Georgian 15ct Gold Locket Spelling Love

An unusual rectangular shaped locket that opens to reveal a plaited lock of hair. It was made circa 1800-1820 when jewels that sent secret coded messages were popular. This locket spells “Love”. Each first letter of each stone is the key. Lapis LazuliAn historically popular deep blue opaque gemstone. Lapis Lazuli is chiefly composed of the mineral Lazurite and is often flecked with gold Pyrite, giving each stone a unique mysticism., OpalOpals occur in a range of body colours from white, black or grey, bright orangey red and a pale watery colour. The most precious opals show strong colour contrast and generally have a dark body colour with a vivid array of colour play., VermeilSterling silver base with a heavy gold plating applied. GarnetDescribes a group of several closely related minerals. Garnets come in a variety of colours, however the most common colour is dark red. In descriptions, ‘garnet’ tends to refer to dark red stones unless otherwise specified. & EmeraldOne of the four ‘precious’ stones. An intense, deep green is the most desirable colour for emeralds. Flaws and cloudiness (‘jardin’) are very common in emeralds, so stones are often oiled, irradiated, and dyed to improve their look. Synthetic emeralds have fewer imperfections and are hard to set apart from natural stones. Emeralds belong to the beryl…. It would have been worn to remember someone whose lock of hair it contains. Around the edge is a snake design that further accentuates the message. The snake had become symbolic of the re-birth of the deceased into the next, spiritual life.