Victorian Horseshoe Nail
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Drop Earrings
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1860s English Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique 1870s English Victorian Wall Mirrors
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Victorian Doors and Gates
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Link Necklaces
Steel
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2010s Turkish Modern Drop Earrings
Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Brooches
14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
Porcelain
1960s French Mini Dress
1980s Italian Jodhpur Pants
Vintage 1960s French Country Taxidermy
Antler
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Decorative Bowls
Antler
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Jewelry Boxes
Coral, Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Apothecary Cabinets
Wood, Oak
Antique 1880s Unknown High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Rose Gold, Silver
Vintage 1930s Italian Jars
Crystal
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Bangles
Coral, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 1850s British Necklace Enhancers
Agate, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s French Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Bangles
Lapis Lazuli, 15k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Bangles
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s Victorian Bangles
Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Agate, Quartz, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Armchairs
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Armchairs
Linen
Antique 1870s French Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Dangle Earrings
Agate, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Drop Earrings
Cut Steel
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Bangles
Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s British More Jewelry
Agate, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century English Armchairs
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Footstools
Mahogany
A Close Look at 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.
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