Victorian 9ct Gold Padlock Set With Turquoise & Natural Split Pearls

An unusual 9ct37.5% pure gold (or 375 parts pure gold and 625 parts other metals) gold padlock that hinges open and can either be attached to a bracelet or better still worn as a pendant. It has been set with turquoiseTurquoise is an opaque gem and is often formed in what is called matrix, a black or brown veining derived from the host rock in which the gem forms.  In fine jewellery, unblemished sky blue turquoise is the ideal, although regularly patterned matrix turquoise is also sought-after. and naturalA natural stone is called such because it has not been subjected to any treatments.  split pearls in a cross cross design. It was made in Chester in 1899.