General Information:
- Length: 42 inches (106.68 cm/1066.8 mm)
- Precious Metal Weight: About 4.20 dwt
- Precious Metal Material: 14k yellow gold with very rich, highly desirable patina
- Dimensions: This chain is an "infinity" style loop wherein both ends are affixed to the dog clip, so there is no true clasp which may be unfastened for the chain to lie flat. This chain is quite long and is considered Rope Length. It may be comfortably double-looped around the neck or slipped over the head for long, natural waist-length wear. Its interwoven links measure 1.35 mm square, as the chain is a three dimensional box shape. The dog clip is not a swivel clip, and measures 15.40 mm long, with interior dimensions of approximately 4.75 x 4.40 mm.
- Weight: 6.53 grams
- Markings: The chain is unmarked, while the dog clip is stamped with a 10K purity mark on its interior.
- Era: This chain is believed to date to sometime between the 1870s and about 1900. It could very well be that it is slightly earlier, though it is very likely not any later.
- Buyer Notes: This chain is wonderfully imperfect, showing up to a century and a half of loving wear and affectionate use. Kindly keep in mind that some links may do well to have reinforcement by your preferred, trusted jeweler post-purchase if you intend to adorn the chain with heavier charms or pendants. As is true of all antique pieces, please enjoy with discretion!
The Story:
Believed to be of late Victorian make dating to circa 1870-1900, this chain is an ultra desirable length and exists as a stunning example of handcrafted goldwork of the late 19th century. Its fabrication is luxurious, as every single link was modeled, formed and woven into the next by the masterful hand of its original metalsmith.
This chain is known as a long guard chain or muff chain by collectors. When it was created up to 150 years ago, it was designed specifically as a ladies' neck chain intended to hold either a dainty pocket watch or seal fobs, practical objects such as a button hook or belt fastener, retractable pencil or miniature etui, possibly a pair of folding lorgnette spectacles, or of course, a muff.
Such chains have roots primarily in the 18th century, and reached peak popularity by the Victorian period. During this time, it was most fashionable to wear lengthy chains doubled or tripled around the neck, and to use slides and clips to adjust the length to achieve the wearer's desired aesthetic and complement her gown. Rather than worn as a sole statement piece, women very often wore chains in the company of brooches, rings, bracelets and earrings.
This antique chain is complete with a 10k gold dog clip terminal, onto which both chain ends are fixed. The tiny hinge that gives the dog clip its open/close function still works well, though is not as taut as it once was. With the help of gravity and the angle (loop-side down) that it is worn, it absolutely still holds fobs and charms. These notes are mentioned for transparency, and are not at all unusual for chains and findings of this sort.
This stunning chain's coloring is notably rich and buttery yellow gold, beautifully enhanced by a time-earned natural patina-- a most desirable trait to antique gold purveyors. While it is in wearable condition, prospective buyers are accepting the chain's imperfections as charming attributes to its character. It bears kinks and twists here and there, which indicate that, at some point in its long history, this necklace was kept looped or piled within a jewelry box and rarely worn. When on the neck and especially when bedecked with a pendant of some weight, the kinks are pulled out somewhat, though not entirely. The pricing is set to properly reflect these idiosyncrasies.
By placing an order, you accept and agree to uphold all of Revival Fine Jewelry's terms, conditions and policies.
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.
Shipping: All orders are carefully packed within a branded Revival Fine Jewelry gift box, secured with recycled materials when possible, and shipped within a discreet outer shipping parcel. All orders ship with tracking, insurance and signature confirmation. Shipping options are presented at checkout. Per law and inegrity, international orders are always marked as commodity imports and customers are responsible for any and all customs expenses, VAT taxes and import fees, as well as any clearance costs legally dictated by their respective destination countries. These expenses are not calculated into the pricing structure, and returns based on import costs will not be permitted.
Returns: While Revival Fine Jewelry aims to provide a smooth experience from start to finish, customers are encouraged to reach out regarding any issue or dissatisfaction, so that we may work together toward a resolution. If a return is desired, the shop must be notified of an intention to return within 3 days of confirmed delivery, and item(s) must be shipped back to the shop within 7 days of confirmed delivery. All materials (gift box, inserts, cards) must be returned with the item(s). Returns declared after the 3 day window and/or postmarked after 7 days of receipt will neither be accepted nor refunded. Customers are responsible for generating an insured return shipping label (international customers included) and relaying the tracking information to Revival Fine Jewelry. Returns that do not include full insurance and/or tracking, and are damaged or lost in transit, will not be refunded. If a return is accepted, customers will be refunded less the original cost of shipping, handling and insurance, the expense of any damages incurred, and a 10% restocking fee (of the original purchase price). All sale items, items altered or resized by the buyer post-purchase, and all storage/ boxes are considered final sale and are ineligible for a return or refund.
Sale Terms: Sale prices are only valid within the prescribed sale window, unless otherwise stated by Revival Fine Jewelry or agreed upon between Revival Fine Jewelry and a designated customer. To maintain business sustainability and general fairness, individual customers are not entitled to exclusive notification of, or owed access to, store sales antecedently. Orders processed prior to a promotion or sale, items placed on layaway prior to a sale, and payments paid through layaway prior to a sale will not be retroactively adjusted to reflect sale pricing or terms.
Specially Negotiated Deals: Items purchased at specially negotiated discounts, deals or prices through any platform between Revival Fine Jewelry and a designated customer are considered final sale, including rates arranged and agreed upon via Facebook, Instagram, email or any other method. Closing deals at special rates reflects a desire by both parties to reach an expeditious and absolute sale. The intention of specially negotiated discounts, deals or sale prices through any platform between Revival Fine Jewelry and a designated customer, is to eliminate extra expenses and/or use of time and resources to formally list or re-list items per their specific and inherent value-determining qualities, as well as avoid unseen overhead business costs, stocking obligations, and all other disclosed or undisclosed monetary and nonmonetary expenditures.
Pricing: Revival Fine Jewelry reserves the right to decrease, increase, alter and modify inventory pricing to meet market rarity, demand or value; to offset platform, transaction or seller's fees; to adapt to economic inflation and fluctuation; and to defray specific business expenses. Pricing is the sole discretion of every small business.
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.