Sparkling Ribbons - Vintage Signed 'Birks' Sterling Silver Marcasite Brooch (VBR239)

Sparkling Ribbons - Vintage Signed 'Birks' Sterling Silver Marcasite Brooch. This gorgeous brooch is crafted from sterling silver, hallmarked STERLING BIRKS. Featuring numerous genuine rose -cut marcasite, vintage styling, and quality craftsmanship.  This lovely brooch is designed in the form of ribbons, which are expertly hand-set with sparkling marcasite. The front of the brooch is dimensional, and showcases lovely detail. The back is polished, and features a pin and rotary type closure, in perfect working condition. This vintage beauty would make a perfect gift or addition to any jewelry collection.

History: Marcasite jewellery has been made since the time of the Incas and the Ancient Greeks. Cleopatra was reported to wear Marcasite in order to preserve her beauty. The Incas are the first known civilization to have used marcasite in jewellery, with marcasite jewellery found in many Incan burial chambers.

The story of silver mining began about 5,000 years ago. Silver was first mined around 3,000 BCE in Anatolia, now located in modern-day Turkey. The precious metal helped early civilizations in the Near East, Ancient Greece to flourish.

The term sterling silver denotes any silver alloy in which pure silver makes up at least 92.5 percent of the content. One theory is that the word sterling comes from the name Easterlings—coiners from east German states brought to England during the reign of Henry II (1154–89) to improve the quality of the coinage.

Birks Group traces its origins to the opening by Henry Birks of a small jewellery shop in Montreal in 1879. With an investment of CAD$3,000, Henry Birks opened in 1879 a small jewellery shop on Saint James Street in the heart of Montreal's financial and commercial district.

Measurements: Brooch 53.00 mm x 24.00 mm 

Stone Size: Marcasite 1.00 mm - 2.00 mm each 

Weight: 8.60 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Canada 

Date: Circa 1960