The Victorian age saw Queen Victoria reign for 64 years during
which time Edison invented the light bulb, Marconi invented the
telegraph and the Lumiere brothers ushered in the cinema. The
Czar of Russia abolished serfdom, Freud penetrated secrets of
the mind and Felix Hoffmann invented the aspirin. The Romantic
or Early Victorian period between 1837 and 1860 saw a new queen
with her vibrant young consort, she was madly in love and
reflected her passion in her metallic attire. Mirrored by the
court and the nation, gold mounted with enamel and gemstones was
the in-thing during the evening. Bold cabochon stones such as
garnets, agate and onyx were popular as were jewelry suites or
parures. Day wear comprised of coral, ivory, seed-pearls and
tortoise shell. Earrings were long and sensual around bare necks
while bracelets and bangles were often worn in pairs. Necklaces
were short often with a detachable stone that could be worn
separately as a pendant or brooch. An awakening interest in
naturalism heightened Vict