What did Victorian earrings look like?

Early Victorian earrings were long, light gold drops. Mid Victorian earrings were larger and bolder, with pendants, fringes, cameos and Etruscan revival gold. Late Victorian earrings were small studs and clusters, often of diamonds and pearls.

What is Victorian jewellery made of?

Mostly gold, from 9KT to 22KT, with silver used to set diamonds. Common stones and materials include diamonds, natural pearls, garnets, turquoise, coral, amethyst, jet and enamel, as well as hair in mourning pieces.

How can you identify Victorian earrings?

Look for hook or hinged wire fittings, hand-chased gold, old mine or rose-cut diamonds in closed or silver-topped settings, and natural pearls. Style is the main guide, because small gold pieces of the period were often not hallmarked.

Can Victorian earrings be worn every day?

Pairs in gold with diamonds or garnets wear well. Natural pearls, coral and turquoise need more care, and long drops are best kept for occasions. Have old hooks checked by a jeweller for thinning before regular wear.

Victorian Earrings1837–1901

Victorian earrings from 1837 to 1901: long gold pendant drops, diamond and pearl clusters, coral and turquoise designs, and Etruscan revival earrings worked in fine granulated gold. Victorian style earrings remain among the most searched antique earrings on both sides of the Atlantic, prized for their movement and length. Many keep their original shepherd's hook fittings. See all Victorian jewellery or our collection of antique earrings.

5.0 by our buyers on Google · 4,000+ customers