Victorian Gem-Set "REGARD" Heart Locket Pendant

One of the prettiest Victorian heart motif necklaces to have landed on our laps of late.  

More than just a pendant — it’s a whole love story in gold. Crafted in the Victorian era, this heart-shaped locket is everything collectors love: richly textured goldwork, a rainbow of gemstones, and that magical little detail — a glass back, ready to hold a keepsake from a beloved.

Victorian hearts were more than just pretty jewelry; they carried layers of meaning. Queen Victoria herself adored sentimental motifs — she famously wore a heart locket containing Prince Albert’s hair — sparking a widespread fascination with love tokens and remembrance/memorial jewels. To the Victorians, a heart wasn’t only about romance; it could also embody maternal love, deep friendship, or mourning.

The front of this pendant is lavishly decorated with repoussé floral motifs, framed in a border of golden granulation. Scattered across the heart are vibrant gemstones — ruby, emerald, amethyst, garnet, and a sparkling white peruzzi cut diamond. Multi-gem hearts like this often carried secret codes: Victorians spelled out messages like “REGARD” (Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond), turning jewelry into a private declaration of love.

The original glass panel is intact — designed to cradle a lock of hair, a miniature portrait, or another cherished token, speaking to the Victorian obsession with memory and intimacy. Surviving examples with their original glass backs are rare today, making this pendant an especially precious find!

• 18tk Yellow Gold
  
• 17" in length
  
• 13.7 Grams

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