Stylish jewelry inspiration from the Victorian era
Much of fashion is the recycling of popular trends to fit modern sensibilities. The same goes for jewelry trends. Designs you see now were probably inspired by jewelry artwork from decades or even centuries ago. With the Brian Gavin team's help, you can create a custom jewelry design to pay homage to your favorite historical fashion period.
The period
The journey through fashion history will begin in the Victorian era. So named for Queen Victoria of England, this period spans from 1837 to 1901 - the duration of her reign. There were three major fashion movements in this period, each heavily influenced by the advent of the Industrial Revolution. New technology and innovation made way for advances in clothing and jewelry. The three movements included the romantic, crinoline and bustle periods.
The jewelry
A popular trend during the Victorian era was the use of birthstones in engagement rings. Albert famously proposed to the queen with an emerald set ring, as the gem was her birthstone. The day before their wedding, Albert gave Victoria a sapphire brooch. The brooch inspired the fashion world of the time and similar designs became popular.
The Smithsonian holds a floral brooch made of silver and gold - which was a common trend during the era- that features six round cut sapphires. The ornate design rightly represents the romantic era when natural elements dominated the jewelry scene. A contemporary fashion trend blends metals into one piece of jewelry. When designing your custom jewelry, you can include organic patterns and mixed metals.
The crinoline or mid period of the Victorian era was a time of mourning, as Prince Albert had passed. Dark colors and stones came into fashion to display mourning. The bustle period returned to lighter colors, hoping to shake the chill of the past. The delicate designs were often inspired by previous eras, such as Egyptian, Roman, Gothic and Renaissance.
Modern take
To translate the Victorian era's fashion sensibility into modern-day jewelry, look at key identifiers. Gemstones of all kinds, especially birthstones, should be featured in your custom jewelry design. You may also want to incorporate floral elements and intricate metal work.
When Queen Victoria celebrated her 50-year anniversary on the throne, she wore a stunning necklace glittering with diamonds and pearls. The Brian Gavin team's Green Quartz Pendant is reminiscent of the design. The 4.5 carat center stone is surrounded by diamond petals resting in white gold. This piece would fit perfectly into a jewelry collection inspired by the Victorian era.
