Antique Silver, Diamond & Carved Tortoise Shell Cross Pendant & Chain Ram head bracelet The use of the heart

The use of the heart shape gained popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries and became widely used in jewelry design throughout the subsequent centuries

Diamonds estimated at

As popular as fringe necklaces were in the early days of civilization they receded from fashion until rediscovered in the late 19th century as archaeologists unearthed these ancient civilizations

Laura dresses in traditional Victorian clothes

the heart was rather popular in Victorian-era jewelry

Antique Silver, Diamond & Carved Tortoise Shell Cross Pendant & Chain Ram head bracelet The use of the heartTortoise shell is the name for the outer blades covering the upper shell of the Hawksbill turtle and the Loggerhead turtle. Tortoise shell has been valued for use in jewelry since Roman times. Now a banned material, it was popular during the nineteenth century to make combs, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cameos and decorative inlays from tortoise shell. The ability to use heat for shaping made tortoise shell an ideal jewelry material. This cross