Simple Guide To Victorian Jewelry
Are you interested in antique jewelry or want to expand your collection? Consider learning more about Victorian jewelry. This era is the second oldest era among popular antique jewelry, and it may be very difficult to find authentic Victorian works.
In this blog post, you will learn:
·main features
·favorable stone cutting
·popular jewelry types in the Victorian era
This era, named after Queen Victoria, lasted from 1837 to 1900 during her reign. During that time, many events and revolutionary changes occurred. Industrial development, transportation, fashion, society and jewelry have all been affected and improved. In just 60 years, Europeans switched from riding carriages to driving cars and using electricity. In addition, with the emergence of the middle class, jewelry has become cheaper, but it still remains exquisite and beautiful.
Main features
The arrival of the industrial revolution has affected many industries, including jewelry. Contrary to the Georgian era, when everything was handmade, Victorian jewelers mostly used machinery to make jewelry and imprint the creator. Popular patterns include various animals, sports symbols, stars, hearts, dragons, lucky charms, Japanese, Egyptian, Roman and Moorish patterns. No matter what your style is, Victorian jewelry can meet your needs. In addition, women have become more independent and active, so they can no longer wear heavy and extravagant jewelry. Exquisite rings, bracelets and pins are gradually becoming popular.
Popular gemstones at that time were: diamond, emerald, amethyst, amber, gold emerald, malachite, garnet, turquoise, pearl, coral and quartz.
Advantageous stone cutting is:
· Convex circle: polished, dome, flat bottom.
· Rose cut: oval or round, with a dome at the top and a flat bottom.
· Old mining cutting: the shape is between round and square, with multiple facetings.
The popular type of jewelry in the Victorian period
sentimental jewelry - popular because of the courts and love stories of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Young lovers and marriages, as well as sentimental friendships and children, are worth remembering and reminding forever.
Clutch poetry jewelry - the unique arrangement of gemstones inlaid, the first letter of each gemstone spells out an elegant word.
Sliding chain and long chain - both are decorative chains, usually quite long, made of gold. The sliding chain is usually equipped with sliding rail accessories with gemstones, reliefs or unique metal products.
Mizpah and AEI Jewelry - Mizpah Jewelry is printed with the Hebrew Mizpah, which means "When we are absent from each other, the Lord guards between you and you". Similarly, the AEI on jewelry means Amity (friendly), Eternity (eternal), Infinity (infinity), which means that my love for you will last forever until infinity. Now and forever.
The Bottom Line
Queen Victoria passed away on January 22, 1901, yet her legacy lives on through the Victorian jewelry created during her 64-year reign. Her son, King Edward VII ascended the throne upon her death and reigned until he died in 1910. This era is considered “Edwardian'' in the jewelry industry. Authentic Victorian jewelry is extremely rare and hard to find these days and therefore very valuable. Keep in mind that the jewelry from this era is very sentimental and depicts love for a partner, a friend, a child, or a lost soul. These rare accessories would be the highlight of any collector's collection.