Locket Of Jewels - Victorian English 8K Rose & Yellow Gold Natural Pearl Glass Locket Pendant & Chain (VICP117)

Locket Of Jewels - Victorian English 8K Rose & Yellow Gold Natural Pearl Glass Locket Pendant & Chain. This wonderful locket is crafted from 8K Rose and yellow gold, tested and confirmed. The chain is crafted from 14K gold filled rose gold, hallmarked 1/20 14K GF. The locket features 24 natural pearls, 17 freshwater pearl, one natural watermelon tourmaline, Victorian era styling, and high quality craftsmanship. This precious locket is comprised of an exquisitely detailed and glass yellow gold frame, which is enclosed with a glass locket. The back of the piece is made of a polished rose gold frame, and a glass hinged locket, which opens and closes easily and securely. The locket most likely was a mourning locket, which would have had a locket of a loved ones hair, or a portrait (photograph). The pendant is adorned by rare silvery-grey natural pearls and an enclosed collection of jewels inside the locket. The chain is an antique belcher design, displaying a lovely rose gold color. The chain features a spring ring clasp in perfect working order. This exquisite Victorian era locket is in superb condition and truly a piece to be cherished and enjoyed for many years to come. 

Comments: Stunning and unique locket from the Victorian era. 

Note: Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the value of antique jewelry.  Appraisal included with the locket. Appraised at $2500.00 CD (Tax Excluded) 

History: Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

Rose gold was first used in early 19th century Russia by the famed jeweler Carl Faberge in his famous Faberge Eggs, as was known as Russian Gold. Rose gold later gained popularity in the United States during the lavish and feminine 1920's, and was worn in engagement rings and fine jewelry.

Pearls were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome, pearl jewellery was considered the ultimate status symbol. So precious were the spherical gems that in the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling classes.

The oldest known pearl jewelry was discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died in 520 BC. Because natural pearls were so rare throughout history, only the richest nobles could afford them. During the Byzantine Empire, rules dictated that only the emperor was allowed to wear these treasured gemstones.

Desirable natural pearls are extremely rare, and hence are quite prohibitively expensive. In fact, only one in approximately 10,000 oysters not in farms will ever produce a pearl, and of those, only a very small percentage would ever yield a gem that is the right shape, size and color of something desirable.

First discovered at the Dunton Quarry in Newry in 1902, watermelon tourmaline crystals are composed of a large core of deep red tourmaline surrounded by a rind of green tourmaline. George Howe, a renowned Maine naturalist gave the gem its name.

The early history of the locket is linked to that of reliquary jewels. These small pendants were made to contain holy tokens such as fragments of bone or hair from a martyred saint. Faithful Christians believed that these relics could heal the sick and perform miracles.

In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the reign of Queen Victoria, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Slightly different definitions are sometimes used.

Measurements: Locket Pendant. (Including Bale) 31.00 mm x 22.00 mm  Chain 18"

Stone Size: Natural Pearls 1.50 mm x 3.00 mm        Freshwater Pearls 2.00 mm  Watermelon Tourmaline 6.00 mm x 4.50 mm 

Weight: 5.46 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: England 

Date: Circa 1880