Victorian Diamond Floral Heart Pendant

A romantic Victorian pendant, the open heart-shaped frame set throughout with graduated diamonds and enclosing a delicate spray of diamond-set flowers and foliage that curls across the opening. The diamonds total approximately 2.30ct — a generous weight for a pendant of this scale — and are graded VS to SI clarity, I colour. They are set in silver over an 18ct gold back, the standard of good nineteenth-century work, done to keep the stones bright and white, and the flowerheads catch the light independently of the frame so the whole jewel moves and sparkles as it is worn.

The heart and the flowering spray together are pure Victorian sentiment: the heart for love, the blossoms for affection and remembrance. Suspended from a gold bale and light on the neck, it is a lovely example of the period's romantic goldsmithing — and at over two carats, it reads far larger and brighter than its size suggests.

Details

• Metal: 18ct gold with silver-set diamonds, and a gold bale
• Stones: diamonds totalling approximately 2.30ct, VS–SI clarity, I colour
• Design: open heart enclosing a floral and foliate spray
• Dimensions: 23mm x 37mm
• Weight: 6.28g
• Condition: Good antique condition, with wear consistent with age
• Era: Victorian, circa 1890