Collector's Corner
Latest Estate Acquisitions:
The Glorious Victorian Age
11 - 04 - 2024
A Celebration
of Britishness
With interest in antique jewellery surging, our latest showcase of estate pieces offers a fascinating insight into a period that is steeped in British history: the Victorian age. Presided over by Queen Victoria, the years 1837 to 1901 marked a transformative period for Great Britain. Over the course of her 63-year reign, she would witness revolutionary breakthroughs in the arts and sciences that shaped the world as we know it today. Victoria’s style was also hugely influential on her subjects, with everyone wanting to emulate the petite but indomitable Queen.gacy.
Queen Victoria
Considered a fashion icon of her time, her mode of dressing and taste in jewels was much imitated in Britain and beyond. Setting the trend for white bridal gowns that went on to become a wedding tradition, her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840 captured the heart of a nation. Their deep love for each other, and Victoria’s openness to expressing it publicly, fuelled the rise of sentimental jewels embellished with romantic motifs.
A small but important segment of our Estate Jewellery Collection is devoted to period Victorian pieces, noted for their unique design, inherent beauty and investment potential. Their generosity of size is especially appealing to collectors, as is the quality of the workmanship. Highly valued in the Victorian age, master craftsmen took great pride in their work, and it shows in the intricacy and detail of all five jewels below.
Easily identifiable & more accessible than estate pieces from other eras, Victorian jewels are very attractive to collectors, who are drawn to their artistry, history & intrinsic Britishness.
Natural Pearl and Antique Diamond Brooch, circa 19th Century
Antique Oyster Shell Genuine Pearl & Diamond Pendant
Conchologists, or shell collectors, were quite popular in the Victorian era, and traders would open up shop in London to offer uncommon shells from far-off places. Throughout the 19th century, real pearls were also very sought after after being found by pearl divers in the Arabian Gulf.
A naturally occurring baroque pearl is clasped by a curling oyster shell in this magnificent silver and gold brooch, which blends both. Not to be overlooked are the old cut diamonds, which fall in shape between cushion and round cuts. Victorian diamonds were cut by hand using crude methods, unlike the homogenous diamonds of today. Great craftsmanship and expertise would have been needed to place them so that they pave the entire surface of the brooch.
Natural Pearl and Antique Diamond Brooch, circa 19th Century
Victorian Drop Earrings with Pearl and Diamonds
The Victorians’ penchant for pearls can be attributed to Queen Victoria. When her husband passed away suddenly in 1861, she went into severe sorrow and wore nothing but black, with the exception of her favorite treasure, pearls. This led to the long-standing tradition in the British Royal Family of wearing pearls to symbolize mourning. Natural pearls were much sought after then, as they are now, and jewelry was made to showcase their beauty. The focal element of these earrings is a pair of natural teardrop pearls that are suspended from clusters of old cut diamonds set in blackened metal.
Natural Pearl and Antique Diamond Brooch, circa 19th Century
Victorian Catherine Wheel Pendant/Brooch in Diamond
In honor of Prince Albert’s birthday in 1843, a shower of rockets burst into the London sky as part of a classic Victorian amusement spectacle known as fireworks. Six spokes of graduated and well-matched stones set in gold and silver encircle a two-carat round diamond, resembling a spinning Catherine wheel in antique brilliant cut diamonds. This multipurpose item comes with a pin converter that screws onto the back to turn it into a brooch.
Natural Pearl and Antique Diamond Brooch, circa 19th Century
Victoriana Diamond Cross Pendant
This exquisite diamond cross necklace, which dates to approximately 1880, is one of the biggest and most remarkable Victorian gems in our Estate Collection. The brilliantly matched diamonds are set in the shape of a cross, which in Victorian Britain represented a strong sense of dedication and faith. The craftsmanship is superb, with stylized diamond designs framing the cross and repeating throughout the length of the chain. It is presented in its original box.
Natural Pearl and Antique Diamond Brooch, circa 19th Century
Victorian Burmese Diamond and Sapphire Ring
This gorgeous Burmese sapphire and diamond ring is the only piece that is completely crafted in yellow gold, making it the epitome of Victoriana. Featuring a distinctive crown-shaped basket adorned with hand-engraved scrolls, the centerpiece features a stunning three-carat antique Burmese sapphire. Burma was well known in the Victorian era for its exceptional gemstone reserves and as a major supplier of quality sapphires. This vivid, beautifully saturated blue diamond is a good illustration of why Burmese sapphires are still so highly valued.
One thing unites all four of these pieces, as you will see: the diamonds are set in blackened silver. Jewelers could highlight the old cut diamonds’ whiteness while creating a dramatic setting for them by darkening the metal. It’s crucial that you avoid cleaning your Victorian jewelry yourself if you want to preserve its distinctive patina. Please only use our Cleaning Guide on modern Ronald Abram jewelry. Estate jewellery requires specialist cleaning; we invite you to visit our salon and we will be happy to assist you.
For any estate jewellery inquiries,
please contact us to arrange a viewing.
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