Plum Bouquet - Vintage Victorian Revival Gold Plated Austrian Crystal Rhinestone Flower Brooch (VBR218)

Plum Bouquet - Vintage Victorian Revival Gold Plated Austrian Crystal Rhinestone Flower Brooch. This vintage brooch is crafted from gold plated metal. Featuring round cut and pear shaped crystals, vintage styling, and quality craftsmanship. This pretty brooch is made in the form of a flower bouquet. It has elegant long stems and flowers, which are adorned by beautiful glowing plum crystal rhinestones. The pin on the back of the brooch fits securely into the locking mechanism. The vintage brooch looks wonderful when worn, truly a lovely piece to add to your vintage jewelry collection. 

History: Joseph Strasser could be credited with the precursor to our present-day Rhinestone, but it was really when Georg Freidrich Strass in 1760 invented the first ever rhinestone (artificial gemstone) from a special type of crystal found in the Rhine River that the stones we know today were born.

In 1883, Daniel formed a jewelry company and by 1886, they had over 70 employees, and supplied jewelry for Queen Victoria. In 1891, Daniel registered a patent for the crystal cutting machine that he created and in 1895, moved from Bohemia to Wattens, Austria to begin crystal production.

The process was invented in 1805 by Italian chemist Luigi Brugnatelli who plated a very thin gold layer on top of silver. Since then, it has become commonplace in the jewelry world, with many base metals covered in gold, silver, or rhodium.

The beginnings of the brooch can be traced back to the Bronze Age, where early iterations took form in simple pins with circular rings. The unassuming ornaments were often used to secure and fasten cloaks and other garments during the winter.

Measurements: Brooch 56.50 mm - 52.00 mm 

Stone Size: Swarovski Crystal (Round) 5.20 mm - 3.50 mm  (Pear) 6.00 mm x 5.00 mm 

Weight: 10.00 grams 

Condition: Good.  Note: Some wear to gold-plating, however the age related wear does not take away from the beauty of the piece. 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1940