14K Gold Enamel Locket with Diamond, Early 20th Century

This pendant reveals the intimacy of intent more than perhaps any other type of jewelry — it not only adorns, but also conceals. Its classic, oval form serves as a miniature reliquary of emotions: love, mourning, remembrance.

At its heart lies a diamond of approximately 0.25 ct, set in the distinctive butter setting popular at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries — a mount resembling gently parted butter petals that softly embrace the stone, allowing it to shine in its full spectrum of light. The diamond is framed by a delicate gold wreath with a subtly serrated edge, evoking the elegance of Victorian lockets.

Though modest in size, the stone commands attention — its natural brilliance stands in striking contrast to the black enamel background, which coats both the front and reverse of the pendant. The enamel bears visible signs of wear and small imperfections, further enhancing its authenticity and placing it firmly in the narrative of an object cherished and kept for decades.

The pairing of 14K gold (585 fineness) with deep black enamel creates a composition that is both austere and refined. The diamond, small though it may be, plays a symbolic role — a glimmer of light in the darkness, a memory among shadows. This pendant may once have been a mourning piece, or a keepsake of great love or solemn promise.

It is, above all, a capsule of memory — a witness to times and emotions. Its imperfections do not diminish its value; rather, they lend it truth.