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.
Vintage Natural Turquoise Rose-Cut Diamond Pendant Necklace 14K Gold 800 Silver
Located in Marcianise, IT
A captivating piece of vintage jewelry artistry, this exquisite pendant necklace beautifully channels classical antique elegance. The necklace features a two-tiered, openwork stateme...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1.45 Carat Amethyst and Seed Pearl Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1.45 carat amethyst and seed pearl, 15 karat yellow gold necklace; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections This stunning, fine and impressive amethyst necklace has been crafted in 15k yellow gold. The feature setting is ornamented with five round cut bezel set amethysts. The apex of the design features a collet set, square cut amethyst, set at an angle. The terminal of the design features a pear faceted, bezel set amethyst drop. The necklace is embellished with a six pavé set seed pearls, of uniform size. The 15k yellow gold necklace features a scrolling leaf motif sitting between the square cut amethyst and the central trio of round cut amethysts. The necklace is 41.91cm in length, the fine belcher chain securing to the reverse with a bolt ring fastening. The setting is hallmarked to the reverse of the setting with the mark for 15k gold (15CT) and a maker's mark. The bolt ring fastening is also hallmarked with the mark for 15k gold (15CT). This antique amethyst and seed pearl necklace...
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Gold Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Drop Necklace with Bow
Located in Venice, CA
At the focal point of this elegant Victorian-era drop necklace are three antique diamonds suspended from a bow and navette shaped bar. The diamonds are Dutch rose cut, with layers of...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum, Silver
Jill Garber French Porcelain Cherub with Mother-of-Pearl and Turquoise Necklace
By Jill Garber
Located in Saginaw, MI
A romantic large antique French hand painted porcelain depicting a cherub cradling a basket of pink roses dating to the nineteenth century stands front and center in this one of a ki...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Victorian 2.40 Carat Amethyst and Pearl Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Victorian 2.40 carat amethyst and seed pearl, 9 karat yellow gold pendant and chain; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive Victorian amethyst pendant...
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Drop Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Royal Blue Enamel 6 Diamonds 0.1 ct G VS
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant necklace, 18k White Gold, Dew Drop collection, royal blue vitreous enamel, 6 diamonds, total 0.1 ct G VS brilliant cut About the creator Victor Mayer Victo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Dew Drop Pendant - 18k Yellow Gold - Opalescent White Vitreous Enamel Guilloche
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant 18k yellow gold, Dew Drop Collection, opalescent white vitreous enamel, guilloche, measurements app. 28.0 mm x 10.0 mm About the creator Victor Mayer Victo...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Round Locket Pendant 18k White Gold Pink Vitreous Enamel 37 Diamonds Aquamarine
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer customizable round locket pendant 18k white gold, Opera Collection, translucent pink vitreous enamel, guilloche, 37 diamonds, total 0...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Dew Drop Pendant 18k Yellow Gold Translucent Purple Vitreous Enamel Guilloche
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant 18k yellow gold, Dew Drop Collection, translucent purple vitreous enamel, guilloche, measurements app. 28.0 mm x 10.0 mm About the creator Victor Mayer Vic...
Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Victorian 9k Yellow Gold Miniature Portrait Pendant, Circa 1870
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 9k yellow gold hand painted miniature portrait pendant; part of our diverse antique jewelry and esta...
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 1890s Diamond Aquamarine Pearl and Yellow Gold Pendant or Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning Victorian 3.22 carat diamond and 2.10 carat aquamarine, seed pearl and 18 karat gold pendant / brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive antique aquamarine pendant...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.52 Carat Garnet and Diamond and Yellow Gold Pendant Antique
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 4.52 carat garnet and 0.61 carat diamond and, 12 karat yellow gold pendant; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive antique Victorian pendant has been crafted in 12k yellow gold. The symmetrical, pierced millegrain decorated design is ornamented with seven impressive individually bezel set garnets, in a combination of round and cushion cut. The upper portion of the design incorporates an articulated drop comprised of a bezel set cushion cut garnet, flanked with two individually bezel set Old European cut diamonds, all in a vertical linear arrangement. The 12k yellow gold frame is embellished with the remaining sixteen pavé set Old European round diamonds. The Victorian pendant suspends from an 18k yellow gold 40.64cm/16" belcher chain, via a flared ring loop attachment to the upper border of the design. This stunning garnet necklace is fitted to the fine and impressive, original leatherette presentation box with a velvet and satin lined interior, securing with a push fit catch. This Victorian garnet pendant...
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold
16.47tcw 14K Vintage Inspired Oval Emerald Cabochon & Oval Amethyst Drop Pendant
Located in Jupiter, FL
A remarkable emerald and amethyst necklace, that showcases three gorgeous gemstones. At the very top of the piece, a 1.86-carat, natural cabochon emerald. Followed by a 1.83-carat, n...
Amethyst, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Drop Pendant, 18k White Gold, Dark Blue Vitreous Enamel 6 Diamonds 0.1 Ct G Vs
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant, 18k White Gold, Dew Drop Collection, dark blue vitreous enamel 6 diamonds, total 0.1 ct G VS brilliant cut About the creator Victor Mayer Victor Mayer is ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel