A beautiful antique Art Nouveau "love heart" pendant made of 9ct rose gold, set with an amethyst gemstone and adorned with seed pearls. Marked on the back and on the bale as 9ct. It comes with a newer 9ct gold 45cm/18" long chain. Although a slightly different shade of gold they complement each other well as can be seen in the photos.
Early 20th century jewellery is known for its stylish and elegant designs, and this pendant is a good example of that period. It is an original, genuine antique piece. The pendant comes in the vintage jewellery box pictured, .
The overall condition of the pendant is good, with some light surface wear and distortion to the metalwork that is expected due to its age. For a more detailed assessment of the condition, see our high-resolution photos. Approx 2.6 gms inc. chain in weight and the pendant is approx. 40mm long incl. the bale.
The pendant is made of rose gold, which is a mixture of yellow gold, copper, and silver. Rose gold is no different from yellow or white gold in terms of purity and is highly prized for its warm, rosy hue. It gained popularity in the 19th century and was favoured by Russian nobility, thanks to the renowned jeweller Carl Fabergé.
The pendant is adorned with an amethyst gemstone - typically associated with purple and violet colours. Amethyst is said to represent virtue, groundedness, tranquility, and calmness. It is also believed to convey strength and wit to the wearer. Amethyst is the birthstone for February and is often seen as a symbol of personal empowerment and inner strength. It is also associated with 6th anniversaries.
The pendant also features seed pearls, which are small natural pearls with a diameter of less than 2mm. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the use of seed pearls in fine jewellery was highly popular. Elaborately decorated brooches, pendants, pins, and earrings with seed pearls were fashionable during that time. Pearls, including seed pearls, are often associated with purity, chastity, and delicacy. Pearl is the birthstone for June and is commonly associated with 30th anniversaries.
This meaningful "love heart" pendant with amethyst and seed pearls represents a beautiful piece of handmade jewellery from a stylish era, offering a touch of history and elegance to its wearer.