Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: English (86)

Rare Georgian "Dear-Regard" ring set in 15K gold. The center motif of a flower is set with a "R"uby, "E"merald, "G"arnet, "A"methyst", "R"uby, and "D"iamond, the first letters of the stones spelling "Regard". The groups of stones on the cusps of the band are set with a "D"iamond, "E"merald, "Amethyst", and "R"uby, the first letters of the stones spelling "Dear". Historically the rings given as a token of love were either "Dearest" or "Regard". This ring is a combination of both sentiments.

Delightful 18K hand over heart fede ring. - the word fede means faithful. The Victorians were fond of such romantic sentiments. The ring has a tiny diamond set on the ring finger of the gold hand, a lovely and surprising detail. The ring is a US size 8 1/4.

This C1870 Victorian necklace features 9K hand crafted solid gold beads strung on a gold chain. It is the perfect piece for layering with an antique chain, or layering with another beaded chain as shown in our photos. (Other beaded chain seen in photo is also available on 1St dibs as a 18K gold bead necklace). The necklace is 16 inches long and weighs 24 grams.

Exquisite Victorian silver bangle bracelet enhanced with a raised floral motif in two color gold. This unusual and striking cuff can be worn alone or joined with other gold or silver bangles. The bracelet measures 1 1/2" wide and its interior measurements are 1 15/16 by 2 1/4. It has hallmarks for Birmingham 1885.

Our keeper ring once had hallmarks but they are worn off, so we are estimating this ring to be from the late 1890's. Our ring has plaited gold work on the underside, a work of art of itself. A "Keeper" ring is a snug fitting ring worn to prevent the loss of a more valuable ring by keeping the larger ring from sliding off. Keeper rings were also known as magic, or illusion rings, because of the illusion created by rotating the band causing it to appear to widen, to narrow, then to widen again...

Our substantial 18K Victorian buckle ring is hallmarked London for the year 1894 has two star set cushion cut diamonds set securely flush with the band. The clean and simple design of the ring makes it wearable for hand washing and most daily activities. Buckle rings were popular in the Victorian era. As it was the Queen's order, Victoria wore the symbol of the garter in the form of a buckle bracelet or buckle ring on her arm, as she obviously could not show the garter on her leg...

Our C1780 muff chain has an unusual link in the shape of bows. These hand forged bow links continue all around the chain. Georgian muff chains were worn by women who would attach a muff to the chain to conveniently keep their hands warm and the chain was designed to allow the muff to fall at just the right place. This is why original muff chains were always long (shorter chains were generally part of a larger muff chain that has been cut down to make 2 or 3 necklaces)...

Classical Victorian hallmarked bangle bracelet with three rows of tiny fleurons and X shaped patterns running horizontally across the bangle with reeding in between. Our bracelet is hallmarked 1883 Birmingham and is in pristine condition. It is approximately 1/8 inch deep, 1 inch wide, and measures a fairly ample 7 3/4 inch in diameter, suitable for most any size wrist.

Our marquis shaped 18K ring, carved in the shape of the pointed oval and emblematic of the gothic arch, has twelve old-cut rubies and a central cabochon opal accented with rose diamonds. The ring is a "marquis within a marquis" in the way the rubies form the outside border of another border of gold trim, which forms a marquis shape that encloses the cabochon opal and accent diamonds...

Our glass earrings, in the form of a Latin crosses, are made of Vauxhall glass, popular as jewelry in the 1860's and sold along the pleasure Gardens in Chelsea, where courting couples strolled on summer evenings. Made by skilled artisans who were employed by the Vauxhall Glass Company in an effort to make use of the leftover glass shards from the mirror glass they produced, the jewelry was much loved for the skillful carving of the glass into unique and creative forms...

Lovely 18K five stone opal ring with five perfect blue-tinged translucent Australian opals set in an embellished gold setting. Eight tiny diamonds nest between the opals. The ring is hallmarked Sheffield and dates to 1870. This is the opal ring you have been looking for. It is a size 8 3/4.

Though the hallmarks show it to be of the Victorian era, this memorial band was made in the Regency style of the earlier part of the century. It is hallmarked for Birmingham, 1863. The words IN MEMORY OF are carved to the outside of the band along with raised religious and mourning imagery including Maltese crosses and fallen leaves. The gold-work is heavily chased. This ring was probably made as an advance order but never inscribed...

We love these royal blue mirror glass earrings which shine a brighter Bristol blue with the slightest head movement. the beveled hand carved edge is a lovely detail which was clearly time consuming for the maker. The plate glass factory at Vauxhall was known for its production of mirror glass, but in addition, the company employed skillful artisans to produce jewelry out of the remaining shards. Thus was created Vauxhall glass jewelry, much loved then and by collectors today...

The longest watch chain we have ever come across, this authentic Sterling Victorian slinky watch chain has an unusual link. Victorian watch chains were worn by women, as well as men, to hang a watch, which would snap into the end of a long chain and tuck into a pocket or a belt at the waist. (This is why original watch chains were always very long. Shorter watch chains are part of a larger chain that has been cut down to make 2 or 3 necklaces)...

his is an original nineteenth century sterling watch chain with a substantial square shaped link called a Venetian or box link. Closeup photos reveal the interesting interlocking pattern of the links. A great deal of ingenuity went into making chains, and there is nothing like an original long Victorian watch chain that has never been chopped up into shorter chains, but retains its original length. If you favor chains that are fabricated by hand, this chain is a real find...

HM 1905 18K Diamond Knot Ring. Antique 18K and diamond-studded lover's knot ring hallmarked for Birmingham, 1905. Lover's knots were a Victorian motif that continued in popularity through WWI. Our lover's knot ring has three old mine cut diamonds embedded securely within incised stars set in gold squares. The figural knot can be seen on the underside of the ring and is as beautiful as the front. The ring can be sized and is a US size 9.

Wonderful brightly colored half hoop ring of the classic Victorian 5 stone design consisting of 3 emeralds and 2 amethysts.

This slithering 18K gold snake ring with diamond eyes is a delight to wear. The snake motif, in this case, a snake eating it tail, an ouroboros, was first popularized in Victorian jewelry as a symbol of eternal life and eternal love. Queen Victoria's engagement ring was a snake. Our snake ring can be worn with the snake head looking down or up, whatever you prefer. The ring is hallmarked London, 1904. The ring is a US size 6 1/2.