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.
$808Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Natural uncut rose cut Diamonds sterling silver bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 7.50cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white a...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$1,358Sale Price / item|20% Off
Classic Natural uncut rose cut Diamonds sterling silver broad bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 14.50cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white ...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$712Sale Price|20% Off
Natural uncut rose cut Diamonds sterling silver zig zag diamond Bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 7.60cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white a...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Natural uncut rose cut Diamond sterling silver hinged bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 7.30cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white a...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
$1,285Sale Price|20% Off
Natural uncut rose cut Diamonds sterling silver broad Bracelet Diamond Bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 12.40cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white ...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Early Victorian 1.15 Carat Emerald, Crystal & Diamond in Silver & 18k Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Antique Victorian bracelet featuring Diamond , emeralds & crystal in 18k solid gold & Silver. This piece is luxurious and craftsmanship can...
Crystal, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
$719Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage look Natural uncut rose cut Diamonds sterling silver square bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
Step back in time to the opulence of the Victorian era with our exquisite square bracelet, a timeless masterpiece adorned with natural uncut and rose cut diamonds set in sterling sil...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Zambian Emerald & Diamond Bracelet Set 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Capri” Vintage Natural Zambian Emerald & Diamond Bracelet Set 18K Gold & Silver open and close hinge and safety locks Natural Zambian Emerald - 24 Carats Natural Diamonds...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Italian Retro 18k Gold Wide Bracelet Weight 79gr. Circa 1960
Located in Firenze, IT
The 18k rose gold textured mesh links measuring approximately 3.5cm in width, completed by a hidden tongue-and-groove clasp the bracelet is 18cm. Gross weight: 79 grams.
18k Gold, Rose Gold
18K Gold and Emerald Bangle Bracelet, India
Located in Nantucket, MA
18K Gold bangle bracelet with faceted, round emeralds all around. Intricate wire work by highly skilled and talented Indian goldsmiths. Hinged for easy on and off. Clasp is a scre...
Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 1901 Yellow Gold Curb Bracelet with Heart Padlock Clasp
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 9 karat yellow gold curb link bracelet with heart shaped padlock clasp; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive antique bracelet has been crafted in 9k yellow gold. The thirty-two curb links that make up this bracelet are hollow in nature, as was common for this style of jewelry in the early 1900s. The bracelet secures with a hallmarked heart padlock fastening via two curb links and benefits from the additional security of a fine link...
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
5.42 Carat Happy Diamond Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Wan Chai District, HK
This 5.42 Carat Happy Diamond Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold is a lavish piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. The centerpiece features 9 round cut moving diamonds, ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.00 Carat Diamond Akoya Pearl White Gold Midcentury Multi-Strand Bracelet
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century 1960's four row cultured pearl and diamond bracelet. 100 Akoya cream color high lustre pearls ranging in size 5.5 to 6mm in 4 rows with 14k white gold separators accented...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
French 1940s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Reversible Tank Bracelet
Located in Poitiers, FR
Bracelet in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Tank gold bracelet, it consists of knot-shaped patterns in a decor of lines and gold pearls, ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Cameo Slide Charm Bracelet
Located in Boston, MA
A stunning example of vintage artistry, this 14K yellow gold bracelet exudes Old World charm and elegance. Crafted meticulously with 12 exquisite cameo slides, each cameo is a miniature work of art carved from mixed color shells. The cameos depict finely sculpted feminine profiles in raised relief against variegated shell backgrounds of cream, peach, and warm earth tones. Golden bead dividers punctuate the spaces between each cameo slide, adding a touch of luminous texture. The bracelet's substantial 14K gold frame measures 6 1/2 inches in length and just under 3/8 of an inch wide, making it a weighty and substantial piece of jewelry. With a total weight of 27.04 grams, it has a pleasant heft on the wrist. This cameo slide charm bracelet...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Crystal Link Bracelet in Silver, Early 1900s
Located in Milford, DE
Early-1900s Art Deco bracelet featuring four rows of linked crystals, fastened with a foldover clasp. Silver-tone.
Crystal
Retro 18 Karat Yellow Gold Scale Diamond Buckle Bracelet
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
This 1940s Retro Diamond Buckle Bracelet is a spectacular example of bold mid-century design combined with luxurious craftsmanship. Craf...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$48,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.62 in L 7.25 in
18K Yellow Gold Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet or talisman to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. This multi gemstone bracelet has a square cut gemstone and diamonds in 18K ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$74,970 / item
W 0.81 in L 7.5 in
Exceptional Emerald Diamond Wide Cocktail Bracelet Gift in 18k Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
This Exceptional Emerald Diamond Wide Cocktail Bracelet in 18K gold showcases endlessly sparkling natural emerald, weighing 28.35 carats and diamonds of 6.17 carats. It measures 7.5 inches long in length. Emerald enhances intellectual capacity of the person. Designed with mixed cut emerald set in center asymmetrically with diamonds on both sides and between the emeralds in gold...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Classic Natural uncut rose cut Diamond sterling silver hinged bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 7.30cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white a...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Classic Natural uncut rose cut Diamonds sterling silver bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 7.50cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white a...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Natural uncut rose cut Diamonds sterling silver zig zag diamond Bracelet
Located in Delhi, DL
This vintage style diamond silver and yellow gold plating hinged bangle consists of: Diamond- 7.60cts Diamond type: Rose cut diamonds and uncut polki diamond Diamond color: white a...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Vintage Sweet Romance USA cabochon antique style bracelet, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Sweet Romance USA antique style link bracelet embedded with colored glass cabochons and beads. Period: 1980s Signed. Diameter: 7cm Width: 3cm Con...
Diamond Platinum Feather Bracelet With Two Large Pear Shaped Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
A true one of a kind bracelet hand made in platinum. This bracelet features marquise shape diamonds, round diamonds, pear shape diamonds, emerald cut diamonds, and baguette diamonds ...
Diamond, Platinum