The fashion for Victorian Jewellery, started in the Georgian era, but became really popular during the Victorian period (Period of rule of Queen Victoria). As the process for white gold had not been adopted by that time, silver was used in the jewellery due to its brilliant white shininess along with precious gems like diamonds, emeralds, rubies etc. The silver offered a white reflective background for bringing out the whiteness & sparkle in diamonds particularly. Often some elements or parts, especially those that would touch the skin or clothes, of the jewellery were also made in Gold. Overtime, these antique pieces would develop the black oxidized silver patina for which victorian jewellery has become famous and loved by so many. This style of jewellery is still made and often with an oxidized patina for this niche group of connoiseurs of victorian style jewellery.