10K Gold Engine-Turned Mourning Locket with Braided Hair

A love letter to a departed soul, this tender piece manifests as an envelope that folds over a pearl studded arrow and is sealed with a forget-me-not flower. Circa 1870, this early Victorian brooch is cast in 14k gold with a beautiful acid wash matte finish. The forget-me-not, a sentimental image often seen in mourning jewelry, consists of a chrysoberyl cat’s eye surrounded by six old cut diamonds bead set into its petals. The whimsical arrow is encrusted with eight pearls that look beautiful against the matte gold. On the back of the brooch, a portrait of a woman is held in an oval frame. She has braided hair, wears beautiful jewelry, and was clearly very loved by the brooch’s original owner. The blue-grey cat’s eye has lovely chatoyancy that shimmers as it moves, making the piece even more magical. Chatoyancy is an optical phenomenon seen in certain stones, caused by light reflecting off of parallel needle-like elements within the stone, this is the cat’s eye effect.  In addition, the chrysoberyl has a trait known as adularesence—a milky sheen or glowing light that seems to come from below the surface of the stone. The effect is caused by layers of orthoclase and albite that reflect and scatter light. The brooch measures 2” x 3/4” and weighs 10 grams. The chrysoberyl measures 3.25 mm. The six natural old cut diamonds measure 2.25 and equal .15 of a carat...

A skinny marquise-shaped banded agate from the Great Northwest decorates the top of this elegant turn-of-the-century ring. The translucent banded agate creates a sliver or boat-like ...

It’s always good to have an extra long chain in your collection, and this 10k gold 52” long Edwardian chain is the perfect piece to wear multiple...

This bold Victorian coral choker is a show-stopper. The color of this piece is stunning, a beautiful natural salmon color, rich and mottled. Cor...

Era: Victorian Date: 1880s - 1890s Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Banded Agate Material Information Woven Hair Color: Auburn Style: Mourning Locket Them...

This antique 10k gold locket (circa 1890-1900) features scalloped design with a split pearl accent. The piece measures 1.7 inches from the top of the bail to bottom by 1.3 inches wi...

A charming Art Nouveau era locket (circa 1910) with alluring repousse flowers and a feisty dragon! The locket is solid 10k gold and has the initials "FPB" carved on the back. It ope...

This antique locket (circa 1890-1910) features a lion's head of 10k gold with a 0.12ct old European cut diamond in its jaws. The piece measures 2 inches from the top of the bail to ...