Opals and Pearls

Going back hundreds of years the witches heart, with a tail that almost always twists to the right, was a piece of jewelry that had a purpose. Originally it was used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits, especially during childbirth and nursing. This style of heart had become so popular in Scotland in the 17th century that it was sold from small stalls or locked booths and so is sometimes also called a 'Luckenbooth'. By the time that this Witches heart was made in the 19th century, the meaning had changed somewhat as they were often given as tokens of love, to indicated that the wearer had ‘bewitched’ the giver!

This fabulous 9k Victorian Witches Heart brooch is set with a fabulous heart shaped citrine surrounded by seed pearls, and has the traditional crown motif above the heart. It was hand crafted in England or possibly Scotland around 1870 and has a lively glint of warm golden light from the fantastic hand cut citrine. This brooch measures 25.5 mm top to bottom and 21.2 mm across, it weighs 3.9 grams and though unmarked, it has been professionally acid tested for content.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

The witches heart, with a tail that almost always twists to the right, was a piece of jewelry that had a purpose. Originally it was used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits, especially during childbirth and nursing. This style of heart had become so popular in Scotland in the 17th century that it was sold from small stalls or locked booths and so is sometimes also called a 'Luckenbooth'. By the time that this fabulous Witches heart was made in the Victorian era, the meaning had changed somewhat and these double hearts were often given as tokens of love, to indicated that the wearer had ‘bewitched’ the giver!

This fabulous Victorian Witches heart brooch was hand crafted in England around 1870. The brooch is set with 33 well matched creamy white seed pearls. The pearls are slightly graduated in size from top to bottom ranging from approximately 1.9-2.5 mm. The brooch measures 30.2 mm north to south, 27.2 mm across and 2.6 mm deep. The brooch is hallmarked '15ct' and weighs 4.2 grams.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

You could wear this to opening night, get some curry before the show. There are a few good places along Shaftesbury Avenue, most offer a pre-show special. Wander, see what looks goods, what smells amazing. Yes, this would be perfect for opening night. Pair it with a simple black dress, that one that always comes out of the case with nary a wrinkle, those little green booties you brought because, well, you never know. Don’t have a chain the right length? That’s no problem, this one will look stunning on that length of silk cord which holds your jewelry bag shut, just don’t forget to put it back when you’re done.

Hand crafted Victorian locket, adorned with a garland motif. This wonderfully smooth and heavy locket opens to reveal two inner frames to hold your photos. The locket is set with 8 emeralds and 8 creamy white half pearls which are graduated in the garland. It measures 49 mm (2 inches) long including the lovely wide bale and is 30 mm (1.25 inches) wide. It opens easily and closes with a nice little snap. The locket weighs 14.1 grams and has been acid tested to verify that it is crafted in 18 karat gold.

A locket, a locket, a picture in your pocket (or around your neck). Enjoy the show!

I offer layaway on most items purchased for full retail price. In general my layaway terms are 1/3 down and 1/3 in 30 days and the last 1/3 in 60 days. I am flexible so if you are interested please ask me and we can work out a payment plan that suits you. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase on my lane. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

This fabulous necklace was made by the firm of Murrle Bennett and Company, an Anglo-German firm started by Ernst Murrle and J.B. Bennett, which produced pieces for retail by the store 'Liberty and Co.', the famous London Arts and Crafts dealers. The company was in existence from 1886-1914, this bracelet was most likely made around 1900. They specialized in high quality affordable silver and gold jewelry. They produced pieces predominately in the Art Nouveau style, and their designs were often characterized by abstract motifs typical of this movement, often comprised of Celtic inspired interlacing elements, stylized foliate forms, pierced geometric shapes, luminous enamels, and precious or semi-precious stones. After World War I, the company was renamed White Redgrove & Whyte. Murrle Bennett & Co jewelry is now highly sought-after and widely collected.

This antique Arts & Crafts amethyst and pearl silver hammered pendant was handcrafted around 1910. It was made by the famed Murrle Bennett and Company in England. A beautiful oval faceted amethyst sits at the center of this organic shaped silver motif with a natural drop pearl. The amethyst measures 11.5 x 8.3 x 6 mm and weighs approximately 3.04 carats. The chain length measures 18 inches and the pendant measures 41 x 24.5 mm. This piece weighs 7.1 grams. It bears two hallmarks, the first is a silver fineness mark that reads, “950”, the second mark is the Murrle Bennett maker’s mark, “MB c”.

This is the kind of jewelry that I love to wear. Murrle Bennett & Co. is one of my favorite designers, their Arts & Crafts style speaks to my artist’s heart. The clean lines, the bright and glowing faceted amethyst contrasting with a creamy pearl, it makes me not want to share it!

