Sea & Earth - Vintage Gold Plated Mother Of Pearl Crystal Rhinestone Leaf Brooch (VBR302)

Sea & Earth - Vintage Gold Plated Mother Of Pearl Crystal Rhinestone Leaf Brooch.  This pretty brooch is crafted from gold plated over metal. The brooch features 3 genuine mother of pearl discs, one genuine carved mother of pearl leaf, two round cut crystal rhinestones, vintage styling, and quality craftsmanship. This lovely brooch  is comprised of gold plated leaves, with a white wash finish. Which is adorned my beautiful iridescent mother of pearl gems, and sky blue sparkling crystal rhinestones. The brooch has a pin on the back with a secure rotary lock mechanism, in perfect working order. This vintage brooch would make a wonderful gift or addition to any costume jewelry collection. 

History: Mother-of-pearl, the iridescent lining inside some mollusk shells, has a long history of use and appreciation across various cultures. Evidence suggests its use dates back to ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India, where it was prized for its beauty, symbolism, and practical applications. 

Rhinestones,  initially natural crystals from the Rhine River, evolved into a popular form of affordable sparkle. The term "rhinestone" originated from the natural quartz pebbles found in the Rhine River, Germany. These crystals, known for their brilliant sparkle when cut and polished, became highly sought after. As these natural stones became scarce, jewelers developed imitation rhinestones, using coated lead glass. The 18th-century Alsatian jeweller Georg Friedrich Strass is credited with developing imitation diamonds by coating the lower side of lead glass with metal powder. Today, "rhinestone" refers to varieties of lead glass known as crystal glass, often mass-produced Wirth various metal deposition techniques. 

What Is Gold-plated Jewelry? Gold-plated jewelry is a type of metal jewelry covered with a very thin layer of real gold. The process was invented in 1805 by Italian chemist Luigi Brugnatelli who plated a very thin gold layer on top of silver.

Measurements: Brooch 26.00 mm x 30.00 mm 

Stone Size: Mother Of Pearl 8.00 mm -9.00 mm  (Round)       Crystal Rhinestone 4.00 mm - 3.50 mm 

Weight: 6.00 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1960