While in her later portraits, the rather dour, rotund older woman dressed all in black hardly seems to resemble someone we would today deem a fashionista, no one had more influence over the styles of her day than Queen Victoria-a fact that became even more apparent after the 1861 death of her beloved consort, Prince Albert. Suddenly mourning jewelry was all the rage.

Well, while we're sure the lacy rope-and-openwork delicacy of our 2006-era locket will evoke nothing but joy, all but the V&A curator himself would date it to the day when Queen Victoria first donned her widow's weeds. Embellished with as many as 45 dove gray seed pearls and 64 marcasite stones, it's set in .925 sterling silver antiqued with oxidizing.

Almost 2" long and stamped on the back with a floral motif, the working locket is suspended by rabbit ear bail to an 18" twisted rope chain. The ring boasts 15 seed pearls and 16 marcasites. The half hoops, 5 seed pearls and 8 marcasite stones on each.