Clasp of a Stuart Crystal with hair and

Stuart Crystals first appeared after 1649 as tokens of loyalty to the executed Charles I, the Stuart King of England. Faceted rock crystal with a plaited lock of his hair, his image or his initials, were distributed and worn by his followers, loyalists to James II who were referred to as Jacobites. These rings, slides and tokens of rock crystal found throughout the late 1600's were transformed into a type of memorial jewelry. Even until the mid 18th Century the style, termed Jacobite Jewelry, influenced jewelry design. This nicely faceted slide set in 18K has a bed of plaited hair, gold initials, MEJ, dated 1724. Condition: excellent