Yellow Gold and Pearl Pendant

An oval-shaped locket in 18-carat yellow gold, featuring a hinge and clasp, which opens to reveal a glass-enclosed compartment designed to hold a personal memento—a photograph, a lock of hair, or a miniature. The front is adorned with a beveled square in rose gold holding a central pearl. The bail, crafted from fluted yellow gold, has a graceful curve. The piece features two distinct shades of gold; the combination of yellow gold and rose gold is characteristic of the jewelry style of the second half of the 19th century.

French work, second half of the 19th century. Traces of a master’s Hallmark visible on the bail. Closure: snap closure, hinge on the right (opens from the left side)

Good condition for a piece of this age. A few slight dents on the surface and scratches on the inner glass—signs of genuine use and a life well-lived, not of neglect. Slight traces of oxidation, localized on and around the rose gold: an expected and consistent phenomenon, as the higher copper content in this alloy is naturally more susceptible to oxidation.

Note: The hinge is positioned on the right, causing the piece to open from the left side—an unusual arrangement that indicates individual, artisanal craftsmanship rather than mass production.

When the locket came into our possession, it still contained a lock of blond hair and a very old photograph of a young child. The locket had clearly not been opened for several decades.

Total height including the bail: approximately 4.3 cm

Dimensions of the locket: approximately 3.1 × 2.4 cm