Vintage 1950's 9ct Yellow Gold Engraved Love Heart Locket Pendant Necklace

A beautiful vintage heart shaped locket dating to around the 1950s. This front is adorned with delicate hand engraved scrolling foliage which beautifully frames a polished diagonal panel across the front, creating a lovely contrast between intricate engraving and smooth reflective gold. Graceful and understated, it is a timeless design that feels just as beautiful today as when it was first made.

Heart lockets have long been among the most meaningful pieces of jewellery, treasured for the memories they hold as much as their beauty. Traditionally worn close to the heart, they have symbolised love, remembrance, and lasting connection for generations. Whether chosen to hold photographs of loved ones, a wedding portrait, or simply worn as a cherished keepsake, they carry a deeply personal significance that few other pieces of jewellery can match.

Beautifully made and wonderfully wearable, this is the kind of heirloom that feels destined to become part of someone's story. Elegant enough to wear on a wedding day yet timeless enough to treasure for a lifetime, it is a beautiful vintage heart locket, ready to become part of a new family's story

Inside the locket there is space to put photos. The locket has two clear acetate panels and both interior frames still present. Currently there is some floral backing paper inside, but this could be removed for you to add your own special tiny photos inside. Opens and closes securely from the right with a satisfying click.

The locket can be purchased alone, or with the 16" 9ct yellow gold modern trace chain pictured. This chain stamped 9ct gold. It's a lightweight, fine, modern chain but matches the locket well. This chain is not included in the listing price, but can be purchased for an additional £50 upon request.

Stamped as 9ct Back and Front. 9ct Gold Back and Front lockets were typical of gold lockets from this era. In the late Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods, lockets were manufactured with solid gold fronts and solid gold backs – to clarify, the metal at the front is a sheet of solid gold and the metal at the back is also a sheet of solid gold. Using this method allowed heavy engraving which would not be possible on rolled gold or gold plating. The sides, hinges and the loose frames inside are usually made of a sturdy base metal that has been gold plated. The reasoning behind such construction is that gold is a soft metal and lockets by default are opened and closed regularly. Using a sturdier metal than gold meant that they were less likely to buckle or break. These lockets are 90 – 95% solid gold and in the parts that are not they are gold plated and the plating is generally of such a good thickness that it still stands 100 years later.

SPECIFICS:
Size: The locket measures 2.1 cms tall without the bails, 2.5 cms with the bail loops. 1.9 cms wide. A medium sized locket.
Age: Circa 1940 / 1950
Weight: 3.2 grams (locket alone)

In very good vintage condition, with light age related surface wear and light scratches. With light tarnish inside, as to be expected from an old item. We have given this locket a sympathetic professional polish and clean, so it's ready to wear. Please see the photos.

This item, along with the others in our Dear Rose With Love Bridal collection, has been hand-selected by us for you. We specialise in antique and vintage engagement rings, bridal jewellery, and heirloom-quality pieces from the Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco eras. We sell only estate, vintage, and antique jewellery, which means we only ever have one of each piece. The jewellery we offer are genuine old treasures, and we rarely find two identical examples. Once a piece has sold, it is truly gone, and you will likely never find another exactly like it.

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EXTRA INFORMATION

• All gemstones have been tested and verified using a Presidium Gemstone Tester. All measurements and carat weights given are approximations.

• Our photographs have been taken with a magnified macro lens to show every tiny detail. This often means that any flaws visible in the photographs may appear much less noticeable when viewed normally with the naked eye. It can also make items appear larger on screen than they are in person, so please refer to the written description for accurate measurements and dimensions.

• All display boxes shown in our photographs are for presentation purposes only and are not included in the sale. However, please rest assured that your jewellery will be packaged lovingly in attractive new packaging. All rings are supplied with a complimentary new ring box (which will differ from the one pictured). We can also offer antique and vintage ring boxes for an additional cost. Every item is carefully wrapped and protected for safe transit.

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RING SIZING

We offer in-house ring resizing. Please contact us if the ring you love is not currently in your size. We will advise whether resizing is possible and provide a no-obligation quote. Some styles, such as full eternity bands, cannot be resized, while others may only be resized within reasonable limits. We are always happy to offer honest advice and guidance.

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SHIPPING

We provide free standard shipping worldwide.

UK Orders:
Items under £200 are sent via Royal Mail Tracked 48.
Items over £200 are sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery.

International Orders:
Items under £200 are sent via Royal Mail International Standard (untracked, although tracking can be added for a £5 upgrade at checkout if required).
Items over £200 are sent via Royal Mail Tracked.

Delivery times vary depending on your location. Any delivery estimates provided by Etsy are intended as a guide only and cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that parcel contents insurance is not included with our free standard shipping services. Etsy Purchase Protection provides cover for parcels up to £200 / $250 and is included as standard with all eligible Etsy purchases.

If you would like to purchase additional insurance for higher-value orders, or would prefer expedited delivery, please contact us for a quote. We are happy to arrange upgraded shipping options including UPS and DHL on request.

In the event that a parcel goes missing in transit, we cannot be held liable or claim compensation unless appropriate insurance cover has been selected.

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RETURNS POLICY

• We must be informed of your intention to return an item within 3 days of delivery.
• Returned items must be dispatched within 7 days of delivery.
• Returned items must be in their original unaltered condition, include all original packaging, and be returned with full insurance coverage.
• If returned with inadequate or missing packaging, additional charges may apply.
• Original shipping costs are non-refundable (postage costs will be deducted from the refund of any order that received free delivery).
• For returns outside of the UK, a 10% restocking fee applies.
• If import charges are refused by the recipient, the restocking fee increases to 20%.

NON-RETURNABLE ITEMS

• Pierced earrings cannot be returned under UK hygiene legislation.
• Customised items, including resized rings.
• Sale and clearance items, which are considered final sale items and are non-returnable.