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 adorable 10k gold pin brings a little good luck when worn on a jacket or blazer! Set in the center of an oval, a four-leaf clover is carved with lovely hand engraved details and...

Circa the 1870’s or 1880’s, this 14k gold Victorian locket features a pearl quatrefoil flower element as its centerpiece. The floral adornment consists of 11 pearls delineated by a t...

Circa 1850, this 14k gold Victorian locket would have been worn as a reminder of a loved one. The forget-me-not flower was a meaningful symbol in Victorian jewelry. It has five petal...

I have a long-held fascination with Victorian hair art and mourning jewelry, and this piece is full of amazing details. In the 19th Century Europe a...

A fine late Georgian or early Victorian memorial gold-filled pendant with woven hair. With a coil of braided hair set behind glass in a filigree-worked gold-filled pendant setting. ...

A fine Victorian 14k gold mourning locket. The locket is fashioned as a pendant with finely textured 14K gold and black enamel to the front and a back section that houses a lock of ...

Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold Pendant Style: Locket Theme: Quilted Features: Smooth & etched finishes; Two photo frames Measurements Tall (from stationary bail): 31/32" (24.4mm...

Beautiful Antique Victorian 10K Yellow Gold Engraved Locket Pendant. This classic locket is crafted in 10k yellow gold. The locket is plain and has an en...

Beautiful Antique Victorian 10K Yellow Gold Amethyst Monogrammed Locket. This large oversized Victorian locket is in great condition and has an amethys...