A time of romance, sentimentality and symbolism, with jewellery featuring hidden messages and intricate details.
The Victorian era was a period of great change and innovation in the world of jewellery. Spanning from 1837 to 1901, the era witnessed an explosion of styles from romantic and sentimental to Gothic and grotesque. The use of jet, onyx, and coral in mourning jewellery became popular after the death of Prince Albert in 1861. The discovery of diamonds in South Africa in 1867 led to an increase in the use of diamonds in jewellery, and the popularity of gemstone cuts such as the cushion, rose, and old mine cuts. Victorian jewellery was also notable for its use of complex symbolism and allegory, such as snake motifs that represented eternal love or the use of flowers to convey hidden meanings. The period was marked by three distinct periods: the Romantic, the Grand, and the Aesthetic,
all of which had different motifs, metals, gems, and fabrication techniques. Popular styles included mourning jewellery, cameos, and lockets, and the use of diamonds and other precious stones continued. British jewellery from this period was imaginative, cheerful, and typically British, with a preference for enamel, brightly coloured flower and leaf shapes, and colourful gemstones. The jewellery made in this era featured the finest materials and was made by skilled craftsmen, making it some of the most valued antique jewellery for its quality and beauty.
