Antique Victorian Silver Bloodstone Opening Orb Locket

A genuine sphere of bloodstone, deep green flecked through with flashes of red jasper, hinged to open into two hollowed halves. This is proper Victorian craftsmanship, the kind of hand-cut hardstone locket made to hold something precious inside, a lock of hair or a tiny keepsake. The natural banding of the stone continues through the interior, so both halves are just as striking as the outside. Substantial in the hand, with the hinge still working smoothly after well over a century. This is one of those pieces where the photos do not do it justice, purely because it reflects so much light that it is tricky to capture its colours!

Tested Silver, no hallmarks
Bloodstone, opens on a hinge, Victorian, mid-to-late 19th century
2.1cm diameter
8.8g