Antique Diamond Encrusted Brooch

No matter how many pieces of antique jewelry you might see in a day, a week, or a year, beholding some jewels just gives you pause. It simply represents what jewelry is absolutely all about. It is a rare case indeed when early foiled diamond emanate with pure fire and light – and this jewel has everything one could want. Even in dim light, this has more impact and glitter than you can imagine. One of the sure signs of period early diamonds is their irregularity. Look on EBay, and you will see a host of “Georgian” jewelry and if you examine them closely, you will see that all the reproduction pieces can be often spotted as the diamonds have a perfectly round perimeter. (This is not the only judge of an early versus reproduction piece so please educate yourself or consult an expert). In other words, modern diamonds machine cut to a perfect circle. But these diamonds in this brooch, not one is perfectly round, and each is hand cut with the charming foibles and irregularities in form that all early diamonds possess. Even the facets are entirely irregular.

For the entire brooch we have a staggering 4 carats plus of diamond weight. (All weights are estimate as rose cuts in closed settings cannot be weighed). The largest gem is over a half carat at about six tenths of carats. Four of the next largest stones range from one half carat to .4 carats. Double rose cuts - very high and more faceted than their simple or single rose cut counterparts, of much of the reason we have so much brilliance in evidence. Rather than say, six or so facets, we have eighteen facets at the top. More refraction equals more dynamism.

Twenty nine diamonds in all, each appears original and is set very tight and clean with the silver setting, with no evidence of any silver marred or worked. Each antique diamond is set deep within a silver mount of closed backed and foiled. The collets are pinched so there are those distinctive knobs of silver at intervals around the edge. The overall singular form, only used for a short period of time, is sensual and feminine. Sometimes referred to a shuttle shape, ones finds this shape used around 1790-1820. Almost an eye, each end is crooked up and down. The reverse is rose gold washed so that the skin and clothing is protected from patina.

Sometimes it is a marvel that after over 200 years can go by, and yet a piece of jewelry can remain in nearly perfect condition. The only small change that has occurred with this brooch is that there was an expert reinforcement to the underside of each end which serves as the base for the pin mechanism and a switch to safety catch, rather than a “C” clasp. Otherwise, this brooch in mint condition. A tiny amount of surface wear the gold underside. Measures 1.5 inches by just under 11/16 inches wide at the center. (3.5 cm by 1.7 cm). Must be seen to be believed and appreciated. Ravishing. Wear this with jeans or at the finest event.

Would make a perfect pendant and we can have a slide made for the pin stem that allows this to be worn as such without changing the brooch at all. Keywords: Estate Georgian Diamond Jewelry.

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