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Early Victorian Drop Earrings

EARLY VICTORIAN STYLE

Also called Romantic period jewelry, antique early Victorian jewelry and watches were a celebration of the young monarch’s love.

When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. While this may seem a bit simple for our contemporary tastes, the serpent symbolizes eternity, and has become a popular motif in jewelry. The tail in the serpent’s mouth forms an unbroken circle. This dewy-eyed happiness trickled down to the masses and men and women favored jewelry that was sentimental and full of symbolism. Today, antique Victorian jewelry is very coveted and highly collectible.

Romantic period jewelry tends to be feminine and ornate. Flowers, hearts, birds, and bows were just some of the common decorative motifs. These pieces were embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise. It was common to express your devotion with jewelry — REGARD and DEAREST rings were particularly popular. These rings were set with stones that corresponded to each letter: Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond.

Most often, the design of the ring was simple, with the stones going across the shank of the ring in a line, but it was not uncommon to see a REGARD ring in a flower formation, with each stone set in the petal of the flower.

Another common early Victorian ring style was two hands clasping a flower or stone. They came in many styles and were made of coral and ivory but also of gold with precious and semiprecious gemstones. These rings, while not exclusively Victorian, are often associated with the time period and symbolized friendship. Lockets enclosed with hair, cameos depicting cupid or a loved one’s face and enamel pieces were also popular.

The early Victorian period corresponded with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Jewelry, no longer made only by hand, became more affordable during the 19th century. The growing middle class also helped increase the demand for it. This was reflected in how women styled their jewelry; they were not afraid to adorn themselves from head to toe with stacking and layering in between. Considering the time period (this was before the California Gold Rush), a lot of pieces in the Romantic period were made using low-karat gold or were gold-plated. Fine gold wire was also employed frequently to add to the design. This is a nice trick to know when determining the date of Victorian jewelry.

Find a range of antique Romantic period brooches, necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

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Style: Early Victorian
An Early Victorian Gold Turquoise Floral Suite
Located in London, GB
An early Victorian gold turquoise floral suite, consisting of a necklace, brooch and a pair of earrings, the necklace with three graduated sections of vine leaves and five forget-me-...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold

A Micro Mosaic Pendant and Earring Suite
Located in London, GB
An early nineteenth century Italian micro mosaic pendant and earring suite, to the centre a swimming duck surrounded by red, blue and white micro ...
Category

1840s Italian Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Early Victorian Cameo & Enamel Earrings
Located in Stroud, GB
Exquisite mid Victorian cameo and enamel earrings, circa 1850s. Beautifully designed and incredible hand-carved individual cameos of two goddesses are set with a wonderfully high re...
Category

1850s British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Agate, 9k Gold, Enamel

Demi-parure Victorian brooch-pendant with earrings, Great Britain, 1820s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Early Victorian 14K gold demi-parure in the original case Brooch-pendant with space for a photo or a lock of hair + drop earrings An example of sentimental jewelry in the early 19th ...
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1820s British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

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14k Gold

Antique Carved Bone Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
These antique carved bone drop earrings are a rare find— I've never seen a pair quite like these. What makes them special is the intricacy of the h...
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Early 19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Gold-filled

Antique Repoussé Garnet and 18K Gold Earrings
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Elegant 18 karat gold repoussé scrolling and articulated earrings from early 19th Century. The design reminds me of the lyre harp and set with beautiful faceted garnets. Which have different cut styles - oval, round and teardrop cuts and the gold around the garnets has a mille griffe design. The earrings showcase 18 garnets bezel set in this lovely mille griffe design. These types of earrings were typical of the romantic era of the Georgians and Victorians. During the Grand Tour in 18th century, the lyre is a popular symbol in antique jewelry and refers to music and 'heavenly' love. It was seen as an attribute of Apollo, the god of music, poetry and dance of the Ancient Greeks. The earrings are for pierced ears and the ear hook goes backwards through the ear and closes on top of the earrings. For this type of repoussé earring...
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Early 19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 14k Gold Enamel Repousse Earrings
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Fabulous pair of Antique Victorian 14K Gold Enamel Repousse Earrings from circa 1850-1860. These are truly stunning in person, with the glam...
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Mid-19th Century European Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

