General Information:
- Bracelet Length End to End: About 6.50 inches (16.51 cm/165.10 mm) including the heart padlock closure
- Precious Metal Weight: 4.27 dwt
- Precious Metal Material: he entirety of the bracelet tests as 9k gold; the majority of the piece is rosy gold, though some of the textured links and the link joints appear more yellow gold. It could be that this piece was designed as a two tone gold jewel, though it may also be that well over a century of loving wear has worn the rosy gold alloy to reveal the golden core beneath. This dual tonality is very subtle.
- Dimensions: This bracelet is about 6.50 inches in length, and the gate link with measure about 11.55 mm on average. The safety chain that is affixed to and connects both ends is approximately 57.50 mm long (2.26 inches) on its own. The padlock heart measures about 14 mm in length and 2.37 mm in depth.
- Weight: A comfortable and easy to wear 6.64 grams
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Markings: The inside of at least four of the 4-bar link gate components show historic "9CT" purity stamps, which indicate not only that the bracelet is fabricated of 9 karat gold content, but also that it is of European (UK) origins. The padlock heart bears a different set of marks, including an "LC" maker's mark inside of a rectangular cartouche, as well as a crown stamp, "375" stamp, London assay office leopard's head mark, and a script uppercase "F" date letter. This series of stamps tells us that this padlock was made in London in 1980.
- Era: The construction and stamps of the main stretch of the bracelet (the gate links) prove their much earlier age than the heart padlock. The bracelet is believed to date to anytime between the 1890s and 1900s, while the heart is a later addition (replacement), dating to the year 1980 per its marks.
- Buyer Notes: This style bracelet was wildly popular by the end of the 19th century and during the turn of the century, often (though not always) gifted from a beau to his sweetheart as a commemoration of his commitment to her. Most bracelets of this kind are weighty, while this one is lighter and super comfortable to wear, coming in at just under 7 grams. The links are of hollow construction-- a peak of jewelry technology of its time-- which has rendered the links susceptible to some subtle dents and dings in its 130+ years of life. While absolutely to be expected of antique jewelry of this age and make, their presence is not at all distracting to its beauty. Rather, these are the very kisses of time that historic jewelry collectors so cherish about antique pieces. The padlock closure works excellently, and shuts very securely with a satisfying 'click'.
The Story:
Polished and romantic, this late Victorian to early Edwardian era bracelet is rich in beauty and in history. Bracelets such as these were all the rage by the end of the 19th century, a trend that carried into the early 20th century and has seen several revitalizations throughout the decades since, perhaps most notably of these is the sterling padlock heart jewelry produced by the famed Tiffany & Co. (which actually has much older roots in the 1830s). During the time in which this piece was made, bracelets such as this were referred to as 'gate' bracelets, cleverly designed to recall the fence silhouette of horse paddocks.
The Victorians are much beloved for the symbolisms with which they saturated the fine, decorative and wearable arts of their time, and this bracelet is a relic exhibiting exactly that. Oftentimes, such bracelets were gifted from a beau to his sweetheart as a commemoration of his commitment to her. Keeping in mind that horse paddocks are fenced in spaces that offer enough room to roam but not so big that they can run, the bracelet's reference to a horse paddock offers further insight on its symbolism as a gift between lovers. In essence, it reminds the wearer that her heart is taken. These bracelets were tokens of loyalty and affection, and the heart padlock findings that they bear allude to a gestural seal of the union.
The padlock closure functions like a true padlock insomuch as the arched shackle clicks into body of the padlock at the shackle toe side. A tiny 2.60 mm keyhole is planted in the heart towards its point, a reference to Victorian jewelry padlocks after which this one is modeled, that bore similar keyholes as well as an accompanying functioning key. However, the newer age of this padlock likely suggests that its keyhole is merely ornamental and not a working component, though its presence still speaks to its historic predecessors and symbolic meaning.
