Victorian Rings
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.
Early 1900s British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1900s British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1890s British Antique Victorian Rings
9k Gold
1890s British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
1980s British Vintage Victorian Rings
Diamond, White Gold
19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, Gold
1870s English Antique Victorian Rings
Coral, Gold, Base Metal
19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold
1880s British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Early 1900s Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-19th Century British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1880s British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, 15k Gold
1910s Vintage Victorian Rings
Diamond
1910s British Vintage Victorian Rings
Early 2000s American Victorian Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1890s British Antique Victorian Rings
10k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Victorian Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1890s Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s British Vintage Victorian Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Garnet, 10k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold
1890s Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold
1860s English Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1870s Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Rose Gold
1860s French Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Silver
1880s Antique Victorian Rings
Crystal, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century British Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Mid-19th Century British Antique Victorian Rings
Amethyst, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Victorian Rings
18k Gold
Si...
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Victorian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Read More
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
How to Buy a Vintage or Antique Engagement Ring
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.