VICTORIAN 1850 GIA Bar Brooch In 15Kt Gold With Natural Pearls & Diamonds
An antique early Victorian brooch with natural pearls
This is a beautiful corsage brooch created in England during the very early Victorian period, back in the 1840-1850. The fabulous brooch has been crafted with multiples scrolls in solid yellow gold of 15 karats topped with silver and polished finish. It is fitted at the reverse with a hinged horizontal pin bar and a hook to be wear. This brooch is embellished with two nice natural saltwater gray pearl and eighty-six sparkling white colorless European rose cuts diamonds of various shaped cuts.
Natural Saltwater Pearls
They are some of the world's most highly valued and rarest types of pearls. They are formed inside oysters or other mollusks that live in the ocean, and they develop over many years as the mollusk deposits layers of nacre around an irritant such as a piece of grit. Natural saltwater pearls are highly prized for their unique colors, shapes, and luster, which can vary depending on the type of mollusk that produced them and the conditions in which they formed. The rarity of natural saltwater pearls has made them highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs, and they are often used in high-end jewelry designs. However, the demand for natural saltwater pearls has led to overfishing and the depletion of oyster populations, which has made these pearls even more rare and more expensive in recent years. Today, most pearls on the market are cultured rather than natural, and they are produced by inserting a small bead or piece of tissue into an oyster or mussel to stimulate pearl growth.
The Victorian Jewelry
This era is one of the most influenced and influential periods of antique jewelry. This period is defined by the British monarch, in this case, Alexandrina Victoria, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as the Empress of India, years 1837-1901. There are 3 sub-periods within this era. First, the early, Romantic period, which is soaked in traditions, natural motifs in gold and silver, clear stones only being worn during the day and colored gems by night. The second being the Grand or mourning period, which coincides with the death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert the consort, who died in December of 1861. This period included large, dark, somber, dramatic jewelry, with a lot of black onyx, jet wood, amethyst, garnet and gold. This lasted until 1880's, when the aesthetic period of jewelry began. The Late or third stage of the Victorian period, use more complex and feminine motifs, returning to the natural, including many floral and celestial designs, with more decadent gemstones, lasting until the turn of the century. The Victorian era of jewelry includes many movements found in other countries, including revivals such as the Etruscan the Roman and the Egyptian as well as the Art Nouveau, Liberty style and Arts and Crafts design movements which lead into the beginning of the twentieth century.
Country: London, England.
Period: Early Victorian, circa 1840-1850.
Pearl: Mount in the center hanging in drilled settings, with 2 natural saltwater light gray pearls of 7.54 mm and 8.58 mm respectively. Please refer to the Gia pearl certificate included.
Larger Diamonds: Mount in mixed settings, with 12 calibrated European rose cut diamonds of different shapes, with an estimate combined weight of about 1.80 carats, F/G/H color, VS/SI clarity.
Smaller Diamonds: Mount in millegrain round bezels, with 86 European rose cut diamonds, with an estimate combined weight of about 2.58 carats, white colorless F color, VS clarity.
Weight: 19.21 Grams, (12.35 Dwt).
Measurements: 46 mm by 48 mm by 6 mm (1.81 x 1.89 x 0.24 Inch).
Hallmarks: Unmarked as usual for Victorian jewelry but electronically tested for 15kt gold as follows, .625/.999 Au. and for the silver .800/.999 Ar.
Collateral: This brooch is accompanied by a GIA laboratory pearl report number 2235421864 and dated October 22, 2024, stating they are natural saltwater pearls from the Pinctada mollusk species.
Collateral: This brooch is accompanied by a certificate appraisal prepared by a GIA certified gemologist stating all the characteristics of this piece of jewelry, the exact description of the five gemstones and the today's market replacement value.
Collateral: This antique brooch is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this antique Victorian brooch is excellent. Besides the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. The 100 gemstones are secured in their settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P122224SNRE/.3601
