Better with Age - Victorian Jewelry

We recently purchased this exquisite onyx and pearl pendant that dates back to the Victorian era. Queen Victoria ruled England from 1837-1901, and still holds the record for the longest reign of any British monarch. It is common to have fashion movements named for the British monarchs, as they were the primary trendsetters of their time.

Victoria’s long reign meant that the jewelry created during her rule went through several different aesthetic phases. This period also introduced the mass production of jewelry, which made it more readily available in a wider range of designs than was previously possible.

This particular piece is from the end of the 19th century and is classified as “Mourning Jewelry”. When Victoria’s husband Albert died in 1861, she went into mourning for the rest of her life, wearing nothing but black until the day she died. As the nation mourned with the queen, a new style of dark, primarily black, jewelry was born. Mourning jewelry utilized heavy, dark stones such as jet and onyx, as well as garnets and black enamel to create a very dark and somber look. Although some of this jewelry was mass-produced, surviving pieces are well-made and do have a niche following. Print this post