About Victorian jewelry
Victorian jewelry spans Queen Victoria's long reign, from 1837 to 1901, and few eras have produced such romantic, sentimental pieces. Jewelry was used to express love, friendship and remembrance, and many pieces carried hidden meanings in their stones and symbols.
Three Victorian periods
The Romantic period (1837 to around 1860) loved nature, hearts, serpents and lockets. After Prince Albert's death in 1861, the Grand period brought mourning jewelry in jet, black enamel and hairwork, alongside bold gold and gemstones. The Late, or Aesthetic, period (around 1880 to 1901) favored lighter designs, star-set stones, gypsy rings and delicate brooches.
Sentiment and symbolism
Look out for symbols with meaning: serpents for eternal love, forget-me-nots for remembrance, horseshoes for luck and buckles for loyalty. Lockets held portraits or locks of hair, and acrostic jewelry spelled out words like "regard" in the first letters of its gemstones.
Questions
Are Victorian rings suitable as engagement rings?
Yes. Many Victorian diamond rings, including five-stone rings and gypsy rings, make beautiful engagement rings. Browse our antique engagement rings.
How can I tell when a Victorian piece was made?
British hallmarks often include a date letter showing the exact year. Read our guide to hallmarks.
What is 15K gold?
15 karat gold was a legal British standard between 1854 and 1932, so you'll often find it in Victorian and Edwardian jewelry.