In this section you will find a selection of early Australian jewellery that we have to offer. Many will be signed pieces such as jewellery made by Willis, Duggin, Shappere & Co and Aronson to name a few, while others although unstamped or without a makers stamp or name are typical of early Australian jewellery.
Click here to read a brief article on early Australian jewellery and some of the makers: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/a-brief-history-of-australian-jewellery/
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Antique 15 carat gold solid crystal opal brooch made in the early 1900’s
This antique brooch was made in the early 1900's and is set with such a lovely solid opal that sits so elegantly in the centre of the brooch and will no doubt always be admired for its colour and beauty. Made in 15 carat rose gold, the brooch measures 50.8mm across by 13.5mm wide at the centre where the opal is set and is the perfect length to wear day or night and always look perfect. The solid crystal opal measures 2.70 carats and displys such wonderful greens and blue spectral colours and looks even more amazing set into the rose gold. This brooch is so elegant and refined and typical of the beautiful work created in the early 1900's. Stock# ES9728 Circa:1910 $2,600
$2,600.00 Add to cart
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Rare budgerigar brooch made by Aronson and Co in the early 1900’s
Here is a very rare antique budgerigar brooch made by the early Australian jewellery company, Aronson and Co in the early 1900's. Finding early Australia brooches in the forms of Australian flora and fauna is quite hard, however finding one specifically of a budgerigar would have to be one of the hardest of them all to find. This wonderful brooch is so full of charm and character and will no doubt always bring a smile to the faces of all who see and admire it. Made in 9 carat rose gold, the brooch is with a combination of seed pearls in the body of the budgerigar as well as the Lily of The Valley flower upon which it is sitting on. Both are also highlighted with coloured garnet topped doublets, which is an early form of paste (glass) with a sliver of garnet fused to the top to protect it from wear. In the eye of the budgerigar as well as the flower, red garnet topped doublets have been used along with green in the birds body. The splashes of colour lift the design even further making this truly such an exciting brooch to find. Measuring 41mm across by 34.6mm, this budgerigar brooch is as exciting to find as it is beautiful to wear. Stock # ES9623 Maker: Aronson & Co Circa: 1910 $3,300
$3,300.00 Add to cart
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Antique ruby and pearl brooch made by Willis and Sons in the early 1900’s
This delightful antique brooch was made by one of Australia's most prolific and well known jewellers, Willis and Sons in the early 1900's and will look so beautiful pinned to any outfit. Made in 15 carat gold in the early 1900's, the brooch was designed with a flower motif with two vibrant rubies highlighted with seed pearls in the most charming design. Measuring 44.1mm across by 20.5mm, and with an elegant upswept curve to the design, this brooch really looks so charming set against a darker toned outfit and will no doubt always be admired and appreciated for its elegant style. Stock# ES9627 Maker: Willis Circa: 1910 $1,800
$1,800.00 Add to cart
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Antique demantoid garnet Lily Of The Valley brooch
Most people are aware that garnets come in a lovely deep rich burgundy-red colour, however many are surprised to learn that garnets come in a range of colours from purple, orange to the rarest of them all, the green demantoid garnet as can be seen here in this gorgeous lily brooch. Made by the early Australian company Duggin, Shappere & Co around 1900, the brooch was made in 15 carat gold and measures 52.9mm across by 14.5mm. The history of the Lily Of The Valley brooch goes as far back as the 16th Century when King Charles IX of France gave the actual flower as a good luck charm and has remained a popular design of jewellery ever since. Set with four demantoid garnets in each "flower", the brooch is also highlighted by seed pearls that adds even more charm and character to an already very sweet and charming brooch. So elegant and refined, this brooch is the perfect accessory to sit so gracefully on any outfit where it will always be admired for its simplicity and elegance. Stock# ES9625 Maker: Duggin, Shappere & Co Circa: 1900 $1,550
$1,550.00 Add to cart
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Early Australian gold and natural pearl brooch attributed to Alfred Lorking
