The Importance of Jewellery During the Roman Reign

There is an incredible amount of history behind jewellery, and this is part of what makes it so prestigious and sentimental. Throughout history, jewellery has been worn as a statement and as a sign of wealth and status.

The Roman Empire, which traditionally dates from 27 BCE and continued in the West until 476 CE, reached its greatest territorial extent around 117 CE, controlling vast areas across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

The Romans were revolutionary for their time and conquered enormous territories. The reason for mentioning this is the importance jewellery held within Roman society. Higher social and political status could often be reflected through clothing, precious metals and jewellery. It was an effective way of demonstrating wealth, influence and position.

Women during the Roman period also wore jewellery extensively. Particularly among wealthier Roman families, jewellery could demonstrate the prosperity and social standing of the household.

Well-established families could own jewellery incorporating precious gemstones and colourful stones, with gems such as ruby, sapphire and emerald remaining highly desirable today.

Interestingly, some of the gemstones admired thousands of years ago continue to be among the most popular gemstones in modern jewellery.

This demonstrates just how timeless jewellery can be.

Other areas of fashion can change dramatically over relatively short periods. Clothing is perhaps the clearest example, with styles from different centuries immediately recognisable. Jewellery, however, has retained many of the same fundamental forms and purposes for thousands of years.

It could therefore be argued that jewellery is one of the most timeless forms of personal fashion in human history.

Jewellery and Its Role in the Royal Family Through History

For centuries, the British Royal Family has used jewellery not only for adornment but also as a language of power, tradition, love and symbolism.

From medieval crowns to Queen Elizabeth II's iconic tiaras, royal jewellery has shaped fashion, influenced trends and preserved history through precious metals and gemstones.

Each piece can tell a story of marriage, diplomacy, mourning, inheritance or monarchy.

In the early centuries, jewellery was a clear expression of authority. Crowns, sceptres and heavy gold chains symbolised wealth and royal power.

Gemstones such as rubies and sapphires were historically associated with protection, status and spiritual significance.

Tudor monarchs such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I used elaborate jewellery to project wealth, dominance and authority. These pieces were not simply decorative — they could also act as powerful political statements.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, jewellery became increasingly important in diplomacy and international influence. Jewels were exchanged between royal families and important political figures as gifts and symbols of alliances.

Diamonds became increasingly fashionable as cutting techniques developed, while brooches, portrait miniatures, pearls and other precious pieces were exchanged between powerful families and nations.

Today, royal jewellery continues to evolve.

Catherine, Princess of Wales has worn numerous pieces associated with Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II, continuing connections between generations of the Royal Family.

One of the most recognisable examples is Diana's famous sapphire engagement ring, now worn by Catherine. Pieces such as this continue to influence engagement-ring and jewellery trends around the world.

You can discover our own selection of engagement rings at Thomas Edward Jewellers.

The True Beginning of Jewellery – The Prehistoric Period

The inhabitants of prehistoric and ancient civilisations were wearing jewellery long before the Roman Empire.

During the Stone Age and Neolithic periods, before 3000 BCE, people created personal ornaments using materials available within their surroundings.

Jewellery wasn't always anything like what we recognise today.

Its earliest forms included shells, bones, teeth, stones and other natural materials, which could be pierced or attached to cord to produce ornaments very similar in principle to a modern necklace.

An Image of Prehistoric Jewellery Before 3000 BCE

The perceived importance of these pieces could partly depend upon how rare or difficult the raw material was to obtain.

Materials originating from unusual animals, distant locations or difficult environments could potentially have carried greater significance.

This tells us something fascinating about jewellery: rarity has influenced perceived value for thousands of years.

Although the materials, craftsmanship and methods have changed enormously, the desire to own something rare, beautiful or meaningful remains closely connected to the jewellery industry today.

Jewellery and Its Role in Victorian Britain

The Victorian era, lasting from 1837 to 1901, was one of the most influential periods in the history of jewellery.

Shaped by Queen Victoria's life, advances in craftsmanship and the social values of the period, Victorian jewellery continues to inspire modern jewellery designers and collectors today.

It was an age in which jewellery wasn't simply decoration — it could represent communication, sentiment and personal expression.

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria's personal life had an enormous influence on jewellery fashions.

Her relationship with Prince Albert, her period of mourning following his death and her interest in art and symbolism all influenced the jewellery worn throughout Victorian Britain.

Romantic motifs including hearts, bows, flowers and serpents became fashionable.

Prince Albert famously presented Victoria with a serpent engagement ring, contributing to the popularity of serpent jewellery during the period.

Among different levels of society, sentimental and personalised jewellery also became increasingly desirable.

Engraved pieces, lockets and jewellery containing personal messages allowed the wearer to carry something meaningful with them.

Personalisation remains an important part of jewellery today, and you can discover personalised pieces within theThomas Edward Jewellers collection.

Queen Victoria was capable of influencing trends throughout Britain and, in some cases, much further afield.

Following Prince Albert's death, mourning jewellery became particularly associated with Victoria's public image.

Dark materials and gemstones became fashionable, including onyx, jet and black enamel.

We continue to offer onyx jewellery today, with the gemstone remaining particularly attractive in men's jewellery and signet-style rings.

A Final Thought From Thomas Edward Jewellers

This article has been a pleasure to put together and share with anybody interested in the fascinating history behind jewellery.

I found the research involved particularly interesting, and developing the article has also helped refresh and expand my own knowledge of how jewellery has evolved through different periods of history.

What becomes clear is that while manufacturing techniques, materials and fashions have developed enormously, the fundamental reason people wear jewellery has changed remarkably little.

Jewellery represents memories, relationships, achievement, status and sentiment.

I hope you enjoy reading this piece as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

FAQ

Was Jewellery More Prominent During Tudor or Victorian Times?

For members of the elite, jewellery could be particularly extravagant and important during the Tudor period.

During the Victorian era, however, jewellery became increasingly widespread and incorporated an enormous amount of sentiment, symbolism and personal meaning.

Both periods made an important contribution to the development of jewellery as we recognise it today.

Why Did Queen Victoria Love Jewellery So Much?

Queen Victoria's relationship with jewellery appears to have been closely connected with personal sentiment, symbolism and important moments throughout her life.

Jewellery represented love, marriage, family and later mourning.

Her influence helped popularise sentimental pieces including heart jewellery, symbolic jewellery such as crosses, engraved pieces and mourning jewellery.

Her choices influenced not only her own collection but the wider Victorian jewellery industry.

Why Are We Knowledgeable About the History of Jewellery at Thomas Edward Jewellers?

At Thomas Edward Jewellers, we believe it is extremely important to understand the history and meaning behind the products we sell.

Although jewellery has developed enormously throughout history, one fundamental aspect has remained almost unchanged:

sentimental value.

Jewellery has represented love, achievement, family, remembrance and important moments for thousands of years.

Understanding this helps us recognise the importance of every piece we sell and reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with the highest possible standard of service.