Rock crystal is a very hard colourless quartz, that provides an excellent medium for carving, and has been used for this purpose since antiquity. The name is derived from the Greek word for ice (krystallos) and the name crystal (as in manufactured glass) was derived from it. It was used for the making of cups, salts, caskets, jewellery, snuff bottles and other small decorative objects although the carving was a time-consuming process due to its hardness.

A locket is an item of jewellery, usually a pendant worn on a chain around the neck, that is hinged and opens to reveal a space, sometimes called a "keepsake compartment", used for storing a a personal memento, such as a miniature, a photograph or strands of hair.

Other styles of lockets are worn as a brooch or bracelet.

They have been around in various forms since the 15th century, but reached the peak of their popularity in the 19th century, when sentimentality was part of the national psyche.

They are most commonly made of gold or silver, often decorated more...

15 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Belle Epqoue revival rock crystal & silver pendant marked 925…

Rock Crystal & Silver Pendant, Belle Époque Revival, 925 Marked

Belle Epqoue revival rock crystal & silver pendant marked 925 makers, faceted drop size 21 x 15 mm

Three antique lockets, including a rock crystal pendant in 18ct…

Three antique lockets, including a rock crystal pendant in 18ct gold, length 22 mm, width 18 mm, a heart locket in 9ct gold, length 18 mm, width 16 mm, and an oval hinged locket with concentric engraved pattern, length 35 mm, width 25 mm, gross weight…

20ct gold and Essex crystal pendant, circa 1870; the oval…

Antique Gold & Crystal Pendant: Stork in Bullrushes

20ct gold and Essex crystal pendant, circa 1870; the oval cabochon rock crystal reverse engraved and painted to depict a stork wading amongst bullrushes, within a decorative applied surround of rope and braid motif, length 50 mm, width 35 mm, total gross…

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. 18ct gold and rock crystal 'Cat…

Elsa Peretti's Cat Island Pendant for Tiffany & Co

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. 18ct gold and rock crystal 'Cat Island' pendant, comprising a large abstract shell form in tumbled rock crystal with gold cap, suspended from a fine trace chain, signed Tiffany & Co, Peretti, length approximately 78 mm,…

A Colombian gold and rock crystal necklace, featuring a gold…

Gold and Crystal Colombian Deity Necklace

A Colombian gold and rock crystal necklace, featuring a gold deity pendant suspended from polished rock crystal beads of round and elongated forms, highlighted by two pierced 18ct gold interspacers and clasp. Total length 430 mm.

Modernist Finnish rock crystal and silver pendant marked Sten &…

Finnish Rock Crystal and Silver Pendant by Sten & Laine

Modernist Finnish rock crystal and silver pendant marked Sten & Laine Finland Turku 925, pendant size 16 mm, round cut size 6 mm, weight 2 grams

An 18th century double sided portrait locket, the military gent…

18th Century Double Sided Portrait Locket with Miniatures

An 18th century double sided portrait locket, the military gent and his wife hand painted miniatures on ivory, under rock crystal and in rose gold frame, with suspension ring. 3.5 x 4 cm.

A 9ct gold stone set pendant, picture locket frame with rope…

9ct Gold Rock Crystal Pendant with Picture Locket Frame

A 9ct gold stone set pendant, picture locket frame with rope twist border set with an oval cut articulating rock crystal, length 42 mm, wt. 5.29g.

A silver stone set pendant necklace, centring a 26 x 19.5 mm…

Floral Rock Crystal Pendant Necklace

A silver stone set pendant necklace, centring a 26 x 19.5 mm oval cut rock crystal in an open frame applied with floral clusters, dimensions, 67 x 39 mm, on cable link chain, length 71 cm, wt. 40.39g.

A Victorian 18ct gold and rock crystal locket, two circular…

Victorian Gold & Rock Crystal Locket with Turquoise Cabochon

A Victorian 18ct gold and rock crystal locket, two circular rock crystal panels framed in gold bands, with a turquoise cabochon set to the front, a further five turquoises to the suspension bale.

Ilias Lalaounis Greek gold necklace 18ct yellow gold and rock…

Greek Gold Necklace with Leaping Gazelles and Lion Masks

Ilias Lalaounis Greek gold necklace 18ct yellow gold and rock crystal pendant and chain with leaping gazelles and lion masks, stamped 'Ilias Lalaounis 750 Greece', length 41.5 cm, weight 78.6 grams

A 9ct rose gold and ivory pendant, an ivory panel painted with…

Qutb Minar Ivory Pendant in Rose Gold Mount

A 9ct rose gold and ivory pendant, an ivory panel painted with an image of the Qutb Minar (Delhi 1311), in rose gold mount and under rock crystal, suspension ring.

A 19th century portrait miniature pendant, hand painted with a…

19th Century Young Girl Portrait Pendant

A 19th century portrait miniature pendant, hand painted with a young girl probably on ivory, framed in gilt metal and under rock crystal.

Superb sterling silver and rock crystal pendant, the pendant…

Sterling Silver Pendant with Double-Sided Magnifier

Superb sterling silver and rock crystal pendant, the pendant magnifier with double sided hinge to take portraits, chain is 68 cm

A late Victorian rock crystal pendant, large faceted rock…

Victorian Heart-Shaped Rock Crystal Pendant

A late Victorian rock crystal pendant, large faceted rock crystal pendant in the form of a plump heart. Total length 45 mm.