A. You have a turn-of-the-(20th) century fruit-knife set. The handles are mother-of-pearl (not plastic, bakelite or ivory). The blades are stainless steel with a pattern that is sterling silver. There are similar sets which were made with elephant ivory handles. The mother-of-pearl lasts longer, with less breakage and cracking.

This eight-piece fruit-knife set is worth $250 at auction. The handles are mother-of-pearl, and the blades are stainless steel. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Bakelite and plastic will have gas bubbles that look like donut rings. The eight-piece fruit-knife set you have has a value of $250 at auction. There were sets of these knives sold by Shreve & Co., Tiffany & Co., Peacocks, and manufactured in Sheffield, England and Germany. A set by Tiffany & Co. would be in the price range of $1,200 or more.

Q. I live in the Volcano area of the Big Island. I have a locket I have owned for more than 25 years. I believe it is made of silver. It measures 1 1/8 inches by 5/8 of an inch wide. That the piece was obtained in Australia is the only information I have. I'm told it is at least 213 years old. Perhaps you can shed some more light.

A. Thank you for your letter and phone call about your locket. You do a have a sterling silver locket from England, with six hallmarks. You have the hallmark for the lion passant, and the crown mark is for Sheffield, England. The crown does not appear to be the same for the year 1791 or 1792. There are script letters "L" and "C." The letter "L" appears for the year 1790. There are several other marks that are for the reigning monarch and the silversmith who made the locket. The front of the locket has been engraved in a floral and leaf motif. There is a section on one side for a monogram to be engraved.

Luckily, your locket has not been engraved, which would lower the value. The value would increase if you knew more of the history. (Australia was once a penal colony for England, and extremely old jewelry is not often found.)

Old English lockets are very collectable, and the values range depending on the date (year) stamp and with the monarch. Your locket value also depends on the gram or pennyweight of the sterling silver. The value is from $75-$250 at auction. The locket will bring a higher value at auction on the East Coast rather than the West Coast or here in Hawai'i.

Brenda Reichel is the owner of Carats & Karats Fine Jewelry. She is a graduate gemologist (Gemological Institute of America) and a member of the International Society of Appraisers, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, and Accredited Gemologists Association. Reichel is the host of "Gemnews," a weekly radio program on KWAI 1080AM, which airs 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays.