.02 Antique Victorian Leo Zodiac Lion Pendant 14k

This Victorian 14K yellow gold locket pendant measures 26.3mm x 23.3mm and features a Leo zodiac lion design with a .02-carat old mine cut diamond. Old mine cuts were hand-cut during the Victorian era and create a different sparkle pattern than modern brilliant cuts, with chunkier flashes and a softer overall effect.

A dimensional lion represents the Leo zodiac sign on the front, and the locket opens to reveal an original photograph still preserved inside. The back has an engraved "D" that may indicate the original owner's initial. At just over an inch tall, this locket has good presence without feeling too heavy on a chain, and the hinged opening mechanism still functions after more than a century.