How do I open an antique locket?

Most lockets use a small side hinge and a tiny fingernail notch to release a snap closure. Care must be taken not to force older gold frames. Glass-topped or screw-bezel variants require gently unscrewing the outer rim rather than pulling the covers apart.

Can I put a modern photo inside?

Original paper photographs in antique pieces are often small and irregularly shaped. Modern prints can be trimmed carefully to fit the interior bezel. Thinner paper works best to avoid straining the delicate internal gold rims when the case closes.

What is back and front gold?

Back and front refers to a nineteenth-century manufacturing method where the visible exterior surfaces are made of solid gold, such as 9ct rose gold. The interior plates and structural hinges utilise a base metal core for added strength without increasing the overall cost.

How do I tell a Victorian locket from an Edwardian one?

Victorian pieces tend to feature heavier proportions, deep hand-engraving, black enamel and rich rose gold tones associated with mourning and sentimental tokens. Edwardian examples often display lighter, airier designs with platinum or high-carat yellow gold, featuring delicate seed pearls, star motifs and openwork frames.