Queen Victoria was a great fan of turquoise. She reportedly gave each of her ladies-in-waiting a portrait ring with her likeness surrounded by turquoise cabochons. During the Victorian period, wearing a piece of jewelry with the blue stones set in gold was considered almost a necessity in being well-dressed. The domed fronts of these earrings (most likely converted from cufflinks or buttons) feature turquoise cabochons of subtly varied hues.