1837 - 1901

This refers to the lengthy reign of Queen Victoria. It was a period of great change and this was reflected in  the jewellery, which took some of the Georgian themes and elaborated on them, as well as introducing some of it's own.

Naturalism continued to influence jewellery throughout the era with replicas of grapes added to the fold. The serpent also made it's appearance at this time emerging as necklaces and bracelets in the 1840s as well as houseflies, bees, spiders, hummingbirds and scarab beetles in the 1870s.

Sentimentalism was still prevalent and mourning jewellery, made from onyx, jet and black enamel, followed this path with many items of jewellery holding a lock of hair. Conversely, there was a major interest in the art of the Renaissance, which paved the way for colourful designs fashioned from enamel.

The late Victorian period was a time of wealth and prosperity and consequently demand for jewellery with diamonds and precious gemstones was high. The Kimberly Mines in South Africa had just been discovered and the production of diamonds rose at an incredible rate. Sentimental jewellery went one step further with hearts, bows, lovers knots and horseshoes coming through. Sports also started to play a major role in Victorian life and this filtered through to jewellery with hunting crops, golf clubs and other such sporting pursuits showing up as brooches and cuff links. 9ct gold was the gold of choice for everyday jewellery, whilst 15ct and 18ct gold was generally reserved for gem set jewellery.

Stones used: Diamonds, sapphire, rubies, emeralds, amethyst, peridot, aquamarine, garnet, pearls, turquoise, opal