there is some more information on Pinchbeck jewelry at the following link: https://www.antique-jewelry-investor.com/invest-in-georgian-jewelry.html
Kind Regards Yvonne
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Pincheck Risk Management by: Anonymous
Although it was much cheaper than gold, pinchbeck jewelry often displays fine craftsmanship, as it was used as "travelling jewelry" by well-to-do people as a form of risk management. Cheers.
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Pincbeck Feels Lighter than Gold by: Judith P.
Pinchbeck should look like gold; it retains its bright gold colour even today, It will not go rusty. Pinchbeck is also lightweight compared to gold.
The locket looks silver in the photos.
Nice Locket though!
Judith
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Thank you! by: Anonymous
Your thoughtful response is appreciated!
The more I look at this locket and chain, the more I am stumped. It still looks like brass, but the finish is completely matte---even dull. Perhaps it once had a plating?
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In Memory of a Beloved Locket - Possibly German by: Anonymous
Good Morning Carla!
Thank you for your patronage! This antique locket is beautiful! Three forget me-not flowers with their blue stamens represent the colour of unforgettable which is blue. It is the flower of remembrance. Legends have sprung up around this sweet flower, most notably from Germany. In a German legend, God named all the plants when a tiny unnamed one cried out, "Forget-me-not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your name."
Another legend tells when the Creator thought he had finished giving the flowers their colours, he heard one whisper "Forget me not!" There was nothing left but a very small amount of blue, but the forget-me-not was delighted to wear such a light blue shade.
Henry IV adopted the flower as his symbol during his exile in 1398, and retained the symbol upon his return to England the following year.
In 15th-century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted "forget me not".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forget-me-not
It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love. The rose in full bloom on the reverse mean I Love You.
The metal could possibly be pinchbeck (not sure) or a "pinchbeck formula". There were lots of imitations and a variety of alloy formulas and other countries developed their own versions. Another possibility is German Silver - a silver alloy of copper, silver and zinc. German Silver can be marked E.P.N.S.
Pinchbeck was invented by Christopher Pinchbeck (1670-1732). It is not a plating or a coating but a solid metal made (some say) by mixing 4 parts copper and 3 parts zinc. The metal contained no gold but looked like gold.
