This is a lovely little hair brooch that I have taken out of my own collection to offer for sale to Ruby Lane Customers. I love it, but have not worn it in several years because I have been collecting Stuart Crystals, and sepia miniatures with messages. This is a wonderful, relatively inexpensive piece, for memorial or hair jewelry lovers. The hair is cased in gold, either 10 or 14 carat, and the piece retains its original "c" clasp, and "t" hinge. There is no damage to the hair work, and the brooch measures 7/8 of an inch East to West, and 1/2 inch North to South. I like this type of piece, because one can pick it up, and put it on, without touching the hairwork. The gold fittings protect the hair. I imagine that's why this circa 1860's piece is still in such excellent condition.