What is an antique wax seal charm?

An antique wax seal charm is a historic pocket accessory featuring a hardstone base carved with an intaglio design, mounted in gold or gilt metal to be worn as jewellery. These pieces originally served to stamp hot wax on letters and documents before being adapted as decorative pendants and bracelet charms.

How do you wear a fob seal?

Fob seals can be suspended from a neck chain as a pendant, hung from a traditional pocket watch chain, or attached directly to a charm bracelet. Their substantial weight and sculptural mounts make them versatile for daily wear either singly or grouped together.

What stones are used in seal charms?

Makers utilised hardstones durable enough to withstand repeated pressure against sealing wax, predominantly carnelian and bloodstone. Other materials found in these mounts include chalcedony, sardonyx, agate, and occasionally enamelled panels.

How can you tell the period of a seal?

Dating relies on the style of the metal mount, the nature of the gold standard marks, and the specific engraving conventions of the era. Georgian pieces often feature heavy chased gold settings, while Victorian and Edwardian examples incorporate diverse stone shapes and swivel frames.