We have similar Mid-Century and Sweetheart items, which would pair nicely with this piece, up for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Mid Century" or "Sweetheart " under our Buy-It-Now items.
Listing Description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Markings: "1/20 14kt GF" and unidentified maker's mark "R" on the back of the locket, tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin: Unknown
Brand: Unknown
Gram Weight: 8.3 grams
Metal Type: 1/20 14k yellow gold filled over base metal pendant and beads; sterling silver clasp
Material: Silk string
Main Stone: Glass seed beads
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
- Diameter: 1.84 mm to 2.19 mm
- Color: semi-translucent deep red and milky white hues
Accent Stone: Paste, glass beads
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
- Paste: 2.65 mm, translucent, colorless hue
- Glass beads: 3.86 mm & 4.0 mm diameter, translucent colorless hue with iridescent blue, green, pink, and purple hues
Stone Treatment: Paste, seed beads, and glass are manufactured stones. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts: Polished and rounded seed beads and glass beads; round cut paste
Item Measurements:
Closure/Clasp Type: Spring ring clasp
Link Type: Seed beads, glass beads, and yellow gold filled over base metal beads on wire
Pendant Type: Drop
Notable Features:
- This necklace was made during the Mid-Century era in the sweetheart style
- Composed of 1/20 14k yellow gold filled over base metal
- Features a lovely locket pendant with a heart-shaped motif and hand-chased floral and foliate designs
- The locket opens via a hinge at the side to reveal space where photos or mementos can be stores
- The pendant is strung on a wire adorned with many red and milky white glass seed beads
- Also strung on the necklace are yellow gold filled over base metal beads adorned with round cut paste stones
- These paste stones rest in channel settings and provide lovely Sparkle
- Two iridescent glass beads adorn the necklace on each side of the locket
- When worn, the necklace rests against the bustline on most people
- Completed with a sterling silver spring ring clasp for secure wear
Damage: Age appropriate wear. The locket remains slightly open when clasped; this can be easily repaired by your local jeweler. There is also minor wear to the gold filled over base metal in some areas of the pendant and beads, which does not affect wear. There is minor oxidation visible on one bead.
*Display items do not come with purchase, item only, unless otherwise noted.*
The History
The Mid-Century era, 1935 to 1965, encompassed many new styles of art and architecture and this carried over to jewelry making. This exciting time for jewelry saw movements such as Hollywood Regency, Modernism, Brutalism, and the Atomic Age. Native American artisans were also making their mark in the jewelry industry. Artisans used many kinds of metals, gemstones, glass, and experimented with ceramic and wood as well. This era was filled with new and innovative designs, while also rejuvenating and reinventing older styles. The unique jewelry which emerged from this era is still very popular today.
Sweetheart jewelry was an intensely romantic and patriotic fashion that began with World War I and remained through the end of World War II. Soldiers would gift these pieces of jewelry to their wives and sweethearts who remained at home while they were fighting overseas. Many materials and metals were rationed during the great wars, so these pieces were made of alternative materials, such as wood or plastic. Silver was not a rationed material, and was used to create higher quality pieces. This type of jewelry was a reminder and a promise to fighting soldiers all over the world.
Gold filled jewelry consists of an outer solid gold layer over a metal base, and 5% of its weight should be derived from gold. This solid layer of gold is laid over a base of sterling silver or some other kind of metal to produce a high-quality gold look.
Chasing is a metalworking technique that uses a nail-like tool and hammer to hand etch patterns onto a metal surface. This process creates a design that is sunk into the front of the surface using indentations, grooves, and channels. Chasing is thousands of years old and was a very difficult and time-consuming technique that is still used by metalsmiths today.
