It’s My Favorite Discovery

A small gold-colored charm shaped like a lantern, approximately an inch in length, with a crystal center and a 14k stamp located on the bottom of the charm provides more than just visual appeal; its switch and crystal top indicate it’s a vintage 14k lantern charm which exemplifies a time period of mechanical jewelry.

A Mid-Century Marvel of Mechanical Jewelry

During the latter half of the 1950s through the 1960s, jewelers started creating charms that were mechanical. Many of these smaller pieces would move, open, or illuminate using new watch batteries. This lantern charm utilized a small grain-of-wheat bulb and a battery operated switch to create a realistic glow behind the crystal or glass.

Jewelry Design Meets Micro-Engineering

Each of these charms married the art of jewelry design with the science of micro-engineering in the following ways:

• 14k gold casing
• Design of the crystal or glass to represent a flame
• Base spring-loaded switch
• Battery power provided by a tiny button-cell battery

Components of the Vintage 14k Lantern Charm

Many examples contain:

• Movable base which turns on the internal bulb
• Top portion of the gold alloy non-magnetic
• Magnetic base typically indicating there are battery or mechanical components within
• Crystal body, cut to refract and increase the light

The internal bulb was very small. Also, many of the battery types used in the past (such as mercury or silver oxide) have become obsolete. Non-working examples can be collected because of their gold content and craftsmanship.

Collector Appeal

Collectors will look for these charms based upon the:

• Value of the gold (solid gold or gold casing), 14k
• Novelty of the mechanical parts
• Craftsmanship of jewelers such as Wells or Walter Lampl
• Sentimental value of the storytelling associated with a charm bracelet

Working versions, where the lantern still illuminates, are much less common and therefore more valuable.

Thrift Store Discoveries

Discovering a vintage 14k lantern charm while browsing through thrift stores is a great find. The design of the lantern represents a time frame where charms were not simply ornamental, but interactive. Regardless if it’s being worn as a pendant or as a piece of a charm bracelet, it encompasses all aspects of sentiment, craftsmanship and innovation.