I just adore bracelets much as the ladies did in the 1800’s. It was not uncommon for a lady to wear multiple bracelets on each arm. The Victorian metal of choice was gold. Slide style bracelets were popular and often worn in pairs.
Victorian Slide Bracelet
Slide Bracelets were adjustable so as to accommodate most any size wrist. One would slip the section of chain over the wrist and adjust it by sliding the tasseled end away from the wrist.
Mid 19th century bracelets tend to have a bold look. The bold look of the jewels balanced the large voluminous skirts that were in fashion. Although Victorian jewelery looks bold it is not heavy. It has a light weight feel .Gold was rare. Jewelers utilized a variety of methods to work the thin sheets of this precious metal so as the finished jewels would have an important look. Although gold was discovered in California in 1849 it was not untill1874 that it was discovered in the Black Hills and than as late as 1898 in Alaska. 
Later Victorian bracelets begin to take on a lighter more delicate look. The metal is pierced and visually light. Styles change as does jewelery design to enhance the newest fashions.
Antique Pierced sapphire and Diamond Bangle
An era was ending and a new one was beginning.
Turn of the century bracelet
Victorian Woven Mesh Bracelet Victorian bracelets from the 1800s are great fun to collect and wear. You do not often see exact copies of items unless they were originally made to be worn as pairs.
If you like to wear unique and usual jewelery, Victorian bracelets are for you! Happy collecting !
