The image inside is a print only and is not to be considered in the value as you determine it, but is set there simply to show you the lovely old Victorian memento locket, either pendant or brooch (bale is hinged and folds down and away for use as a brooch). This is a personal favorite and right out of my own collection of antique jewelry. I'll be listing several really find lockets (brooches and pendant settings) from the Georgian to Victorian era in advance of the Holidays, since they make such perfect gifts for that someone special. The superb antique locket you see here has a moulded and highly polished convex glass set inside, (the original, of course), and a halo of seed pearls gathered to a ribbon bow at top that is further adorned by 3 very nice old diamonds. The center diamond is 4mm in diameter, so slightly less than 1/2 carat, and the 2 smaller flanking ones are each 3mm in diameter and echo the size of the seed pearls in the halo. This is a mourning jewelry item. The seed pearls are iconographically identified as the tears of the mourner; the diamonds as the brightest star of the departed as he/she takes his/her place in the Heavens. We would safely date this one to 1840s, give or take 10 years. It could very well be Georgian, but we can't be positive so will only mention that here and not in our title. As noted, the bale is hinged and can hide away for use as a brooch, but is there for versatility in wear.
Very good to excellent condition, I can point out only a single flaw and that being a pearl that is somewhat worn down, positioned at about the 10 o'clock position. Further, I will say that I believe this would have also had an inset to the back and was probably a hair art mourning item in its original form, but now is an open backed locket into which you can place your own memento, small photo, a painting, or lock of your own loved one's hair. One of the most stunningly beautiful of the genre - it's a gorgeous piece of jewelry you'll love to wear and own. The body of the mount is 10k yellow gold. The bale is 12k yellow gold. All tested, confirmed.