We offer a 3 or 4 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

Please note that our photographs are part of our description, please look carefully, we do not digitally alter our items. We always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase, and If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let us know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

In the Middle Ages, opals were rare and were considered to provide the possessor with great luck. It was thought that a stone which encompassed the colors of all the other stones would provide the same protection as all of them combined.

This Opal ring has a lot of style, and a lot of opals! Hand crafted in 9 karat gold, this vintage ring was made in London, England in 1971; it is fully hallmarked as such along with a makers mark of ‘BJ’. The ring is set with 9 opals, the center stone measures 9x7x3.1 and weighs about 1.11 carats the 8 smaller round stones are 3x1 mm each and add up to an addition .4 carats in opal. The cluster of opals are beautifully matched and prong mounted and provide a wonderful play of color in oranges, greens, blues, reds and violets. The face of this ring measures 16.8 mm north to south and 15 mm across, it sits 8.2 mm off the finger and narrows to 1.8 mm at the back of the band. This ring is a size 6.75 but could be resized to suit, it weighs 3.7 grams.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

Opals are rather fabulous things. I share a town with a wonderful shop that sells nothing but Opal jewelry. The owner travels the world (and mostly Australia) in search of the most amazing gems. I always like to take my recent vintage finds into his shop and show them off. He indulges me!

Hand crafted in Edwardian England, this wonderful ring is set with a stunningly beautiful blue/green opal of the most magnificent fire. The simple mount is perfect for this gem which measures 12.4 mm in diameter and weighs approximately 3.8 carats. The ring is crafted in 15 karat gold which has been plated with a white metal, probably palladium, at some point, a plating which gives it a white gold color. The face of this ring measures 13.3 mm north to south and across and it weighs 2.5 grams. This size 5.5 ring is unmarked but has been carefully acid tested.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

I was an imaginative child and was always enamored with animals of myth, the unicorn, the dragon, the cycles and minotaur. I greedily devoured books and movies like the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings; the Neverending Story was one of my favorites along with the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. So, I guess it’s not unusual that I would find myself drawn to jeweled representations of these beasts as a grownup!

This fantastic brooch depicts what is probably an Amphiptere, a type of winged serpent which is often seen in European heraldry; the Amphiptere is a beast with wings but no legs and the body of snake, usually covered in feathers. It could also be a Wyvern, but as it’s leg-less I’m thinking it’s likely an Amphiptere. The beast has a creamy white pearl clutched in its jaws. This wonderful piece measures 19.8 mm north to south and is 61.5 mm long, it weighs 8.5 grams. The brooch is marked on the pin stem and clasp, which is typical for French pieces, it bears the eagles head purity mark for 18 karat gold as well as a French makers mark.

This beautifully detailed brooch is finished front and back, it could easily be converted to a necklace upon request.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

In 1781, the British Army, led by Lord Charles Cornwallis, surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown in Virginia. It was October, 1871, the woods around Yorktown must have been bright with the oranges and reds of a Virginia Autumn as they rang with musket-fire. When the women came out to help the wounded, one or more of them may have been wearing a ring just like this one.

Hand crafted around 1780, this fantastic cross is set with six flat cut garnets set in 12 karat gold. It is further set with four natural river pearls. All of the garnets are deeply set with closed backs and care should be taken to keep this cross dry as the foil behind the stones can rust if it gets very wet. The stones average 7.5x6.5 mm and the cross overall measures 51.1 mm from top to bottom and 34.8 mm across. I couldn’t tell you where this one was made, I purchased it in London and it’s possible that it’s English in origin. This cross weighs 4.5 grams, it is unmarked but has been carefully acid tested.

This early cross is a real beauty and is loaded with history!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

This early ring has wonderful panache and a great play of color. The stones are green garnets backed with very early green glass, called doublets, done to enhance the color of the stones and make them appear this wonderful lush green. The ring is set with three doublets and six natural river pearls. This beautifully hand crafted ring is done in 12 karat gold and was probably made around 1850-60. The ring measures 12 mm north to south and 13 mm across at the face and sits 4.7 mm off the finger. This beautiful ring weighs 1.9 grams and is a size 6.6, it would be very difficult if not impossible to resize this one as it’s so lightly made and so old. This unmarked ring is locket backed, it would originally have held hair at the back. It is unmarked but has been carefully acid tested to verify the gold content.

A Message From Victoria: Hi everyone! If you visit my site often, you might note that I usually have a story to tell about my pieces. Well, I’ve accumulated a backlog of items and I’m too excited to get them to you to stop and write tales. So, I’m going to go with the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t worry though, I’ll get back to my usual descriptions soon. Watch this space!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

Whenever I go to list an item on my website, I select the basic outline of what it is from a saved drop down menu, Antique>Victorian>Fine>Locket for example. Just now when I went to put up these fantastic earrings, I realized that I didn’t have a saved menu for Art Nouveau earrings. This means that I’ve never listed a pair, that’s how rare and unusual they are!

