Posted 12 years ago
Vanessa
(3 items)
This is a beautiful locket fob that spins. I purchased it to keep as an heirloom within my family because I fell in love with it. I have verified 8 ruby stones and mother of pearl, but the center stone is not a diamond with starburst around it. I would love input on how to tell if it is a crystal, or a white sapphire...or anything else it may be according to someone who may know more about this locket. The back is the gold sandstone. It has 1 original glass lense with trim around it to hold it in. The blue paper inside looks original as well. I do keep pictures of my children inside. It has gone through the washing machine 1 time and amazingly no water got inside. The pictures were still perfect with no evidence of water getting in. I would love to know peoples guesses on the possible era timeframe it is from, and anything else you can think I would like to know about this type of item. Possible Appraisal? Thank you.
It's a beautiful and unusual fob.
The third photo shows that the "back" is gold stone. If I understand your post, you have referred to it as "gold sandstone." I am far from an expert but it is usually referred to as "gold stone" for antique jewelry. I don't know the difference between the antique gold stone and the new gold sandstone. Here is an example; see sixth row, last one on right, "VICTORIAN black onyx warrior intaglio watch fob with gold stone reverse in gold filled setting. The owner of this site is quite an expert in antique jewelry:
http://www.morninggloryantiques.com/collectcharms.html
Go to this page, about two-thirds down, and on the left is a "VICTORIAN 10k bird carrying a letter locket rotating fob, Aesthetic Movement, fittings for 2 photos," on the left. On the same row, on the right, is a locket set with "rhinestone stars.:
http://www.morninggloryjewelry.com/lockets-jewelry-aid-43.html?osCsid=4671b4e9f703cc3d41b44e0c1a75b4c6
The middle stone could possibly be a rhinestone or a rose- or mine-cut diamond but it's impossible to guess from a photo. Only a reputable jeweler can make this determination by physically inspecting it.
Is it marked to determine if it's gold, gold-plated, or simply gold-toned metal? Again, it's difficult to tell from the photo but the chain appears to have more yellow in it than the fob. Is it a watch chain or simply a chain? A jeweler can determine this also.
I guess I am curious as to what information the seller provided when you purchased it and why the other stones weren't "verified" by whomever did the rubies and mother of pearl. I don't mean to sound critical, just asking questions. Regardless, it is beautiful and a wonderful piece to be cherished for generations.
Thank you so much. I love it and I hope to keep it in our family as my locket passed down for when I am gone. I wear it daily and receive so many compliments on it.
Yes, the "back" is gold stone. It is the same as the back on the website you provided. I forgot what it was called and looked it up on google, so that is why I titled it wrong. Thank you. Because of the weight, it mostly spins to this side while Im wearing it and I have to keep spinning it around.
My locket is set in the same way in the middle as the locket with "rhinestone stars" in the second website. I bought it from an indiviual estate sale. The seller told me he didnt know what the center stone was because its not a diamond. I would assume he would have checked if it was diamond before selling it to me, and he said it isnt diamond, but now I am thinking It does have flaws in a jeweler loop view. Thats why I was thinking white sapphire or another naturally clear stone. Do old rhinestones have flaws? Or maybe its just a dirty rhinestone. lol.
There is not really much tarnish and the seller told me it was gold filled, but it has no markings for me to know for sure. The chain is not original. I do have a watch chain that is gold filled, but it seems like a darker more tarnished metal than my locket.
The only thing the seller seemed certain on was that he knew the locket was a gold filled locket with verified mother of pearl and rubies? Beyond that, I just fell in love with it. I was looking for the perfect locket for my kids pictures, and I found one.