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What is Victorian Jewelry?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Victorian jewelry is jewelry which was either produced in the Victorian Era, or modeled after jewelry made during this period in British history. This era has had an immense cultural impact on Britain and cultures closely related to Britain, including nations which were British protectorates or colonies during this period. Many people associate the Victorian Era with romanticism, elegance, and a bygone era which reflects the innocence of a time before the immense cultural upheaval of the 20th century.

The Victorian Era lasted from 1837 to 1901. Queen Victoria set a number of style and fashion trends in Britain during this period, and this era is notably associated with very rigid rules of etiquette, formal modes of dress, and somewhat ornate and fussy home décor. With the expansion of British influence under Victoria, jewelry started to change radically, in no small part because the British gained access to diamond mines and other sources of minerals and metals which were incorporated into jewelry of the period.

The Victorian Age was an important era in British history.
The Victorian Age was an important era in British history.

Some Victorian jewelry is hand made, reflecting a very high level of artisan skill. Victorians commonly commissioned jewelry for each other as gifts, contracting the services of artisans to make brooches, rings, and necklaces. Other jewelry was fabricated in factories, using rudimentary techniques which often involved supervision by an experienced jeweler, unlike modern manufactured jewelry, which can be produced with minimal human influence. As a result, even machine-made jewelry from this era has a note of individuality.

Access to diamond mines under the rule of Victoria brought radial changes to British jewelry.
Access to diamond mines under the rule of Victoria brought radial changes to British jewelry.

Certain types of jewelry were especially common in the Victoria Era, and these items are regarded as quintessential examples of Victorian jewelry. Hair work, which is made from human or animal hair, was very common during this period, as were cameos. Mourning jewelry came into fashion during the Victorian era, and Victorian mourning jewelry is heavily collected. Victorian jewelry tended to be ornate and often heavily set with jewels, with less wealthy Victorians using glass in their jewelry.

Reproduction victorian diamond rings can offer a less expensive option for those who like the look of antique engagement rings.
Reproduction victorian diamond rings can offer a less expensive option for those who like the look of antique engagement rings.

The look of Victorian jewelry is quite distinctive. It tends to be heavy and elegant, with a lot of jet, diamond, and coral. To the modern eye, it has an old fashioned feel. Victorian style has such enduring popularity that several firms make reproduction jewelry which is modeled after or inspired by real Victorian jewelry. Reproduction jewelry tends to be less costly, because it is not an antique like real Victorian jewelry. Many of the fabrication techniques for hand made pieces are the same, reflecting the fact that metalsmithing has changed little over the centuries.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

pleonasm

@indigomoth - I hope they aren't modifying real Victorian jewelry!

Not only is it very expensive, but the handmade pieces should be considered works of art. I hate to think of someone gluing extra bits onto someone else's work of art, even if the artist is dead.

And there are so many people interested in buying authentic old jewelry. There are plenty of replications available for modifying if people must do that.

I guess I have a few pieces of Victorian enamel jewelry that I would never try to change, so I'm a little bit touchy on the subject.

indigomoth

Victorian style jewelry is quite popular at the moment among steam-punk enthusiasts. I don't think they use vintage Victorian jewelry usually, but just costume jewelry.

Often it gets spruced up a bit with some gears or other bits of metal added to it, or other things like feathers or velvet. You can find some really nice examples on the internet.

But I've also seen people in steam-punk costume just wearing straight Victorian jewelry that hasn't been modified, and relying on the rest of their clothes to make a statement.

I think it's quite an interesting and elegant trend, although I've never actually dressed that way myself.

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    • The Victorian Age was an important era in British history.
      By: lukas555
      The Victorian Age was an important era in British history.
    • Access to diamond mines under the rule of Victoria brought radial changes to British jewelry.
      By: kentoh
      Access to diamond mines under the rule of Victoria brought radial changes to British jewelry.
    • Reproduction victorian diamond rings can offer a less expensive option for those who like the look of antique engagement rings.
      By: Halfpoint
      Reproduction victorian diamond rings can offer a less expensive option for those who like the look of antique engagement rings.