Antique Sweetheart’s Locket-Wightman & Hough Co., Providence, RI

Made between 1910 and 1919 by the Wighton & Hough Co. in Providence, RI
USA.

W & H Co. was a jewelry maker from 1856-1922. In 1910, they began producing a large catalog of romantic-themed jewelry pieces including a line of “sweetheart necklaces” with lockets that were in the shape of hearts. A change from the company’s custom pure gold and silver pieces, W & H Co. wanted to mass produce using “gold filled” processes of the sweetheart models and designs for the servicemen going overseas during WWI. The lockets were the perfect gift to give to the love interests of the soldiers & sailors.
W & H Co. had a slogan “There’s a heart in every locket!” when the 1910 catalog was released. The catalog was distributed mainly in the American upper eastern coastal cities especially in NYC and Hoboken, NJ where the New York Port of Embarkation was located. This is where some of the 1.6 million soldiers and sailors left their sweethearts for war. The lucky girls would get a sweetheart necklace with “his and her” photos as a keepsake or love momento.
W & H Co. made the lockets out of plated sterling silver or gold-filled. The lockets were decorated by etching or repousse, with gems or a cameo.
Stamped on the inside of the back of this locket is Sterling + 1/20-12k. This was affordable gold processing that all people could purchase as well as young servicemen. This the breakdown…

Sterling: This refers to sterling silver, an alloy composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper. Sterling silver is known for its durability.
On an item with mixed metals, it means the silver parts are high-quality sterling silver.

• 1/20: This is the legal stamp for "gold-filled" in the U.S. and means that the gold layer constitutes at least 1/20th (or 5%) of the item's total weight.

• 12k: This indicates the karat purity of the gold that was used in the gold-filled process. 12-karat gold is 50% pure gold and 50% other alloys.

• Gold-filled process: A layer of solid 12-karat gold is mechanically bonded to a base metal, which can be sterling silver or another base metal like jeweler's brass. This bonding is done with heat and pressure, resulting in a significantly thicker and more durable gold layer than with gold-plated items.

•Hypoallergenic properties: The thick layer of gold and the presence of sterling silver make this type of jewelry generally safe for sensitive skin.

The two halves of the locket are connected by a hinge and held shut by a clasp, which allows it to be opened to reveal the interior spaces meant for photos, hair, or other small mementos.

• Shell: The outer heart-shaped casing of the locket is repousse.
• Compartment: The interior space that holds the keepsake
• Hinge: The joint that connects the two halves of the locket, allowing it to open and close.
• Clasp: The mechanism that keeps the locket securely closed, often on the side opposite the hinge closes and snaps fine.
• Bail: The loop at the top of the locket where the chain is threaded through is a bendable “flap class”.
• Interior spaces: The two sides within the locket that hold the mementos are fitted for Left and Right.
•Style: ART DECO
•Condition - Fair, Antique patina
> Can be refurbished or a collectible display . NO CHAIN IS INCLUDED

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