Stone Information: Genuine Carnelian Intaglio Color: Orangey Red Measurements: l...
Carnelian, 10k Gold, Gold-filled
$2,789Sale Price|30% Off
Waltham 1886 Riverside Size 0s Hunting Pocket Watch In 18Kt Gold With Diamond
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket watch designed by Waltham. Beautiful hunting pocket watch, created in Massachusetts United States by the A.W Waltham Watch Company, circ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Blue Enamel Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Pendant Watch
By Geneva
Located in Westport, CT
An original Victorian 18K yellow gold diamond blue enamel pendant watch. This magnificent piece features intricate carved 18K gold designs contrasting against the vibrant deep-blue e...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Patek Philippe Demi Hunter Pocket Watch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Boston, MA
A Patek Philippe pocket watch crafted in 18k yellow gold. Housed in a rare Demi, or Half Hunters case accented with black enamel. The ...
18k Gold
Gurzelen by Omega Swiss Triple Calendar Antique XIXc 50mm Open Face Pocket Watch
By Omega
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Fine & Very Rare, this pocket watch by Gurzelen by Omega dates back to late XIX century – pre-1880’s Despite the age, its in a great vintage condition & in excellent working order...
Stainless Steel
A & S Railroad Gold Minute Repeating Pocket Watch Presented to J.H. Ramsey, 1865
Located in Stamford, CT
Emile Peret, Locle, Swiss, 1865, hunting case. Minute repeating pocket watch with porcelain dial, movement number 16666, case number 20175, size...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Ladies Elongated Diamond Platinum and Gold Wrist Watch
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Elegant elongated platinum rectangular head with diamond frame with hinged pierced diamond garland chevron lug sides. The band is a double woven 9k white gold design terminating wit...
Diamond, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Platinum
Minute Repeating Chronograph Pocket Watch by A. Lugrin
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by Swiss watchmaker Alfred Lugrin, this exceptional minute repeating, triple-date chronograph is a specimen of precision timekeeping. Housed in a...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Steel
Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Watch Fob
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Victorian 14 Karat Watch Fob with Sliding Station. The unique ladies watch fob features a 48" long curb link chain with a sliding station adored ...
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Circa 1910s 18k Gold Pendant Pocket Watches Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 28.5 grams. Please contact for any questions.
18k Gold
MELLERIO Chatelaine from late 19th century Gold
Located in Paris, FR
MELLERIO BORGNIS 18-carat polychrome gold chatelaine, 750‰ decorated with a pierced and foliated number, topped with a marquis' crown, set with red and green stones and cultured pear...
Gold
Paul Ditisheim Montre Hamlet Silver Skull Pocket Watch
Located in Narberth, PA
Paul Ditisheim was a famous Swiss watchmaker, inventor and industrialist. Born in 1868 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the historic birthplace of the watch-making industry, he was born into the Ditisheim family, owners of Vulcain, a well-known and respected watch manufacturer who were also an integral part in leading the Swiss watch industry. Paul Ditisheim was instrumental in developing the new generation of chronometers and invented the affix balance. Thanks to his inventions, he was able to make the most precise chronometers ever made and has been considered the father of the modern chronometers. Ditisheim first based the design for his Hamlet skull watch...
Silver
Antique Victorian Braided Hair Pocket Watch Chain or Cord
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Victorian braided hair cord for a pocket watch. Comprised of braided, twisted, and woven hair set with gold plated caps and finding...
Gold Plate
Thos Russell & Son, Liverpool Pocket Watch Movement, Premier, Swiss, 44mm, XIXc.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Swiss Made Pocket Watch Movement retailed by Thomas Russell & Son, Liverpool 44mm Signed to the porcelain dial, adorned with black painted Roman numerals, original hands sub-d...
Metal
Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Pocket Watch by Redard & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This stylish and complex perpetual calendar minute-repeating chronometer pocket watch was created by the Swiss firm of H. Redard & Co. Its 18K...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Victorian French 2 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Star Pocket Watch
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely exquisite diamond pocket watch from the Victorian (1880s) era! French in origin, this exceptional piece is crafted in 18kt gold and sterling silver, creating a subtle m...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
$2,275Sale Price / set|30% Off
Evans Shrewsbury 1763-1856 Sterling Pair Cases Fusee Demi Hunter Pocket Watch
Located in Miami, FL
A hunter pocket watch made by Rich Evans Shrewsbury and Robert Causer. Very fine half hunter pair cased pocket clock, made in Birmingham England by the sil...
Silver, Sterling Silver
9ct Gold Victorian Watch Chain Section
Located in London, GB
9ct Gold Victorian display Chain section These were used to display medals ,coins , but are now a very decadent item of jewellery that can be worn e...
Gold, 9k Gold
Louis Audemars & Cie Victorian Hunter Case Enamel Pocket Watch
Located in Narberth, PA
Born in 1782, Louis Audemars was founded in 1811 by Louis-Benjamin Audemars in the Vallée de Joux, near le Brassus in Switzerland. Together, Audemars an...
14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Exquisite Victorian Enamel Cherub Garden Scene 18 Karat Gold Swiss Pocket Watch
Located in Boston, MA
A Swiss Victorian pocket watch crafted in 18k gold. The round case measures 35mm in width, featuring an exquisite enamel design. The front showcases a detailed scene of two cherubs...
18k Gold
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Gold Painting on Crystal, Essex Crystal, Cufflinks
Located in Aspen, CO
Antique gold painting under rock crystal, these finely painted dogs brimming with personality was made circa 1890. In both yellow and rose gold, notice the dog bone on the other si...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold
Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rockford Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1886 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 55mm MOVEMENT / CALIBE...
Maret Geneve (Swiss) Antique XIXc 48mm Solid Silver Open Face Pocket Watch
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Fine & Rare, this antique pocket watch by Maret Geneve – Another timepiece by H. Maret portraying Alexander II, czar of Russia (r. 1855–81) was exhibited at The Metropolitan ...
Silver
Waltham Silver Campaign Style Manual Wristwatch from 1918 with Enamel Dial
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign / Military Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1918 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 7 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired Enamel / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Black Leather 14 mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This very early American made Sterling Silver wrist watch...
Sterling Silver, Silver, Enamel
Nicole Nielsen & Co Pocket Watch Lever Movement, retailed by Flavelle Bros Ltd.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Nicole Nielsen & Co Pocket Watch Lever Movement, English Signed “Nicole Nielsen & Co Ltd” & engraved “14 Soho Square, London” Numbered 10025 Crown wind, pin set 40mm White ena...
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Gold Painting on Crysta, Essex Crystal, Cufflinks
Located in Aspen, CO
Antique gold painting under rock crystal, these finely painted dogs brimming with personality was made circa 1890. In both yellow and rose gold,...
Rock Crystal, Crystal, 14k Gold, Gold