Author Unknown | Victorian 14K Gold Book Locket

Some stories were meant to be kept to yourself.

Victorians were very good at giving sentiment somewhere to hide. Here, it takes the form of a miniature gold book, complete with engraved covers, a tiny working clasp, a hinged spine and edges scored to resemble the pages of a well-loved volume. There is even a blank cartouche waiting on the cover, although after more than a century, leaving it unwritten feels rather perfect.

Open the book and two oval portrait compartments appear beneath convex rock crystal covers, both remarkably still present. Originally made to hold photographs, the little frames turn the locket into something more intimate than ornament: a private album small enough to wear around your neck. The rock crystal has been gemologically tested, and its softly magnifying convex surfaces give the empty compartments almost as much presence as the portraits they once protected.

At approximately 7/8 inch tall, the scale is particularly good for wearing rather than simply collecting. Add it to a watch chain, wear it alone on a fine gold chain, or let it join a charm-heavy neck mess. It has already spent well over a century keeping secrets. What happens next is entirely your business.

Details

• Era: Victorian, circa 1860s–1880s

• Material: Tests as 14K gold 

• Stone: Rock crystal

• Interior: Two oval portrait compartments beneath convex rock crystal covers; both covers remain present

• Design: Miniature book-form locket with engraved decoration, blank cartouche, scored page edges, hinged spine and clasp

• Maker: Unsigned

• Dimensions: Approximately 5/8 x 7/8 in.

• Weight: 6.33 g gross weight, including rock crystal

• Condition: Very good antique condition with age-appropriate surface wear and patina. Both interior rock crystal covers remain present and clear, with surface wear consistent with age. Hinges and clasp are intact. Please review all photographs closely as they form an important part of the condition description.

• Styling Notes: Small enough to layer beautifully, but interesting enough not to need company. Try it on a fine gold chain, antique watch chain or mixed charm necklace, with the book closed until someone earns the rest of the story.

Please Note: Jewelry box, chains, styling props and any additional items shown in photos are for display purposes only unless specifically listed as included.

Your piece will arrive carefully packaged in RetroStarr presentation wrapping, ready for gifting, collecting or immediate wear.

Curated by Dana Sednek, GIA trained jewelry professional and founder of RetroStarr, where each jewel is hand selected for its past lives and future attitude.