| The beauty of Victorian jewelry is unlike that of | | | | that jewelry made toward the end of her reign is |
| any other time period: it's classically ornate, yet | | | | black and is referred to as "mourning jewelry." |
| delicately detailed. As with the fashion, | | | | Why? Because of the unexpected death of |
| architecture, and decor of the time-period, | | | | Victoria's husband Albert in 1861. This sent her |
| Victorian jewelry is very complex in its | | | | and her entire nation into mourning. As a result, |
| symbolism, sentiments, and design. Whereas | | | | jewelry of black enamel, jet, and onyx was in |
| Edwardian jewelry was made with white gold, | | | | high demand during the end of the 19th century. |
| Victorian jewelry utilizes colorful gemstones set | | | | Victorian jewelry is usually divided into three |
| on yellow or rose gold a variety of different | | | | stylistic periods: the Romantic Period, the Grand |
| styles, metals, and gems. Thus, almost no two | | | | Period and the Late/Aesthetic Period. All jewelry |
| pieces of Victorian jewelry are alike. | | | | of the Victorian era can be recognized by three |
| But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, | | | | key components: first, there is a strong focus on |
| we need to get to know Queen Victoria herself | | | | figurative motifs and sentimental subject matter, |
| because it's impossible to understand her | | | | second, it is composed of unusual materials, |
| namesake jewelry without knowing at least a little | | | | techniques, and non-precious stones, and lastly, it |
| about her. She ruled England from 1837 until 1901 | | | | is made of production manufactured metal. Some |
| (these are the years now referred to as the | | | | of the most attractive and expensive Victorian |
| Victorian era), which was the longest reign of any | | | | jewelry is in the Etruscan style, which uses a |
| English monarch. Victoria had a very romantic | | | | granulation technique to produce minute gold |
| nature, which is easily seen through her love for | | | | beads soldered onto the body of a piece. |
| her husband and motherly devotion to her | | | | Victorian jewelry is popular among today's |
| children. These loves inspired an abundance of | | | | collectors and may often be found at antique |
| sentimental motifs in the jewelry that was made | | | | stores or online auction sites for a variety of |
| during her reign as queen. Some of these motifs | | | | prices. Often, Victorian jewelry is handed down |
| include hearts, bows, flowers, birds, and romantic | | | | from mother to daughter through the generations. |
| sayings. Victoria especially loved nature and | | | | However you obtain your Victorian jewelry, you |
| gardening, and much of this love reflects in her | | | | are sure to love it and prize it as a reflection of |
| jewelry. Any observant jewelry collector notices | | | | the beauty and wealth of its namesake. |