Recently Sold (VICBR010)

Delightful - Victorian Sterling Silver Chalcedony , Turquoise & Diamond Paste Brooch.  This beautiful brooch is crafted from sterling silver, tested.  Featuring a genuine chalcedony gemstone, genuine round cabochon turquoise gemstones, one rose cut diamond paste gemstone, Victorian styling and quality craftsmanship.  This exquisite brooch exhibits a scalloped chalcedony , adorned by tiny bezel set turquoise gems and a paste gem in the form of a flower.  The metal work and smaller gems sits in front of the beautiful chalcedony, giving the piece dimension.  The brooch is of fine quality, and this can be seen not only in the front, but also on the back with its lovely scalloped plaque and original pin.  A wonderful Victorian era brooch, fit for any special jewelry collection.

We owe the name 'chalcedony' to the Ancient Greeks. Though there is no strong evidence, it is widely accepted that the stone is named after the Greek town of Chalcedon in Asia Minor. The Latin form of the word 'chalcedonius' appears in Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia and refers to a form of Jaspid.

Turquoise was one of the first gemstones ever mined, perhaps dating back to 6000 BC, in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. ... Turquoise has been mined in Iran for over 3,000 years. It has been used for thousands of years for jewelry by the Ancient Egyptians, who buried fine pieces with mummies.

From a very early period the imitation of gems was attempted. ... Before 1940 most imitation gems were made from glass with a high lead content. Such glasses were called paste because the components of the mixture were mixed wet to ensure a thorough and even distribution.  

Paste jewellery is a special type of flint glass that emulates a number of gemstones. The origins of Paste jewellery date back to the mid-18^th century, to a jeweller named Georges Frederic Stras, who worked as a jeweller to the king when he moved from Strasbourg to Paris in 1724.

Silver's history is long. The first evidence of silver mining dates back to 3000 B.C., in Turkey and Greece, according to the RSC. Ancient people even figured out how to refine silver. ... The silver does not react to the air, but the base metals such as lead and copper oxidize and separate from the precious metal.

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901.

Measurements: Brooch 39.00 mm x 28.00 mm 

Stone Size: Chalcedony 39.00 mm x 28.00 mm   Turquoise 3.00 mm round 2.00 mm 

Weight: 9.40 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Europe 

Date: Circa 1890