These beauties were hand crafted around 1900 and are so wonderfully light and full of life and movement. Each one is set with a round faceted amethyst at the top and an oval faceted amethyst in the drop, the amethyst at the tops are .15 carats each and the oval ones are .25 carats each for a total weight in amethyst of .8 carats, the pearl drops measure about 2 mm each. The earrings are 39.5 mm from top to bottom and 10.2 mm across and are marked ‘9ct’ on the reverse for 9 karat gold. Together they weigh 1.7 grams.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations! 

There’s just something mystical about opals, as if they hold the secrets of the universe. This beautiful opal has strong yellow tones but flashes with blues and green, golds and oranges; it measures 6.2x5.7x2.9 and weighs about .6 carats. Flanking the opal on either side are stunning, bright Old European cut diamonds, each of which weighs about .42 carats for a total of about .85 carats. The ring is hand crafted in 18 karat gold and is fully hallmarked with the marks for having been made in Birmingham, England in the year 1881, it is further marked with ’18’ for the gold content. This ring measures 7.5 mm north to south and 15.5 mm across, it sits 5.4 mm off the finger. A large sized ring, this is a size 10.5 but could be resized somewhat to suit, it weighs 3.9 grams.

A Message From Victoria: Hi everyone! If you visit my site often, you might note that I usually have a story to tell about my pieces. Well, I’ve accumulated a backlog of items and I’m too excited to get them to you to stop and write tales. So, I’m going to go with the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t worry though, I’ll get back to my usual descriptions soon. Watch this space!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

The early years of the Edwardian era (and there weren’t very many as the period was very short) were marked by the use of wreaths and garlands in jewels and in art and fashion of the day, hence this period is often called by it’s other name, ‘The Garland Era’.

This fantastic Edwardian pendant indicative of the Garland Era, with it’s leafy center motif of creamy white pearls surrounding a glowing purple amethyst. The hand crafted pendant was made in England in about 1905 of 15 karat gold, and may originally have been a brooch, the 16 inch chain that holds it now as a drop is hand crafted of 18 karat gold and dates to about the same era, although it’s French in make. It’s a lovely conversion and so imminently wearable!

The pendant drop measures 34 mm north to south and side to side, it is marked to the reverse with ’15CT’ for 15 karat gold and the clasp of the chain is marked with French marks on the clasp including the eagles head purity mark for 18k gold. This piece weighs 6.5 grams.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

I have such a weakness for all things Art Nouveau that when I stumbled across this beauty on a lazy Sunday morning at a market in Mayfair, I didn’t even try to resist its charms. I snatched it right up and brought it home, just for you (and well, maybe just a little bit for me).

This fantastic English necklace is set with five oval faceted amethysts which add up to about 4.8 carats in total, the stones are a rich, deep purple in color. Hand crafted in about 1900, it is accented with four creamy white 2 mm diameter pearls. The necklace is a choker style and is quite short at 14.5 inches, I would be happy to have my jeweler add a bit of chain if you’d like it a bit longer. The necklace in made in 9 karat gold and is marked ‘9c’, it weighs 10.2 grams.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

I have an admitted weakness for French rings and this one had all the things I like best! I love a long ring first of all, add in some mixed metals and top it off with a sparkling diamond and I’m a happy girl.

This hand crafted ring was made in France around 1900. It is an 18 karat gold ring with platinum accents at the shoulders and platinum holding the diamonds. The center stone is a 3.5 mm rose cut and at the top and bottom are two creamy white pearls. This ring measures 16.4 mm north to south and 12 mm across, ti sits 3.9 mm off the finger and narrows to 2 mm at the back of the band. The ring is hallmarked at the back with the French eagles head mark which shows that it is made in 18 karat gold. This twist style ring is a size 7.5 and weighs 2.1 grams.

A Message From Victoria: Hi everyone! If you visit my site often, you might note that I usually have a story to tell about my pieces. Well, I’ve accumulated a backlog of items and I’m too excited to get them to you to stop and write tales. So, I’m going to go with the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t worry though, I’ll get back to my usual descriptions soon. Watch this space!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations! 

There’s just something mystical about opals, as if they hold the secrets of the universe. This beautiful opal has strong yellow tones but flashes with blues and green, golds and oranges; it measures 8.3x6x2.3 mm and weighs about .65 carats. Flanking the opal on either side are stunning, bright Old European cut diamonds, each of which weighs about .25 carats for a total of about .5 carats. The ring is hand crafted in 18 karat gold and while it has no hallmarks, it has been carefully acid tested. This ring measures 9.5 mm north to south and 13.8 mm across, it sits 5.1 mm off the finger. A large sized ring, this is a size 8 but could be resized somewhat to suit, it weighs 2 grams.

