Victorian Shell Cameo
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian More Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian High Victorian Signet Rings
Agate
Mid-20th Century French Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique 1870s Austrian High Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique 1860s English Victorian Decorative Boxes
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Brooches
14k Gold
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian More Jewelry
14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings
10k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1830s Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Stud Earrings
14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Dangle Earrings
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Gold
Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Brooches
18k Gold
Antique 1830s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches
Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1870s English More Jewelry
Silver
Antique 19th Century Victorian Collectible Jewelry
Shell
Antique 1860s English Victorian Brooches
Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Gold Plate
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s American Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Brooches
Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Victorian Models and Miniatures
Early 20th Century Victorian Brooches
Gold
Antique 19th Century Dutch Victorian Brooches
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Victorian Brooches
Gold, 10k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Other, 10k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
10k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Brooches
Antique 1880s Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches
10k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Antique 19th Century Victorian Religious Items
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches
Gold Plate, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Victorian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Brooches
Bronze
Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s American Link Bracelets
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Brooches
Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Brooches
Gold
Early 20th Century Victorian Brooches
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian More Jewelry
Diamond, 18k 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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Why Victorian Snake Jewelry Is Anything but Scary
Representing everlasting love, serpentine often appear on fashionable gems from the era on Queen Victoria.
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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
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