Victorian Oval High Dome Pools of Light Locket

A wonderful, Victorian-era, oval “pools of light” locket, modeled in 12k rosy yellow gold, and fitted with two, high-dome, rock crystal cabochons. These crystal-clear quartz cabochons rest inside a pair of smooth, low-profile bezels that, hinged together, function as the locket’s minimal frame. Two beads of granulation, found on the bezel edges, are the push-points for the locket's closure. Objects or photographs placed inside this rare old locket are both magnified and slightly distorted by the domed crystals. This creates the impression that the image is being viewed through a raindrop, and the effect is magical!

This pools of light locket is a nice larger size and it is in lovely condition. The crystals are smooth and bright— they do not have the micro-scratches we often see in rock crystal jewelry from this period. This is unmarked but tests for 12k gold.

Materials

12k gold
Rock crystal (quartz)

Age

c. 1880

Dimensions

Total drop is approx 30 mm (about 1 1/4"); locket measures approx 20 (just over 3/4") x 16.35 mm (not including bail).