Early Australian jewellery has become so sought after and so extremely collectable in recent years, and here is a very exciting early Australian antique brooch that is attributed to Alfred Lorking. So typical of his work in not only the style, but the detail, form as well as the use of natural pearls makes this such a wonderful example of his work. Alfred Lorking was a Sydney jeweller who operated between 1853 to 1859 making his pieces not only one some of the oldest pieces of Australian jewellery, but also exceedingly hard to find. Made in 15 carat gold, the brooch measures 41.2mm across by 35mm and has a wonderful border reminiscent of a trunk with grape leaves inside as well as the “grapes” consisting entirely of natural pearls. With such a stunning effect now created, this comes together harmoniously to create such a fabulous brooch that is exciting to admire from near or far. This is truly an exciting piece of Australia’s history that can be worn with such pride. Stock# ES9617 Maker: Alfred Lorking (Attributed) Circa: 1855 $8,250
$8,250.00 Add to cart
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Antique sword and seed pearl brooch made by Willis in 15 carat gold
Here is a wonderfully large antique sword brooch made by one of Australia's earliest and most prolific jewellers, Willis in the early 1900's. Made in 15 carat yellow gold, the sword design is set with a pearl set lyre in the centre that is also set with charming seed pearls which is then all highlighted by the chain suspended below. Measuring an extra long than normal brooch length of 74.4mm by 19.6mm, or 23.3mm to the bottom of the chain suspended below, this brooch looks truly amazing on and will no doubt always be admired every time that it is worn. Not only is it made by a famous Australian jeweller, but it is just as beautiful and elegant today as when it was made. Stock# ES9626 Maker: Willis Circa: 1910 $1,850
$1,850.00 Add to cart
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Antique boulder opal necklace made in the early 1900’s
Here is an exceptional antique boulder opal necklace that looks as beautiful today as when it was made. Boulder opals were first discovered in 1869 and have the very distinct and beautiful appearance of having their solid ironstone host material either set behind the opal or amazingly running through the opal as can be seen here in these one set into the necklace. Made in the early 1900's in 9 carat gold, the necklace is set with five boulder opals that lead down to the centre where there is a further boulder opal suspended from the bottom. The spectral colours are so beautiful to admire and showcase why boulder opals are so highly prized and desired, and day or night there is no doubt that it will always be admired. And it is not just the opals that are amazing as the setting itself is so beautiful to see. The elegant setting is so beautiful and adds so much charm and character to the necklace. Laid out from end to end, the necklace measures 43cm in length and from one end opal across to the other side, this distance measures 14.9cm with the drop itself measuring 4.5cm in length. Sitting perfectly on the neckline, this antique boulder opal necklace is one that is destined to always get the attention that it rightly deserves. Stock# ES9630 Circa: 1910 $6,200
$6,200.00 Add to cart
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Antique turquoise and seed pearl bangle designed with a sparrow
Here is a very beautiful antique bangle that was not only made by an early Australian maker, but has a gorgeous swallow set into its design. Made by the jewellers Aronson and Co in the early 1900's in 15 carat gold, on the front is a delightful swallow set with seed pearls. This adds so much character to the bangle and makes it so much more unique and special and with further seed pearls set into the bangle which are then highlighted by turquoise, there is little doubt that this bangle will always be appreciated for both its beauty and elegance. Measuring 12.3mm wide at the centre, the bangle tapers down to 5.7mm wide at the back and being hinged allows it to sit nice and close to the wrist. With a safety chain for extra security, this bangle is perfect for any occasion. Stock# ES9608 Maker: Aronson & Co Circa: 1910 $4,250
$4,250.00 Add to cart
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Antique aquamarine and seed pearl necklace made in the early 1900’s
