ABOUT:
Uncommon to find antique REGARD pieces as necklaces! So this is a scarce one. Victorian antique piece with paste purplish red heart dangle leading up to the curved part of the pendant (which also serves as the clasp). The curved piece is set with a paste Ruby, paste Emerald, natural Garnet, natural Amethyst, paste Ruby and natural old mine cut Diamond.
This acrostic piece takes the first letter of each represented gemstone to spell "REGARD", a lovely romantic sentiment added to by the heart dangle and the ornate book chain links. Each link is stamped on both sides with an ornate detail to give the piece design and texture in addition to the notable wider links.
Crafted in 10k and tested in several places, it is unique in its hue which is a very pale yellow gold to almost warm white gold hue. I included a group shot so you can compare it against and 18k yellow gold. Back then there were no set alloys so this one must have had a lot of nickel in the mix to give it the paler color. This might confuse a modern jeweler who is unfamiliar with antique patina and alloys, but we would see areas of underlying metal in other spots of wear and friction if the piece was plated or gold filled so while it is solid gold, it is just a paler color. It's quite lovely with a warm glow.
Antique boxes, pendants / displays in photos are not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.
MEASUREMENTS:
It weighs 10.7 grams. It is 16.5 inches in length. The curved part of the clasp is 25mm wide. The heart paste is about 7.5mm to give you an idea of scale, in the setting that dangle pendant is 17mm north south.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
The top of the heart is abraided so while the table of the heart has some sheen and a lovely color, there are nicks, nibbles, deeper scratches and a more matte finish to the top. The tongue insert of the clasp is a replacement and is white metal. It clicks in place and functions well but is not original to the piece. Two links appear to have a ripple. The loops connecting the link to the adjacent one are a bit bent which throws the shimmer a bit, so it is not a repair or solder, but I didn't want to bend it back for fear of the old gold cracking. The little flourish that holds the REGARD piece on the right side opposite the clasp is soldered and has dark solder marks in the recesses.
Please also note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).
Many of my listings include group shots – I find the comparisons between pieces help show scale, diamond hues, etc. All items in group shots are inventory, but refer to the website to see what items have sold out and to watch for new listings from the grouping to appear on the home page.
Box#stc.^52
