Victorian crescent moon and star brooch with old miners and rose cut diamonds

Antique jewelry object group: brooches

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Victorian
(more info on styles)

Period: ca. 1870
(events and facts in 1870)

Source of inspiration: the universe

Theme: Halley's comet - It could be possible that the brooch was made to celebrate the passage of Halley's comet. The passage of Halley inspired jewellers to make jewels in the shape of celestial bodies. This comet appears every 76 years. In 1705 Edmond Halley predicted, using Newton's newly formulated laws of motion, that the comet seen in 1531, 1607, and 1682 would return in 1758 (which was, alas, after his death). The comet did indeed return as redicted and was later named in his honor.

Material: Silver on top and backed with 18K red gold (see explanation on silver on gold).
(more info on precious metals)

Technique: Gold-backed silver or the silver on gold technique. This technique finds its origin centuries ago, when jewelers believed that only a silver mounting could render the true beauty of a diamond. Backing the silver jewel with a (thin) layer of gold was a practical precaution taken to avoid the silver jewelry leaving black stains on clothing or skin. Over the years, with the recognition (and thus use) of platinum as precious metal and the development of white gold the practical necessity to use bi-colored material became obsolete. The argument to use bi-colored metals became more an estetic then a practical one.

Diamonds: Ten old mine brilliant cut diamonds with a total estimated weight of approx. 0.75 crt. and 68 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
Note: All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
(more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
(more info on hallmarks)

Condition: excellent condition
(more info on our condition scale)

Dimensions: diameter approximately 3.90 cm (1.54 inch)

Weight: 11.00 gram (7.07 dwt)

Reference Nº: 09307-4373

See also our:
victorian jewelry, victorian brooches, all brooches, silver on gold jewelry, stars, crescent moon jewelry, jewelry with universe motif, jewelry with rose cut diamonds, jewelry with diamond, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


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