Vintage Heart-Shaped Sunburst Pendant with Jade and Pearl

This is a vintage heart-shaped pendant, likely crafted from yellow gold or gold-plated base metal featuring a prominent sunburst or radial textured finish. The pendant's central design consists of a circular inner frame containing a free-form, moss-green nephrite jade cabochon. This jade stone is held in place by small decorative prongs. Directly below the jade is a single, round white cultured pearl, which appears to be glued or pinned into a base setting. The overall piece measures approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in width and height. The outer heart border is polished, contrasting with the fine linear ribbing of the sunburst interior. At the top of the heart is a split bail for a chain. The style and construction are characteristic of mid-20th-century costume or semi-precious jewelry, roughly dating from the 1960s to 1980s. Condition-wise, the piece shows visible wear and surface scratches, particularly on the polished edges. There appears to be minor loss of luster on the pearl and some accumulation of residue or oxidation in the recessed grooves of the sunburst pattern. No visible maker's marks or metal stamps are present in this view, though they would typically be located on the reverse side or the bail.

I have examined the digital representation of this vintage heart-shaped sunburst pendant. Based on the stylistic elements, such as the textured radial finish and the combination of nephrite jade and a cultured pearl, this piece is typical of mid-century 'boutique' jewelry (circa 1960s-1970s). The absence of visible hallmark stamps in the photograph suggests the metal is likely gold-filled or a gold-tone base metal rather than solid 14k or 18k gold. The jade appears to be a natural nephrite cabochon of commercial grade, exhibiting a typical moss-green mottled appearance, while the pearl shows signs of wear consistent with age. The market for mid-century costume and semi-precious jewelry remains steady but saturated. Comparables for non-designer, unsigned pieces of this era generally sell within the double-digit range. The value is restrained by the visible surface oxidation in the recessed grooves and the minor loss of luster on the pearl, which suggests it may have been exposed to perfumes or skin oils over time. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on visual inspection of images. Authenticity of the metal cannot be confirmed without a professional acid test or XRF analysis to determine gold content. Furthermore, the jade has not been tested for dye or polymer impregnation, and the pearl's origin (freshwater vs. saltwater) cannot be definitively verified without measuring its nacre depth and luster in person. A physical inspection would also be required to check for hidden maker’s marks on the reverse side, which could significantly increase the value if attributed to a known house like Trifari or Monet.