Oval Gold Charm Pendant
An oval gold charm pendant brings together small-scale portraiture, devotional medals and gemstones inside a neat rounded frame.
Oval Gold Charm Pendant
An oval gold charm pendant spans several distinct eras, appearing in Victorian, Edwardian and mid-century designs. You encounter pieces fashioned from 9ct gold, 14ct yellow gold and 18ct yellow gold, often housing miniature portraits or religious motifs.
Many examples double as lockets or medals, featuring French religious iconography alongside simpler gemstone settings. The selection ranges from plain metal frames to pieces clustered with opals, garnets and diamonds.
The layout typically centres on an oval shape, whether framing a cabochon stone, a mother-of-pearl plaque or an enamelled devotional scene. These jewels served as personal tokens or commemorative items, carrying sentimental weight.
Assessing quality and craftsmanship
Quality rests in the precision of the metalwork, such as the fineness of twisted wire frames and the crispness of stamped devotional medals. Superior pieces display securely flush stones and balanced proportions between the gold mount and the central gem.
The depth of detail in portrait miniatures or enamelled scenes distinguishes finer items from simpler production. Heavier gold weight and robust hinge mechanisms on locket variants also signal superior manufacture.
French makers tucked tiny stamped hallmarks onto the tiny suspension rings of devotional medals.
Mazzoni·Monier Perriat·Arnault
The Oval Gold Charm Pendant Glossary
- Cabochon
- A gemstone shaped and polished with a smooth, convex surface rather than faceted. This cut is particularly common for opals and moonstones found in these mounts.
- Filigree
- Ornamental work consisting of fine wire soldered together in delicate patterns. It frequently decorates the edges of mid-century gold frames.
- Locket
- A small ornamental case worn on a chain, designed to hold a photograph or lock of hair. Victorian examples in this shape often feature hinged backs.
- Medal
- A flat piece of metal bearing an inscription or design, minted to commemorate a person or event. French religious examples frequently take this oval format.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl, often drilled and threaded. These appear in Victorian and Edwardian clusters surrounding a central stone.
Oval Gold Charm Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What era are these pendants from?
The pieces span from the Victorian and Edwardian periods through to the mid-20th century. You will find items dated across the decades up to the 1960s.
Victorian and Edwardian versions often feature seed pearls or miniature portraits, whilst later mid-century examples lean towards substantial opal and garnet clusters.
How were devotional medals worn?
Devotional medals were typically suspended from chains as personal talismans or tokens of faith. Many French examples include integrated loops for this purpose.
They functioned both as visible statements of belief and private keepsakes, often worn close to the heart.
What stones are most common?
Opals appear frequently, ranging from white cabochons to black opals with strong play of colour. Garnets and diamonds also feature regularly in cluster arrangements.
Moonstones, seed pearls and pastes complete the predominant selection of set materials.
Are all these items lockets?
Only specific pieces function as lockets, featuring hinged covers designed to hold small photographs or keepsakes. Many other examples are solid gold frames set with gemstones or solid devotional medals.
Check the construction of the specific piece to see if it opens or remains a solid pendant.