authentic victorian 1800s 7k gold tears of penthos human hair mourning brooch

jewelry or artwork made of human hair was common throughout the victorian era as a form of carrying one's sentiments for the deceased. because human hair does not decay, these pieces can last in near-perfect condition for hundreds of years. this absolutely STUNNING brooch comes from my personal collection and features a crescent form with three hanging drops which are meant to symbolize tears shed by those in mourning. when i initially purchased it from a reputable collector i was assured that it is made from 7k gold but i haven't had it tested so i can't say with 150% certainty. it's in incredible vintage condition, especially considering it's ~170 years old. a tiny bit of fraying at one tip of the crescent and the metal could use a bit of a clean, but the tarnishing is minimal for its age. weight: 2.55 grams