Energized by the Crystal Palace exhibition of 1851, Victorian jewelers embraced an expansive view of design, seeking inspiration from ancient cultures, employing a profusion of colorful gems, and looking to the geometric forms of new machine tools for novel ideas. Bloomed gold, reverse-painted crystals, colorful cabochons carved or inset with diamonds, and knife-edge settings were among the innovations of this exuberant and jewelry-loving age that fully embraced technology and historicism at the same time. Victorians loved sentimental jewelry, elaborating on ever-popular designs such as twinned hearts, ribbon bows, crosses and acrostics, while creating a menagerie of gem-set creatures ranging from dogs and cats to snakes, lizards and butterflies. Often bold and surprisingly modern, Victorian jewelry has both a period allure and contemporary wearability.