This bracelet features the distinction of the revered craftsmanship of generations past, as well as the marks of time and loving wear. The links were created using a hollowed method so as to give the appearance of heft and structure without the weight (and therefore, price tag) of solid gold construction. Due to this method, the links now show areas of denting, though their appearance is, obviously, no less attractive and their integrity likewise undisturbed. For these characteristics and in light of the wonderful legacy of gate bracelets, the price of this bracelet is set to sell, granting antique jewelry enthusiasts the opportunity to own a piece of history at an affordable rate.
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General Information: All additional jewelry boxes, ring boxes, and other jewelry items pictured alongside a featured listing are considered props, are for photographic and display purposes only and are not included in the transaction unless otherwise noted. Items do not come with physical documentation, appraisals, or certifications, unless explicitly stated in the item description and/or title. While jewelry is inspected upon procurement by the shop as well as prior to shipment, Revival Fine Jewelry cannot guarantee a warranty once items leave our inventory, given the delicate and individual nature of secondhand articles and the unaccountability of buyer handling post-purchase.
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Regarding Brooches & Pins: Often significantly and curiously undervalued jewelry items, brooches, pins and stick pins are treasured pieces of history in this shop. Accordingly, their pricing is calculated analogous to other fine jewelry, including their symbolic meaning, rarity and historical prestige. Such pieces are typically converted to other forms of jewelry, and are therefore becoming increasingly rare in their original states. Aside from being perfectly wearable as sophisticated lapel ornaments, brooches and pins of all kinds are prime candidates for many kinds of fine jewelry conversions, including rings, earrings, pendants, and charms, if so desired by the consumer post-purchase. Revival Fine Jewelry does not perform conversion projects for customers.
Regarding Storage & Boxes: All specifications, including but not limited to the measurements, age, origins, and material compositions are supplied in good faith as professional estimations constructed using professional grade tools, years of learned and honed skills, educational resources and academic scholarship, and refined research methods. Regardless of our confidence in our descriptions and the photographs deemed viable extensions of these descriptions, we cannot guarantee the definitiveness, faultlessness, or exactitude beyond our knowledge and expertise. Kindly keep in mind that this and all items are sold as-is vintage, antique and estate secondhand wares, and consequently bear conditional wear in matter and operation commensurate with age and use.
More information on these, and more, topics may be found in the shop policies.
All layaway terms may be found here, and all shop policies may be found here.
Layaway is available for full priced, non-sale items priced $600.00 USD or greater, and items may not be combined to attain price-eligibility. Plans are offered as 3-month/90-day maximum terms.
In exchange for offering interest-free plans, customers agree to abide and uphold the following nonnegotiable terms and conditions:
- A 30% deposit is due upfront to reserve the item for layaway and pull it from public sale on all of our shopping platforms. Shipping expenses are added to this first payment unless otherwise requested.
- The remaining 70% balance is divided up into three subsequent monthly payments due on the same day of the following three months. If delinquent, a $20.00 USD late fee is added per day to an overdue payment until paid.
- In the event that a layaway installment is left unpaid for seven (7) days and no communication is received from the designated customer, the layaway plan will be presumed abandoned. While the item will be returned to public sale, all payments made hitherto are still considered final.
Layaway items are promptly boxed and shipped to the designated customer once the final payment successfully processes. Taxes, import and other legal fees are not calculated into the payments, and are the sole responsibility of the customer, whether a domestic US or international buyer. Revival Fine Jewelry is not responsible for calculating, covering or adding such costs into purchase prices.
All layaway payments as well as all items purchased through layaway plans are considered final sale; neither payments nor items may be refunded, transferred, exchanged or returned. Revival Fine Jewelry does not issue store credit.
Revival Fine Jewelry reserves the right to cancel any layaway plan at any point for any reason if fraudulent activity is suspected. In this event, the designated customer will be notified prior to the intended cancellation of their plan.
Request a layaway plan via email here. Remember to specify your desired item by providing its link, title or SKU/code.