A Message From Victoria: Hi everyone! If you visit my site often, you might note that I usually have a story to tell about my pieces. Well, I’ve accumulated a backlog of items and I’m too excited to get them to you to stop and write tales. So, I’m going to go with the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t worry though, I’ll get back to my usual descriptions soon. Watch this space!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

How could I not buy this fantastic necklace? There was no way!

Hand crafted in 15 karat gold, this gorgeous necklace features three oval peridot drops which hang from pearl encrusted stems and leaves and has tiny golden oak or holly leaves interspersed throughout. The peridots are wonderful bright green gems, the center stone weighs approximately 1.1 carts, the other two are .7 carats each for a total of 1.8 carats, and the 33 creamy white pearls measure 2.2 mm in diameter on average. This necklace is crafted in 15 karat yellow gold and is 15.5 inches long, it weighs 7.5 grams. This necklace is unmarked and has been carefully acid tested to verify the metal content.

A Message From Victoria: Hi everyone! If you visit my site often, you might note that I usually have a story to tell about my pieces. Well, I’ve accumulated a backlog of items and I’m too excited to get them to you to stop and write tales. So, I’m going to go with the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t worry though, I’ll get back to my usual descriptions soon. Watch this space!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations! 

I simply could not resist the amazing style of this phenomenal 1960s bracelet! To be honest, I didn't even really try. It is just so beautifully made that I at first mistook it for a much earlier piece. Each plaque is hand crafted and shows a great degree of skill and an eye for style that brings to mind the designs of the cosmos. Each is set with a glowing round cabochon opal and two bright fuchsia rubies, like little ringed planets circling in their own orbits.

The panels are hand crafted of glowing yellow 9 karat gold in a fabulous sort of undulating shape, and each has fantastic details, including a full back frame to hold the bracelet up off of the wrist for an optimal play of light when it's worn. Each plaque is marked with a '9' and '375' for 9 karat gold and it also bears hallmarks indicating that it was made in London in 1969. It weighs 26.8 grams and measures 8 inches long. The plaques are 17 mm long each and 17.7 mm wide and it sits 6.5 mm off the wrist. Each of the 10 opals are 0.14 carat each for a total weight of 1.4 carats. The 20 rubies add up to about .40 carats total.

This is the kind of fantastic vintage jewel that can be worn so easily, that it can go from Barbecue to Black Tie!!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

This ring was a bit of a mystery, but I think I’ve got it solved! It’s a beauty, set in the center with a 1 carat bright moonstone with great adularescence and a lovely blue hue; around the cabochon center stone are set with 8 pearls in shades of brown and gray, they are 2.7 mm in diameter. The top of this ring is made in 18 karat gold and the split shank is in 14 karat gold. I believe that this ring started life off as something else, most likely a stick pin or part of a brooch, made in about 1880, but it has been more recently made over as a ring. The ring is lovely and well made, it measures 11 mm north to south and 11 mm across, it sits 8 mm off the finger and narrows to 3 mm at the back of the band. This ring is a size 5.5 and weighs 5 grams. It’s marked with the French export mark of the shell and has been carefully acid tested.

A Message From Victoria: Hi everyone! If you visit my site often, you might note that I usually have a story to tell about my pieces. Well, I’ve accumulated a backlog of items and I’m too excited to get them to you to stop and write tales. So, I’m going to go with the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t worry though, I’ll get back to my usual descriptions soon. Watch this space!

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!

Long before cell phones, before cameras could be carried in a pocket or a purse, photographs were expensive and hard to come by; so people often didn’t have images of their loved ones to keep after that person had passed. Instead, they used a lock of hair, often elaborately woven and put under glass. It gave them a memory, a keepsake, of the person that they had lost.

This brooch was made as a memorial to one such person. It would have been worn during the period of mourning, which lasted for a year and then some. The front of this wonderfully hand crafted pin is done in swirls of gold and black enamel and is set with a virtual bouquet of flowers which are accented in creamy white pearls and one small diamond. This brooch has a frame on the reverse which would originally have held the hair of loved one, but which has been removed at some point in its life. The reverse is inscribed with ‘In Memory Of’ and the initials ‘EHC’. This large piece measures 40.7 mm from north to south and 50.9 mm across and weighs 26.2 grams. We’ve carefully acid tested it as being 15 karat gold.

This wonderful piece of history was made during the Georgian era in England, probably dating to about 1830.

I offer a 3-5 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!