Antique Anemone Locket

I love the balanced and intricate design of this antique gold-filled locket. Crafted during the Victorian era, when floriography (or flower language, a well-developed symbolism to flowers) was widely employed, this locket features two anemone flowers with flourishing leaves and a curving row of 10 paste gems set down the middle. Anemone flowers close at night and open in the mornings, leading to the Victorian understanding that anemone represent anticipation of something imminently arriving. These flowers are also regarded as protective charms against evil and bad luck and symbols of love. The back of the locket is blank and could be engraved with a message or initials of your choice, should you wish. It comes on a new gold-filled cable chain, which fastens with a spring ring style clasp.

This locket is in very good antique condition. The locket opens easily and closes securely with a satisfying click. The paste gems have slight color variations from age typical of a piece such as this one. The floral motif at the front is crisp and clear. There has been a bit of discoloration and wear to parts of the gold-filled metal at the hinge and near the opening of the locket, which is at the top. The very back of the locket has a slight indent. As this is on the reverse side, it is not noticeable when worn. Please see photographs for more representation of condition.

What is “gold-filled?” Gold-filled jewelry is higher quality than gold-plated and lower cost than solid (alloyed) gold. Typically, gold-filled jewelry is required to have a 1/20th (or 5%) weight in gold (usually 14k,) which is affixed/bonded to all exterior portions of the jewelry item (which usually has a brass, or sometimes copper, core.) Gold-plated jewelry has no such standards and as a result usually involves a much thinner coating of gold. Gold-filled jewelry can last a lifetime without showing signs of wear and makes for excellent and durable everyday-wear pieces.

More details:

Locket: 38.0mm long (including bail,) 30.4mm wide, 5.5mm deep; chain: 18” long.

Very good antique condition

Gold-filled

12.0 grams

All purchases arrive in a gift box, wrapped with a ribbon.