Some of Our Favorite Victorian Pieces

Victorian era jewelry is generally from one of three recognized periods. Named for the 63-year reign of Queen Victoria, this era saw the passage of the Reform Act, the rise of Gilded Age and the onset of the Belle Epoque. As might be expected, jewelry styles fluctuated over the course of the six decades.

Between 1837 and 1855, artisans are said to have crafted early Victorian pieces that were romantic by design. Gold, lockets, etchings and delicate pieces were common. Between 1856 and 1880, the mid-Victorian era gave rise to grand pieces and the famous mourning jewelry. Dark gemstones, heavy settings and mosaics made up the bulk of the pieces. Late Victorian jewelry was created between 1885 and 1900. Termed “aesthetic,” these pieces favored bright gemstones and star designs.

At Peter Suchy Jewelry, we routinely unearth amazing Victorian pieces that delight our customers. Here are just a few examples:

Carnelian Stone Pin Pendant 

 

Dated to about 1870, this piece features 15k pink gold. The necklace is 22 inches in length. The main stone is a hand-carved carnelian in a cameo design. Bead-set natural pearls adorn this piece.

Onyx and Pearl Dangle Pin or Pendant 

 

Set in 14k rose gold, 27 pieces of black onyx are custom cut for the inlay. Five natural 2mm pearls accent the look. Wear it as a pin on a blouse or sweater. In the alternative, attach it to a rose gold necklace to wear as a pendant.

Pearl and Diamond Pendant 

 

Set in 14k yellow gold there is a cultured creamy white tear drop pearl. It is complemented with 10 old-mine-cut diamonds. This is a beautiful piece to wear against a dark background.

Old-European Diamond Ring 

 

This late Victorian ring would be a perfect engagement ring for the bride with an appreciation for the finer things in life. Set in 14k pink gold, the white diamond has an exact carat weight of .40. The diamond features the desirable European cut and comes with an EGL certificate. This is the type of ring you know you will not see anyone else wear.

Amethyst Diamond Earrings 

 

Set in 18k multi-tone gold and silver, the untreated amethysts are a vibrant purple color. The stones are surrounded by 38 rose-cut diamonds that feature an approximate total weight of .63cts. These pieces are stunning and will be instant conversation starters. The depth of the stones has to be seen to be believed.

Check out the other stunning Victorian jewelry pieces that are currently available from Peter Suchy Jewelry by visiting our showroomlocated at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut.

Or, head on over to our top-rated eBay store where you’ll find all the Victorian jewelry pieces you see here! If you find an item has ended, please contact us at 203-327-0024 or email us at info@petersuchyjewelers.com as we may still have the piece in stock.

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An Overview on the History of Victorian Jewelry

The Victorian era follows the time line of Queen Victoria’s reign. Beginning in 1837 and lasting until 1901, jewelry aficionados break down this rather large chunk of time into three more manageable sections.  

Early Victorian Era - Beginning with the young queens’ coronation and lasting until 1860, the year before she lost her husband (Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha), jewelry styles of this period featured a large number of animal themes. Exotic as well as familiar animal shapes became popular motifs. Ladies in particular augmented their jewelry collections with floral sprays and pieces that displayed the most intricate scrollwork. Mind you, women’s clothing during this time called for wide puffed sleeves and floral trims. Low necklines opened up the neck for the display of gorgeous pendants.

Grand Victorian Period - Jewelry experts generally designate the years between Prince Albert’s death and 1885 as the grand Victorian period. Living for a while as a recluse, public sentiment turned against the queen. Toward the latter part of this time, she took on the title “Empress of India,” which found expression in jewelry styles of the time. Mourning jewelry became a hot commodity and jet pieces were so sought after that cheap imitations flooded the market. India’s influence came to play in the use of colorful rosettes, heavy brooches and lockets on long chains. Frames with Etruscan style elements became favorite settings.

Aesthetic Victorian Period - Falling between 1885 and 1900, which was just one year prior to her death, the aesthetic Victorian era had begun. Marked by the queen’s golden and diamond jubilees as well as changes in fashion that called for tight dresses, jewelry pieces now focused on exquisite detail work. Scarabs, birds, insects and other nature themes set the tone. The stone of choice was the diamond, which would be surrounded with pearls and colored stones. Pieces that were more intricate even featured spring mechanisms that could be activated by pressing on a hidden lever worked into the jewelry’s décor. Another famous piece of jewelry to have made an appearance was the diamond pin.

It is sometimes difficult to differentiate between pieces of the three periods. As a general rule of thumb, the buyer of Victorian jewelry will do well to look for symbolism in the pieces. For example, seed pearls quite frequently symbolized tears while pink coral was thought to ward off disease. Not surprisingly, these elements frequently were found in Grand Victorian pieces.

In keeping with this practice, the buyer of Victorian jewels featuring grouse feet or thistles will do well to remember that they represent Scottish lore. In 1852, Prince Albert purchased Balmoral Castle in Scotland’s Aberdeenshire and presented it to the queen as a personal gift. Consequently, traditionally Scottish flower and animal motifs became a staple of early Victorian pieces.

Do you have a passion for Victorian jewelry?

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