Victorian Rock Crystal with Carved Banded Agate Fly Necklace

Most people these days think of flies as annoying, unwanted pests. However, for our Victorian ancestors, these winged insects held a much deeper, spiritual meaning. 

Going hand in hand with 19th-century society's fascination with death and memento mori, the fly was often used as a representation of human mortality and spiritual humility. 

They also were believed to ward off evil when worn as a talisman, which could be why we see a number of fly motifs, such as this, in jewelry of the era. 

On a lighter note, Victorians also believed that the fly symbolized secrets and secret keeping given its ability to silently listen and observe the happenings around them without uttering a word or disturbing a soul.  A "fly on the wall," anyone?

We like to think of this fly as the secret keeper. 

Perched upon a flawless piece of faceted rock crystal sits a beautiful carved banded agate fly with golden 9k legs casually listening and witnessing the world around it. 

The attached loop is also 9k while the bail and chain are newer gold-filled additions.