Victorian Jewelry - Old Beauty

The beauty of Victorian jewelry is unlike that of any other time period: it’s classically ornate, yet delicately detailed. As with the fashion, architecture, and decor of the time-period, Victorian jewelry is very complex in its symbolism, sentiments, and design. Whereas Edwardian jewelry was made with white gold, Victorian jewelry utilizes colorful gemstones set on yellow or rose gold a variety of different styles, metals, and gems. Thus, almost no two pieces of Victorian jewelry are alike.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, we need to get to know Queen Victoria herself because it’s impossible to understand her namesake jewelry without knowing at least a little about her. She ruled England from 1837 until 1901 (these are the years now referred to as the Victorian era), which was the longest reign of any English monarch. Victoria had a very romantic nature, which is easily seen through her love for her husband and motherly devotion to her children. These loves inspired an abundance of sentimental motifs in the jewelry that was made during her reign as queen. Some of these motifs include hearts, bows, flowers, birds, and romantic sayings. Victoria especially loved nature and gardening, and much of this love reflects in her jewelry. Any observant jewelry collector notices that jewelry made toward the end of her reign is black and is referred to as “mourning jewelry.” Why? Because of the unexpected death of Victoria's husband Albert in 1861. This sent her and her entire nation into mourning. As a result, jewelry of black enamel, jet, and onyx was in high demand during the end of the 19th century.

Victorian jewelry is usually divided into three stylistic periods: the Romantic Period, the Grand Period and the Late/Aesthetic Period. All jewelry of the Victorian era can be recognized by three key components: first, there is a strong focus on figurative motifs and sentimental subject matter, second, it is composed of unusual materials, techniques, and non-precious stones, and lastly, it is made of production manufactured metal. Some of the most attractive and expensive Victorian jewelry is in the Etruscan style, which uses a granulation technique to produce minute gold beads soldered onto the body of a piece.

Victorian jewelry is popular among today’s collectors and may often be found at antique stores or online auction sites for a variety of prices. Often, Victorian jewelry is handed down from mother to daughter through the generations. However you obtain your Victorian jewelry, you are sure to love it and prize it as a reflection of the beauty and wealth of its namesake.