What does a double Albert mean?

Two drops instead of one. The watch hangs from one, and the second commonly ends in a fob, medallion or sovereign case. Double appears in rather more than a quarter of titles on Sellingantiques, and the plain silver double is the most repeated listing in the archive.

Are Alberts silver or gold?

Both, in roughly similar numbers. Silver accounts for about half the category, gold for just under a third, and 9ct is by far the commonest gold. Rose gold turns up in more titles than yellow, which is unusual for a gold category. Rolled gold forms a small band, and 15ct, 18ct and Continental chains a thin tier at the top.

How old are most Alberts?

Dealer-entered dates span 1800 to 1960, but the mass of dated listings falls between 1880 and 1930. Victorian and 19th Century are period labels rather than years, so a chain described that way may be anywhere across a long stretch. Titles quoting an assay year, from 1887 to 1926, date most tightly.

Can an Albert be worn as a necklace?

A large share are now listed that way. Necklace appears in nearly a third of titles, with chokers and bracelets alongside. The necklace-length group clusters around 13 to 17 inches, while watch chains start near 12 inches and guard chains run up to 58.

Which link patterns turn up most?

Curb, the twisted flattened link, is the commonest pattern in the archive. Trombone follows, usually with love-knot spacers between the links. Graduated links, increasing in size toward the centre, appear in a fair number of titles. Paperclip, Figaro, book chain and star links show up as one-offs.

Who made antique Alberts?

Names are not the currency here. Listings identify these chains by metal, link, weight and hallmark rather than by any chainmaker or retailer. About twenty-four Alberts a year come to market on Sellingantiques, listed by thirty-four different dealers, which makes it a category most general jewellery dealers touch rather than a specialism.

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Antique Alberts

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An Albert is a man's pocket-watch chain, with a T-bar at one end to sit through a waistcoat buttonhole and a clip or swivel at the other to carry the watch.