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Antique Australian 9ct Gold Double Sided Photo Locket by Robert Rollason Circa 1905

Sale price$625.00 AUD

Laybys welcome! Contact Us today to secure your dream piece.
Large example of the ever popular antique double sided photo locket, this example by well known early Australian jeweller Robert Rollason, Sydney, 1888-1925, and hallmarked as such.

Featuring a scrolling ornate border, each section set with a faceted green garnet doublet, and interspersed with gold ball decoration.

Crafted from 9ct rose gold however the gold has been ‘bloomed’** which gives it the appearance of higher carat yellow gold. (See info below).

With original panes and secure and easy to use screw top mechanism this very pretty locket is just waiting for its new forever home.

History of Blooming

Blooming, a popular finishing technique for karat gold jewelry from 1870 to 1890, was first documented in 1853. The means for creating a bloom finish involved dipping a karat into a boiling mixture of hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), saltpeter (potassium nitrate), salt and water.

This process burned off any alloys  on the surface resulting in an alloy-free, thin layer of soft, pure gold on the item. This thin gold skin was dotted by an infinite number of microscopic pits or holes which caused the matte sheen. The effect is reminiscent of the soft skin found on a peach. Dipping the item into the boiling mixture was referred to as colouring, and  resulting sheen was termed bloom".

(Credit Lang Antique University).

STONES
Garnet topped doublets

MEASUREMENTS
4.5cm Diameter
5.0cm x 4.5cm With loop

WEIGHT
7.44 Grams

MARKS
‘RR’ For Robert Rollason / 9

CONDITION
Very very good antique condition.  Panes original with only superficial insignificant marks.  Screw top works perfectly.  Lovely patina to gold, hints of rose with the high carat blooming.