This antique necklace was made in the early 1900's and is set with the most delicate soft blue colour aquamarines that look so beautiful set amongst the seed pearls in the wonderful design that will always be admired. Made in 9 carat gold, the necklace is typical of the work by the early Australian jewellers of this era. The way the two pear cut aquamarines at the bottom go to one side gives this necklace such a fluid and naturalistic look to it, even though the two stems coming down are fixed. Each set with charming seed pearls in a petal design with a further aquamarine at the top of each, set amongst the scroll design at the top are more aquamarines and seed pearls. And then with a final aquamarine at each end leading to the chain, this section from each end aquamarine across to the other measures 6.1cm across by 6.8cm from the top scroll to the lowest aquamarine. Fitted on a 45.5cm chain, this allows the aquamarine and pearl section to sit perfectly on the neckline where it will always stand out and look so beautiful. Stock# ES9527 Circa: 1910 $3,350
$3,350.00 Add to cart
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Antique peridot and pearl brooch/pendant by Duggin, Shappere & Co
Here is a versatile piece of jewellery that can be worn as either a brooch or a pendant and was made by one of Australia's most famous jewellers of the late 19th to early 20th century, Duggin, Shappere & Co. Made in 15 carat gold in the Edwardian era in the early 1900's, this wonderful piece is set with two peridots which was Prince Edward VII lucky stone making it popular during his reign. The combination of peridots and pearls works so well together and combined with the design of the piece gives it such an elegant and regal look to it. Measuring 31.1mm across, when it is worn as a pendant it measures 50.7mm or when the detachable bail at the top is removed and then worn as a brooch, it measures 31.1mm. And removing the bail is simply a matter of sliding the piece out of the attached hole on the back of the main piece so when it is worn as a brooch this piece does not hinder the look or the way it sits on the outfit. This is such a simple yet ingenuous system that it often seen on antique brooch/pendants and one that is so logical to allow it become two separate pieces of jewellery With such an elegant look to it, this will make any woman feel like royalty when she wears it no matter which way she chooses. Stock# U176 Maker: Duggin, Shappere & Co Circa: 1900 $1,950
$1,950.00 Add to cart
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Rare early Australian antique cameo brooch of Athena
In Greek mythology, Athena was the daughter of Zeus and was the Goddess of Wisdom, and here is a truly exceptional early Australian cameo brooch depicting Athena. Dating from the 1860's, there are two wonderful features of this brooch. Firstly there is the exceptional quality of the hand carving of Athena, and the closer you get, the more detail you will see which is a true testament to the quality of the carver of this cameo, especially as it was done well over a century ago. More than likely this was hand carved in Italy, the home of all the master carvers of shell cameo and with so much intricate detail, that gets even more impressive the closer you get to it . The cameo itself measures 50.7mm by 42.5mm and will captivate all who see it from near or far. And secondly there is the fabulous mount that it is set into. Made in 15 carat gold, not only is the work typical of early Australian jewellery that is so sought after with the grape designs on each side along with the leaf pattern, but at the top is an emu which stands so proudly. This mount is truly one of the finest early Australian ones that you will ever find and a wonderful and exciting piece. Measuring 73mm by 60mm this is not only so incredibly rare to find, but just as incredibly beautiful and a real treasure not to just admire, but to wear as well. Stock# ES9357 Circa: 1865 $7,250
$7,250.00 Add to cart
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Antique pearl drop necklace made by Duggin, Shappere and Co
This antique necklace is so elegant and sits perfectly on the neckline where it will always be admired and appreciated for its beauty and elegance and is all the more special as it was made by one of Australia's most highly regarded early jewellers Duggin, Shappere and Co. Made in 15 carat gold in the early 1900's, the cluster of pearls at the bottom is so elegant and refined and even the "stem" leading to the top has been beautifully set with pearls that lead to the very top section where there is yet another grouping of pearls. The soft colour of the gold is a perfect match for the pearls, making this such a subtle yet elegant piece of jewellery to wear with pride. Measuring 41.5cm when laid out from end to end, the drop section measures 5.9cm and is perfect to wear all the time, especially for that special occasion. As beautiful and elegant today as when it was made over 100 years ago, this necklace will always be loved and admired. Stock #ES9352 Maker: Duggin, Shappere and Co Circa: 1910 $3,650
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