-Black Starr & Frost 1925 Art Deco Rock Quartz Brooch In Platinum With Diamonds
An art deco brooch designed by Black, Starr & Frost.
Beautiful antique brooch, created in America during the art deco period, back in the 1925. This elegant brooch has been crafted by the jewelry company of Black Starr & Frost in solid .900/.999 platinum with high polished finish. The craftsmanship is impeccable and was designed with a hint of Chinoiserie patterns and embellished with thirty-three natural earth mined gemstones such: white colorless diamonds and translucent rock quartz. The brooch is finished with Millegrain design and is fitted at the reverse with a hinged pin bar with a mechanical security lock.
Chinoiserie
The term chinoiserie is from the French word chinois, meaning “Chinese” and refers to European artistic style that reflects the influence of China and is characterized by the use of Chinese designs, asymmetry, whimsical changes in size, the use of lacquered materials and abundant decoration. Chinoiserie entered Europe in about the last quarter of the 17th century and reached its peak in the mid-18th century, when it was assimilated by Rococo.
Diamonds: Mounted in a pave setting, with 32 round brilliant cuts diamonds, 1.28 carats, white colorless E/F color, VS-2 clarity.
Rock Quartz: Mount by screws, with 1 round fancy cabochon cut carved from natural rock quartz of about 26 carats.
Birthstone: Rock quartz for the month of April.
Weight: 12.30 Grams, (7.98 Dwt).
Measurements: 45 mm by 39 mm (1.78 x 1.54 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the platinum, the four digits serial numbers and signed, "BS&F 3561".
Black, Starr & Frost
This company is the oldest continuously operating jewelry firm in the United States and the origins date back to the company of Marquand & Co., founded in 1810 in New York City by the silversmith Isaac Marquand, whose family immigrated from France. In 1839 the company was purchased by Henry Ball, Erasmus Tompkins, and William Black, and renamed Ball, Tompkins & Black until 1851 when it became Ball, Black & Company. In 1876 it acquired its current name, Black, Starr & Frost, when new partners Cortlandt Starr and Aaron Frost joined the firm. In 1860, the firm opened a store at the intersection of the corner of Broadway and Prince Street in New York City, and in 1912 they moved to the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 48th Street, known as the diamond district. In 1929 it merged with Gorham to become Black, Starr & Frost and Gorham. During the interlude from 1940-1962 it was known as Black Starr Frost Gorham as it partnered with Gorham Manufacturing Company; however, the name reverted to Black, Starr & Frost in 1960. Indeed, the most influential families of the time were its clients. Among them, in particular, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Rockefellers, Guggenheim and Windsor. The company opened one of the first stores on Fifth Avenue in New York. It was here that celebrities and royal families bought some of the largest gems in the world. By the way, Marilyn Monroe mentioned the company in one of her popular songs, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.”
Millegrain
This is a jewelry technique which refers to the textural effect of a close-set line of metal beads that are typically used as a border on the edges or bezels of jewelry.
Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this brooch is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the platinum. The 33 gemstones are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and the authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P042724ASNM/.3548
