An UNSPEAKABLY RARE jewel. This multicolored, multi-locket necklace is strikingly similar to the bracelet presented by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria a few days after the birth of her first child - a little girl - whose hair was snipped and placed inside a pink heart locket. For every child born to Queen V after that, a different color locket was added. You can see that beloved bracelet here; I'll bet it inspired this superbly crafted necklace. Heart jewelry was a constant for the Queen. She wore it during both the happy periods of her life and during mourning, making it one of the most popular motifs of the era. Here, hearts are carved from coral, aquamarine, malachite, citrine, turquoise, amethyst, and chrysoberyl.
MATERIALS: 18k gold chain (tests), 10k gold locket fittings (tests), new 14k clasp & chain extender, coral, aquamarine, malachite, citrine, turquoise, amethyst, chrysoberyl, glass lenses, hair
AGE: c. 1850
CONDITION: Very good - lens on the coral heart is cracked but stable
SIZE: 14" length with optional 3" chain extender, 1/2" x 3/8" heart lockets