1 Antique Rock Crystal Necklace Earrings Set, Victorian – Edwardian circa 1900

This is a rare and well-preserved matched necklace and earring set dating to the late Victorian–early Edwardian period, circa 1895–1905. The necklace is composed of finely faceted clear rock crystal beads, approximately 6.5 mm in diameter, separated by small faceted black glass (French jet) spacers. The beads are beautifully lively, with the dark spacers added to enhance their brilliance under gas lights, a design well suited to evening wear and optional half-mourning use. Such a set would have been with silk or velvet gowns, high collars, or lace bodices, for formal social events or the later stages of mourning, where refinement and discretion were expected.
The necklace measures 16.5 inches and retains its original waxed natural-fibre stringing (silk or linen), which remains tight and secure. It fastens with an original unmarked gilt spring-ring clasp with excellent, responsive action. Construction details — including a hand-fabricated rolled-sheet hollow jump ring — are consistent with late 19th-century Birmingham jewellery practices, predating later machine-made fittings.
The matching earrings each feature three graduated rock crystal beads (approximately 5.6 mm and 6.6 mm), with an elegant drop of about 0.9 inches excluding the ear wires. They are finished with well-preserved gilt shepherd’s hook ear wires, likely gold-filled, and are deliberately understated to balance the necklace.
The crystal beads were almost certainly cut in Bohemia, then assembled in England, most likely in Birmingham, where high-quality imported beads were commonly mounted and sold through jewellers around 1900. The combination of clear crystal and black spacers reflects the transitional moment when Victorian mourning conventions were relaxing but still visually influential.
While rock crystal itself is not rare, this set is notable for its survival in original condition, completeness as a matched ensemble, period-correct construction, and refined, wearable proportions. A tasteful and increasingly scarce example of turn-of-the-century semi-precious jewellery.
ITEM DETAILS:
ERA/STYLE Late Victorian - Early Edwardian circa 1898-1905
MEASUREMENTS Necklace: 16.5 inches, beads approx. 6.5mm. Earring drop: 0.9-inches (approx 20mm drop) not including the ear wires. Bead diameter: 5.6mm, 6.6mm.
MATERIALS Genuine rock crystal (quartz); French jet (black glass), gilt brass.
SIGNATURES/HALLMARKS None.
FASTENINGS Gilt spring ring, shepherd's hook earwires.
CONDITION Very good antique condition. The set is complete and unaltered, retaining its original threading, which remains secure. All original fittings and hardware are well preserved and in good working order.

PRESENTATION
All vintage and antique items are offered in good working order and are ready to be worn and enjoyed by their new owners.
Each jewel will be securely packaged and presented in a complimentary gift box, and accompanied by a dealer’s note documenting its history, period context, and a summary of our research.
If you would like to source a vintage and antique box, please get in touch, we would like to help. Normally, the vintage or antique boxes shown in photographs are for display purposes only and are not included unless explicitly stated in the listing.
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RETURNS & REFUNDS
We offer a ‘no quibble’ returns policy: if the item is not 100% right for you, please notify us via Ruby Lane within 14 days of receipt, and return the item within 30 days for a full refund of your original payment.
In the unlikely event that an item is lost in transit, you will be fully refunded.
Many thanks,
Alice xx