This is an unusual Victorian spinner fob and locket crafted in warm rose-coloured rolled gold, a popular and affordable alternative to solid gold in the 19th century. The design features a revolving mount that allows the central panel to spin freely, offering two distinct faces in one jewel. On one side is a finely polished panel of bloodstone (heliotrope), and on the reverse is a vibrant carnelian.

The bloodstone, a deep green chalcedony flecked with red, was highly prized in the Victorian era for its talismanic properties. It was associated with vitality, courage, and protection, and often believed to guard the wearer from harm. The carnelian, a rich translucent orange-red chalcedony, was equally significant- valued for its warm colour and regarded as a stone of energy, passion, and good fortune. Victorians often used such stones not just for beauty, but for their perceived metaphysical qualities and symbolic messages.

Technically, the piece is made in rolled gold (also called gold-filled), a method developed in the 19th century where a thick sheet of gold was mechanically bonded to a base metal core. This created durable jewellery with the appearance of solid gold, making luxury accessible to a wider audience. The spinner mechanism, mounted within a sturdy frame, allowed the wearer to rotate the locket at will- an ingenious blend of functionality and novelty that made such fobs popular on watch chains and chatelaines.

The locket element, opening discreetly to hold a portrait, lock of hair, or small keepsake, reflects the Victorian fascination with sentiment and remembrance. Jewellery of this type often carried deeply personal significance, serving as both ornament and intimate memento.

Overall, this spinner fob/locket is not only a charming piece of Victorian ingenuity but also a symbolic jewel- combining the protective and energising powers of bloodstone and carnelian within a versatile and technically sophisticated design.

4cm (with bale) x 3cm

Comes on a 45cm gold filled chain