Signature Victorian 14K Gold Winged Heart and Crown Necklace with Pearls and Diamond

In the Victorian era, the crowned heart is a symbol of triumphant love. During this time, The sending of love messages through symbolic gifts was a favorite pass-time. Hearts were oftentimes used as symbols of blooming love or friendship; pearls were substitutes for tears, or immense sentiment. Diamonds were vibrating with luminosity and power to express elegance and Queen Victoria's reign.

This signature crowned heart necklace has an open heart with a 3.5 mm round diamond raised on 6 prongs. The heart has been delineated with tiny seed pearls all around it; the seed pearls have also been set into the wings that come from the heart, as well as the crown. At the top of the gold crown are five extra milky white round pearls measuring 2mm each. The pendant is an original Victorian piece while the chain has been added later. The pendant wingspan is 1-1/2 inches wide by 1 inch tall. Both the chain and heart pendant are made of 14k gold; the pendant remains unmarked but has been acid tested to 14K. The chain has marks for 14K at the clasp; it hangs 9 inches down from either end to meet the fixed pendant at center.The total length of the chain with heart is 19.5". The hand-made aspects, the soldering of the gold, and piecing together of this heart with crown and wings is visible when the pendant is turned over and displays the beautiful craft of this piece.

This necklace is a beautiful sentimental piece of jewelry, a fine example of the language of Victorian symbolism. The necklace dates to the 1880s and weighs 5.7 grams.