Antique enamel and diamond pendant/brooch

The flower set with diamonds, the vibrant green enamel and the fact that this can be worn as either a pendant or a brooch, all come together perfectly to create this magnificent piece from the Victorian era.

Hand made in the 1870’s in 12 carat gold and sterling silver, the reason that silver was used to set the diamonds into, was that it was known that the yellow colour from the gold could artificially tint the diamonds. And the other reason during this time that silver was used, was that it wouldn’t be until the early 1900’s that white gold was invented, and although platinum had already been discovered, there was not the technology to heat the platinum to a sufficient temperature to use it in jewellery, which was again in the early 1900’s.

The enamel on the front used a style called guilloché enamelling, and is a decorative technique in which a very precise and repetitive pattern is engraved into an underlying material, in this case gold, and then the enamel applied over the top. After the firing process is completed, it is polished back to a high lustre revealing the engraved pattern below the surface. The result in this pendant is just incredible and is of course highlighted by the flower in the front that is set with twelve rose cut diamonds. With a further twelve rose cut diamonds around the border, there are five more on the detachable bail at the top. This bail can be easily removed to allow it to then be worn as a brooch without the bail in the way. The diamonds come together to total 0.15 carats, and have all the charm and character of being painstakingly cut by hand well over 150 years ago.

Measuring 27.1mm across by 38.9mm to the top of the bail when attached, this piece is as beautiful as it is versatile and will always be loved and admired each time that it is worn.

Stock# ET701

Circa: 1870

$5,750 (on hold EW)