Victorian Shell Cameo
Vintage 1960s Victorian Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique 1890s French Victorian Drop Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
Antique 1870s English Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Victorian Brooches
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Brooches
Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Empire Dangle Earrings
Gold
Antique 1870s Italian Victorian Brooches
Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Victorian Models and Miniatures
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s Italian Victorian Vanity Items
Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Gold-filled
Early 20th Century American Victorian Brooches
Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
10k Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches
18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Artisan Brooches
Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cufflinks
Other, 9k Gold
Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Art Deco Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Models and Miniatures
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
15k Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Pinchbeck
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Link Bracelets
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
15k Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Victorian Brooches
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s British High Victorian Dangle Earrings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Drop Necklaces
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Chain Bracelets
18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
15k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
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Victorian Shell Cameo For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Victorian Shell Cameo?
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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If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
Inside the Mansions of HBO’s ‘Gilded Age’ with Set Decorator Regina Graves
Graves filled scores of opulent rooms with furniture and treasures to tell the story of how new money remade New York society.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Why Victorian Snake Jewelry Is Anything but Scary
Representing everlasting love, serpentine often appear on fashionable gems from the era on Queen Victoria.
The Original American Silver-Making Company Is Back in the Spotlight
A new show at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, in Providence, reveals why the various and sundry creations of the Gorham Manufacturing Company still shine.
See How New York City Designers Experiment on Their Own Homes
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Canadian Designer Philip Mitchell Masterfully Balances Tradition and Glamour
Enriching rooms with layers of visual interest is key to the New York– and Toronto-based decorator’s signature style.
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.