This breathtaking antique mourning pendant c.1850s is one of the most sensational pieces to ever be offered by Songbird Sara Jewelry. It is named for Violetta, the heroine of Giuseppe Verdi’s famous opera La traviata which premiered in 1853 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Italy. From the color of this coral and the time period in which this piece was made, we can deduce that the gorgeous coral in this piece came from Southern Italy. Of specific note is the uniformity of color in the custom cut coral cabochons used throughout the piece. These custom cabochons  were expertly cut from one single piece of fine coral, and they aged uniformly, resulting in uniform color throughout. This piece was expertly cared for and is in pristine antique condition. This piece is beautifully crafted from gold topped with silver. It is adorned with 1.33ctw in Old Mine Cut and Antique rose cut diamonds with G/H/I color and VS1/VS2/SI1 clarity. Every element was meticulously planned and chosen for its harmony with the other elements of the piece. I love how the crown of the diamond is just a bit taller than the coral, making it really pop! This locket measures 2” x 1” and weighs 9.4 grams. The compartment on the back would have been intended to hold hair of a decease loved one, but can be used to hold a photo. If this is your intention, a trusted jeweler can assist you. This piece has been evaluated and appraised by an Appraiser/GIA Graduate Gemologist at a value of $8,500 and comes with an appraisal which will be made out in the name of the buyer. Due to the insurance value and contents of this piece, it can only be shipped within the United States.