Sentimental Jewelry in Colonial Canada: Conservation of a Sealed Locket from Stanley Barracks

Ontario Archaeology Symposium, 2022
Kaitlyn McMullen

A poster presentation showing the conservation treatments of a locket found at the Stanley Barracks site. The corrosion on this sentimental jewelry piece functioned to seal the edges of the locket, creating a possibility that a photo or lock of hair might be preserved inside. A treatment of mechanical removal combined with swabbing with diluted formic acid was used along the edge of the seam so as to allow the piece to be opened. Detailed artifact photos show the locket before and after treatment.