14k Gold, Enamel

18ct Gold Filigree Vintage European Earrings
Located in London, GB
Beautiful 18ct Gold Filigree Earrings Rare Goldsmiths work Marked a crown shape, c 18 and another mark on the earring hooks. Era 1960s -1970s
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Late 20th Century Portuguese Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Gold

Antique Drop Down Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Denver, CO
This antique earring set features thirty-six rose cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.50 carats set in darkened silver over 18kt yellow gold in classic late Georgian/early Victoria...
Category

1840s Unknown Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Style Garnet Yellow Gold Medallion Drop Earrings
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Rich deep red garnet gemstones accent this tastefully ornate pair of antique style fourteen karat (14k) yellow gold drop earrings. Secured by a decorative post , these medallion shap...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Early Victorian Hunt & Roskell 1.82 Carat Diamond Turquoise Gold Jewelry Set
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine early Victorian 18 karat yellow gold, 1.82 carat diamond and turquoise jewelry set (bracelet, brooch and earrings); part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This exceptional antique turquoise jewelry set, consisting of a brooch, bracelet and earrings, is handcrafted in 18k yellow gold, with 9k yellow gold fastenings and settings. The impressive bracelet has a substantial 18k yellow gold interlinked snake style wristband which secures to the reverse with a push fit catch and fine link security chain. The anterior face of the bracelet is ornamented with a circular design incorporating a subtly domed turquoise panel accented with an applied six point 9k yellow gold star embellished with nineteen old cut diamonds, graduating in size, totaling 0.54 Ct. The turquoise is encircled with an applied, interlacing rope twist decorated frame, which is encircled with a fancy rope twist border. The brooch has three components: the body, a detachable circular design and associated articulated drop. The body and detachable component both reflect the dominant star embellished turquoise motif, terminating with an articulated tear drop turquoise accented with a bezel set diamond. The main body of this impressive early Victorian brooch contains a locket to the reverse, suitable to hold a photograph or personal memento. The brooch secures to the reverse with a hinged pin, and incorporates a suspension hook for the detachable drop. The earrings also feature the turquoise and star design displayed within an 18k yellow gold circular articulated drop suspended from a hallmarked screw style fastening, the anterior face of which is ornamented with a turquoise and diamond fitment. These versatile 0.52 Ct diamond earrings may be worn on non-pierced ears. The set is supplied with three independent diamond grading report cards, one for each component. This exceptional 1860s turquoise jewelry set is fitted to the original impressive leatherette, shaped presentation case which has a velvet and satin lined interior. The maker's/retailer's mark Hunt & Roskell, late Orr & Mortimer, Jewellers and Goldsmiths to The Queen* reflects the fine quality of the set. *NOTE Hunt & Roskell (1843 – 1897) Jewelers and Goldsmiths to Queen Victoria, were, and still are recognized as one of the richest and best known silversmithing concerns of the Victorian era. Condition The pieces of this exceptional Early Victorian turquoise jewelry...
Category

1860s British Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Exceptional Long Victorian Cut Steel Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Rare Victorian Cut Steel Earrings in graduated hoop motifs with fringed edges. Exceptional quality, scale and design in original condition with scr...
Category

1860s French Antique Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Cut Steel

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Vintage 1960 Demi Parure Clip-on-Earrings Brooch 14 K Brushed Gold Citrines
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Victorian Mine Cut Diamond Enamel Earrings 14 Karat Gold Dangle Drop Earrings
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Cut Steel Triple Star Drop Earrings, circa 1840
Located in Baltimore, MD
This a fabulous pair of triple star form cut steel earrings, circa 1840. Cut steel was a fascinating jewelry genre which became a cottage industry in 18th century England. Its manufa...
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Victorian Old Cut Diamond Drop Cluster Earrings Set in Silver on Gold
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A beautiful pair of Victorian diamond drop earrings set in silver on gold (18k). Although over 100 years old (estimated to be from the 1880's) the pair are in immaculate condition ...
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Victorian Style Opal Gold Medallion Earrings
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Iridescent opal gemstones accent this antique style fourteen karat (14K) yellow gold pair of drop earrings. Fashioned in an attractive medallion shape the opal stand out against the ...
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