The Victorian (c1836-1901) jewelry period follows the reign of Queen Victoria in Great Britain from 1836 to 1901. Queen Victoria's love for her husband and children inspired Victorian jewelry that reflected a romantic and sentimental outlook.
Victorian Jewelry Designs
Flowers, hearts, bows and birds inspired beautiful pieces of Victorian jewelry which showed the craftsmanship of the Victorian age. Serpent motifs were also popular in Victorian jewelry. Yellow gold and silver were the metals of choice as Victorian jewelry artisans did not learn to work with platinum until very late in the period. Gemstones were often used in Victorian jewelry and helped keep jewelry affordable for the mass market. Garnets, amethysts, corals, turquoise, and seed pearls were in style. Opals were increasingly popular as Queen Victoria adored them. Diamonds were discovered in South Africa in 1867 and became popular during the Victorian jewelry period. Human hair was also incorporated in jewelry during the Victorian period. This jewelry was given as a token of love and also worn as mourning jewelry.
A glorious bouquet of pearls, diamonds and blue zircons accent this Victorian necklace's delicate swirling vase. The pendant suspends from a round blue zircon. A larger matching zircon centerpieces the vase's cutwork. Three oval wing baroque pearls unfurl in between while a bigger heart-shaped pearl romantically dangles from below.
Details: Antique, Victorian. Circa 1900. 14k yellow gold. Full cut diamonds, 0.025 carats. Two round zircons, 2.21 carats. 4 fresh water pearls.
Diamonds trickle down the lobe in these Victorian inspired earrings. Four diamonds are butterfly prong set in 14k rose gold. A smaller diamond drips from a larger one lending the illusion of dancing dewdrops.
Details: Vintage. Circa 1930 or after. 14k rose gold. Round brilliant cut, 0.90 carats. Lever wire backs.
Carved female Madonnas are backsplashed by coral-colored agate in these Victorian reproduction cameo earrings. Depicting a woman's profile, the centerpiece cameos are cast in a virginal white that contrasts with the warmly hued agate. Their gemstone base is framed with a double tier of 14k yellow gold chain work. These Victorian reproduction earrings have hinged wires.
Details: Victorian Reproduction. 14k yellow gold. Agate cameo.
Maple leaves dance around her wrist in this charming antique bracelet. The vein and frond details of the maple leaves are so lifelike they resemble actual leaves dipped in gold. The 18k yellow gold double links of this antique bracelet are separated by shimmering dollops. This late Victorian bracelet secures around the wrist with a concealed box clasp with safety chain. Circa 1900
Delicate flowers and natural pearls create an enchanting garden design in this Victorian antique necklace. A horseshoe array of bold floral blossoms is gathered into a swag bouquet that seductively drapes down the neckline. The long, dainty cable-link 18k yellow gold chain of this antique necklace is accented with smaller single flowers and five creamy natural spherical pearls. Circa 1900
This Victorian antique brooch depicts a bird soaring higher and higher towards the heavens. He is in joyful flight with his wings outstretched. His finely crafted body and wings are of 14k yellow gold topped with platinum and embellished with a dazzling array of old European cut diamonds. The bird's red ruby eye keeps a watchful eye on the horizon. This bird pin is similar to the pin that Katniss Everdeen might have worn in the Hunger Games ring. Circa 1895.
An eye-catching design is enhanced by the warmth of 14k yellow gold and the glitter of diamonds in this antique Victorian engagement ring. The unique mounting of this antique engagement ring arranges the diamonds in a glorious flower blossom design. Six stations along the circumference hold round diamonds with the center diamond elevated above the rest. In combination, the seven diamonds that accent this Victorian engagement ring weigh 2.00 carats. Circa 1900s. .
The three-dimensional effect of these antique rose gold and diamond earrings dazzles like a flower bud unfurling. Make of 14k rose gold, the rosebud gallery of each of these earrings cups a rose cut diamond. The pair of diamonds that centerpiece these Victorian earrings total 0.02 carats. These antique earrings hold securely to the ear with leverbacks. Circa 1880
This Victorian ruby and diamond cocktail ring has fourteen round European cut diamonds. They lend approximately 0.21 carats of diamond weight to this dinner ring. A trio of round rubies threads down the center of the marquise shaped diamond display and adds a brilliant stream of color. These three ruby accents total approximately 0.12 carats of gemstone weight. Circa 1890.
Metallic fringe and a decorative fleur de lis lend graceful charm to this Victorian inspired vintage bracelet. This vintage bracelet is made of 14k yellow gold. The textured surface of the band culminates in an ornately carved end piece. A gold tassel flirtatiously drips from its edge. Three natural creamy half pearls flitter down the center and add a touch of elegance to vintage bracelets like this one. Circa 1960 or later
Antique Victorian Cabachon Cut Almandite Garnet Pendant
Pearls dance around an oval cabochon cut almondite garnet in this Victorian pendant with tassels. 15k yellow gold tassels drip from this antique pendant like a shimmering comet shooting through the sky. Lending to this celestial theme is an oval cabochon almandite garnet that is topped with a diamond-studded star. The seven rose and old mine cut diamonds that accent the star total 0.11 carats. Twenty-seven spherical natural half pearls gleam around the Victorian garnet like a crescent moon. Circa 1870
A delicate web of gold holds five old mine cut diamonds in this antique Victorian wedding ring. Hailing from the late Victorian era, this wedding ring is made of 18k yellow gold. Five old mine cut diamonds parade across the looping open-weave top. Ranging in color from H to I, these SI1-clarity diamonds total 0.10 carats. The shoulders of the antique band are carved with fleur de lis daggers. Circa 1900.
