Victorian jewellery is usually divided into three periods: the Romantic (roughly 1837 to 1860), the Grand (roughly 1860 to 1885) and the Aesthetic (roughly 1885 to 1901). Each had its own mood. The Victorian style pieces from RingDesire borrow from all three.
The dates are a guide. Sources place the edges of each period a few years apart, so treat them as rough. They match the reign of Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901. That is a long time, and tastes changed several times within it.
The Romantic period, roughly 1837 to 1860
The early years followed the young queen's courtship and marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, and jewellery turned sentimental. Common motifs were flowers, hearts, love knots and snakes. Pieces were often made to be given, and to carry a message.
The look is lighter and more naturalistic than what came later. Many of the flowers and leaves we think of as Victorian belong here.
The Grand period, roughly 1860 to 1885
Prince Albert died in December 1861. Queen Victoria wore mourning for the rest of her life, and dark jewellery became fashionable across society. Black was the colour of the moment, and pieces grew larger and heavier.
The same decades also looked back to the ancient world. Jewellers drew on classical designs, and carved gems and intaglios came back into favour. The ancestors of those pieces were the Grand Tour souvenirs described in Grand Tour Jewellery and the 18th Century Craze for Glass Intaglios. If a Victorian style piece has a profile, a laurel wreath or a Roman look, this is the period it follows.
The Aesthetic period, roughly 1885 to 1901
Towards the end of the century, jewellery became smaller and lighter again. Designs were simple and often drawn from nature: stars, crescents, birds and flowers. The heavy mood of the middle years had passed, and the new century was close.
Why the classical world kept returning
Interest in ancient Greece and Rome ran through the whole century. Excavations at Pompeii and elsewhere, public museums and the memory of the Grand Tour kept classical designs in view, and jewellers answered with carved stones, profiles and laurel wreaths. An intaglio fits that taste exactly.
The language of flowers
The Victorians loved symbols. The language of flowers, in which each bloom carried a meaning, was a fashionable game, and jewellery borrowed from it. The lily motif that became the fleur-de-lis is one example that still appears across our Victorian style pieces. We describe the motifs we carve and leave the meanings to history.
What carries across all three
- Strong colour, in deep blues, greens, reds and purples.
- Ornament: beaded edges, twisted borders and layered detail.
- Motifs from classical history and from nature.
- Pearls as accents and drops.
Victorian style at RingDesire
More of our titles say Victorian than any other style. The word describes a look, and every piece is newly made by hand to order. Here are a few, from across the collections.
- Earrings. Blue intaglio glass earrings with Victorian pearl dangles, red laurel intaglio earrings with Victorian dangles and red rectangular intaglio earrings in a Victorian style show the colour-rich side of the style.
- Necklaces. A red intaglio pendant necklace in a Victorian style is simple to wear. For a darker mood, there is a black intaglio necklace in a Gothic vintage style.
- Rings. A blue intaglio cocktail ring in a Victorian style puts one large carved stone on the finger.
You can see everything in the jewellery collection, or go straight to the earrings, necklaces and rings.
How to wear a Victorian style piece
- Pick one piece to lead. Victorian ornament is busy, so a single earring pair, pendant or ring carries the look.
- Let the colour work. A deep blue, green or red stone is the heart of the style. Keep the clothes plainer.
- Choose by occasion. Smaller pairs and simple pendants suit the day. Longer drops and larger rings suit evenings.
- Mix with other eras carefully. Victorian style sits well beside Edwardian softness. Strong Art Deco geometry in the same outfit can compete.
For the periods that followed, read Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco? A Quick Guide to Jewellery Styles and Edwardian and Art Nouveau Jewellery.
Why the look keeps returning
Victorian style gives you colour, ornament and a story, all in a small piece. When fashion turns plain, people return to it for exactly those three things. It is also easy to wear in small doses: one pair of earrings, one pendant, one ring.
A note on age
Victorian style in our titles describes a look. It is not a claim that anything is antique. Every piece is newly made by hand to order and sent in a gift box, dispatched within 2 to 5 business days and arriving 15 to 20 days after you place the order, dispatch included.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three periods of Victorian jewellery?
The Romantic period (roughly 1837 to 1860), the Grand period (roughly 1860 to 1885) and the Aesthetic period (roughly 1885 to 1901). Sources vary a little on the exact dates.
Is all Victorian jewellery dark?
No. The dark, mournful mood belongs mostly to the Grand period, after Prince Albert's death in 1861. The Romantic and Aesthetic periods are lighter and more natural.
What colours are typical of Victorian jewellery?
Deep, rich colours such as blue, green, red and purple, often framed by ornate borders and small pearl accents.
Are your Victorian style pieces antique?
No. Every piece is newly made by hand to order. The title describes a look and not a date.
What came after the Victorian period?
The Edwardian period, which was lighter and more delicate, with pearls and garlands. Art Nouveau overlapped with both.