14k White Gold Diamond Bracelet
Q.A woman from Orem, Utah, brought a beautiful example of American hair jewelry. An important part of American jewelry history, hair jewelry was brought to America by the English and became a cottage industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, noted appraiser Joyce Jonas. When a person passed away, locks of their hair were woven into earrings, brooches and bracelets using designs published in popular catalogues. The woman had inherited a bracelet woven around 1805 from her great-great-grandfather's hair. A gold locket served as a clasp, engraved on the outside and containing braided locks of her great-great-grandmother's blond hair on the inside. Two different shades of blond were visible, noted Ms. Jonas, the lighter color most likely from when she was young and the darker from when she got older. A heart attached to the clasp underscored the love and remembrance that people attached to this jewelry, Ms. Jonas remarked. The bracelet, beautifully and intricately woven, was the finest piece, despite a bit of damage. The earrings were probably from a catalogue design. The brooch was a love knot with clasped hands at its center. "It's nice to see these pieces in good condition," said Ms. Jonas. Usually hair jewelry has more significant damage. The condition and the sentimental value of this collection made it worth about $900. any comment about this?
A.This is a museum-quality early Victorian snake bracelet made from human hair with 14k gold & diamond accents, c. 1848. It has a center wire support to hold the shape. The head and tail are hand-constructed of 14K yellow gold and decorated with very fine hand-engraving with mine cut diamonds for the eyes. The underside of the head is engraved "M.A.P. June, 1848". The head has the most wonderful detail with 4 fangs and a forked tongue and exquisite engraving (see close ups). The bracelet is tightly woven and in outstanding condition. This is truly a museum-quality piece of early Victorian mourning jewelry.
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