If Cupid's arrows were as romantic as this antique style Victorian filigree pendant, they'd never miss their mark. Constructed of silver-clad 14k yellow gold, this Victorian style pendant contains all the hallmarks of love. The pendant is accented with a collection of thirty old style diamonds with a total diamond weight of 0.52 carats. A 20 inch silver cable link chain with spring ring clasp is included. Remind her of your love with this romantic Victorian style pendant!
Made of 14k yellow gold, the crescent arc of this Victorian antique pin is threaded down the middle with a collection of eleven natural Oriental pearls. These creamy white pearls have a silver cast to them. Bearing the Krementz trademark, this late Victorian pin is tipped at the ends with platinum, which adds a touch of metallic contrast. Circa 1895
This antique pearl bar pin will add a touch of classic elegance and sophistication to any outfit in your wardrobe. The highlight of this Victorian pin is the collection of fourteen round half pearls that run down the center. The creamy white color of the pearls casts a silver shimmer that contrasts with the 14k yellow gold setting. Circa 1885
Bearing a French hallmark, the band of this Victorian ruby dinner ring is made of 18k yellow gold. A silver top displays a glittering display of red and white. An oval faceted mixed cut ruby is set at the center of this Victorian dinner ring. The gemstone weight of the centerpiece ruby is 1.05 carats. A collection of rose cut diamonds surrounds the ruby, reflecting its beauty. The diamonds total 0.93 carats. Circa 1870.
Silken magnolia petals burst forth from their flaming foliage in this Etruscan Revival antique brooch. The 15k yellow gold base of this antique pin is fashioned in a three-tier design. Milgraining and carvings add texture to the metal. The center blossom is accentuated with a collection of ten oval faceted mixed cut white topazes. The total gemstone weight of this antique pin is 1.47 carats. An oval rose cut diamond weighing 0.05 carats adds additional sparkle to this Etruscan Revival brooch. Circa 1865
Constructed of 14k yellow gold, this Victorian pearl brooch is a versatile addition to your jewelry wardrobe as it may be worn as a pin or pendant. The six-sided star's points alternate with fleur-de-lis-tipped rays. A collection of spherical and half creamy white iridescent pearls accent the metallic elements of this Victorian pearl pendant and brooch. Circa 1890
Antique Victorian coral rings like this late 19th century dinner ring have a Roman princess appeal. The coral gemstone that highlights this Victorian ring is carved with a toga-clad goddess. The 14k yellow gold band is done in a fancy scrolled pattern that showcases the coral cameo. Circa late 1800s.
This Victorian gold and enamel brooch borrows its notable features from Chinese pagoda designs. Constructed of 14k yellow gold, this Victorian brooch is split down the middle in a mirror image design. Hammered accents give the crescents and pagodas textural appeal. A carved wheat pattern around the outside circular base softens the edges of this antique gold and enamel brooch. Antique Victorian brooches like this one may also be worn as a pendant. Circa 1875
Long and slender in design, this 18k yellow gold and platinum antique bar pin is simply spectacular. A collection of five old European cut diamonds centerpiece this antique sapphire and diamond bar pin for a total diamond weight of 0.43 carats. The diamonds are flanked by ten rectangular faceted mixed cut blue sapphires, five on each side. The combined gemstone weight of all the sapphires in this antique bar pin is 1.25 carats. Circa 1890.
When the ordinary just won't do, this Victorian jet and diamond engagement ring doesn't disappoint. Every facet of this antique engagement ring is unique, from its rhomboid setting to its musical note carvings. The 15k yellow gold band of this Victorian engagement ring is top-plated and shoulder-detailed with platinum. Two triangular step cut jet gemstones form the points of the rhomboid. Between the two jets lie a pair of round single cut diamonds. The diamond weight of this Victorian jet engagement ring is 0.09 carats. Circa 1900.
When a delicate finishing touch is what your outfit needs, this Victorian ruby and diamond antique bar pin will never disappoint. The 14k yellow gold setting is texturally enhanced with ribbing and a twisted rope design. The center third of this Victorian bar pin is accented with a collection of rubies and diamonds for contrasting gemstone appeal. Three emerald cut rubies alternate with four old European cut diamonds in this exquisite antique bar pin. The diamonds total 0.16 carats while the rubies lend 0.23 carats of gemstone weight. Circa 1900
With its lovely wreath design, this Etruscan Revival antique pin is sure to draw attention. The 14k yellow gold setting is exquisitely carved with a stem-and-leaf design that adds an elegant textural backdrop to the four round faceted mixed cut blue sapphires that are set around the circle of the antique pin. The total gemstone weight of the sapphires is 0.61 carats. Day, Clark and Co. trademark. Circa 1890
This Victorian pearl and diamond antique pin's twisted 18k yellow gold corkscrew design is elegantly sophisticated. The silver white round pearl and old European cut diamonds that accent this Victorian stick pin lend contrasting flavor to the yellow gold setting. Totaling 0.17 carats, the diamonds accentuating this antique pin range in color from H to I and in clarity form VS1 to SI1. Circa 1910