Mid Victorian locket in 14-karat yellow gold with painted enamel depicting a hand clasping a circle of roses, a symbol of love. Circa 1860. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)
Engagement Rings

A history of lockets – Jewelry Connoisseur

Acquisitions skilled Cristina Mattern states the nostalgic history and contemporary appeal of these talismanic gems.

When did lockets initially appear?
Lockets have actually been popular for more than 5 centuries since of their nostalgic nature. Whether it was for grieving, as was the standard usage, or for love, like more modern styles, there is an excellent nostalgic attract a locket. They resemble small pockets for bring a valuable and small “talisman” of some sort– maybe a lock of hair or a picture mini. In some cases the locket is on the reverse of a piece of precious jewelry (described as en verso). More just recently, lockets have actually been made to bring pictures– which, in our digital age, is definitely anachronistic.

The earliest example I have actually seen isn’t a standard locket at all, however a Stuart-crystal slide. Stuart crystals are a faceted rock crystal top that covers a delicate style with a gold support. Generally for grieving, the styles were typically a variation of a hairwork background with a gold cipher on top. Technically, these are lockets, and while unable to open or close, they definitely made a nostalgic declaration.

Mid Victorian locket in 14-karat yellow gold with painted enamel portraying a hand gripping a circle of roses, a sign of love. Circa 1860. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)

What has assisted lockets stay appropriate?
Lockets, having a considerable flat surface area, were an ideal surface area for metal inscription and chasing. The information can be spectacular, with fragile accuracy. Older pieces are used to a satiny surface. With chasing, the metal is just moved, however with inscription, the excess metal is gotten rid of. You may be able to see or feel it on the locket [if you’re trying] to recognize the distinction.

In my viewpoint, the most classic are the Victorian silver lockets with increased gold overlay on book chains. These tend to be somewhat more generous in scale and size, and the rate is likewise more sensible. They are resilient and stunning, and if on the initial book chain, they do not move or walk around when they’re on the neck.

Victorian revival lockets in gold with inscription are frequently heart-shaped. They are timeless and simple to include into a contemporary precious jewelry closet. Nowadays, I see numerous [of these] used clustered on longer chains with other nostalgic appeals and talismans.

An antique Edwardian locket in 9-karat yellow gold with engraving. Circa 1900. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)
An antique Edwardian locket in 9-karat yellow gold with inscription. Circa 1900. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)

Which periods and native lands stick out for collectors?
Shakudo and shibayama pieces from Japan. Initially utilized to embellish samurai attire and later on produced European export in the 19th century, shakudo [designs are] really distinct, with a blue-black base topped with mixed-metal concepts, and really collectible. If you are really fortunate, you can discover among these products with the early workmanship
however in a wearable kind like a locket.

Shibayama is a lacquer with a natural inlay– ivory or mother-of-pearl, for instance– with a high-relief style, and its prime time accompanies the production of shakudo. To discover either building in excellent condition is uncommon; to discover both methods in one piece, much more so.

A Victorian Bohemian gold locket with garnet pavé. Circa 1865. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)
A Victorian Bohemian gold locket with garnet pavé. Circa 1865. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)

Do older examples require additional care or repair work?
Lockets can be made complex, since most of the times, you can not get them damp. Whether they bring a lock of hair, an ivory picture, or a photo, they are not sealed to be water resistant, so you require to work out care, whether it is contemporary or antique. The best and most desirable lockets are challenging to discover, and just by being on a consistent hunt can you acquire them at all. I purchase precious jewelry throughout the day from individuals, however in most cases, individuals hesitate to part with a locket due to the nostalgic nature of the piece.

Antique Edwardian platinum and 14-karat rose gold locket with Old Mine-cut diamond starburst center. Circa 1910. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)
Antique Edwardian platinum and 14-karat increased gold locket with Old Mine-cut diamond starburst center. Circa 1910. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)
Left image: Cristina Mattern. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)

Who is Cristina Mattern?

Cristina Mattern signed up with Tenenbaum Jewelers in Houston, Texas, as director of acquisitions in 2016. She has a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and has actually dedicated herself for the previous 25 years to the magic of antique and estate precious jewelry, publishing about the subject weekly on social networks.

Left image: Cristina Mattern. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)

Main image: A grieving slide in Stuart crystal and 18-karat yellow gold, circa 1700, holding an initialed ode to a lost enjoyed one. (Tenenbaum Jewelers)

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