A beautifully understated Georgian 9ct gold brooch, dating to circa 1830, centred on a particularly fine piece of Scottish banded carnelian agate.
The softly domed oval stone has a wonderfully atmospheric appearance, glowing warm salmon-orange and honey when held to the light. Its pale, misty centre is surrounded by numerous fine bands of deeper orange-red, following the natural contours of the stone in delicate layers. The stone is naturally translucent, with subtle variations and inclusions that add to its character and depth.
It is simply and elegantly mounted in solid 9ct rose gold, with a smooth oval bezel and tiny beaded claws securing the stone. The restrained setting allows the beautiful natural character of the agate to take centre stage.
This is an early example of Scottish hardstone or “pebble” jewellery, dating from a period when Scottish agates and other native hardstones were already being fashioned into jewellery, before the much more elaborate Victorian Scottish pebble jewellery tradition became fashionable.
I particularly love the simplicity of this little brooch. Its warm rose gold and glowing natural Scottish agate give it a quietly elegant quality, while its small scale makes it exceptionally easy to wear today. It is an enchanting example that would have looked perfectly at home pinned to the softly draped, romantic gowns of the period.
DETAILS
METAL: 9ct rose gold mount, electronically tested
GEMSTONE: Scottish banded carnelian agate
DATE: Georgian, circa 1830
MEASUREMENTS: 1½" wide x 1" tall (4 x 2.5 cm)
WEIGHT: 6.3 grams
HALLMARKS: None
CONDITION: In excellent antique condition. The agate has no chips or cracks and the original pin mechanism is in perfect working order.
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At Mercy Madge we offer quality antique and vintage jewellery sourced in Great Britain. All of our pieces are professionally cleaned and polished so they are ready to wear and enjoy or give as a gift.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
* Free worldwide shipping on all purchases.
* Returns - you can return your item for a refund for any reason. Just get in touch within 3 days of receiving your order and return it within 7 days.
* All gemstones have been tested and verified using a Presidium Gemstone Tester. All measurements and carat weights given are approximations.
* Our photographs have been taken in extreme close up to show you every tiny detail. This often means that any flaws or damage which you can see on the photos will be invisible when viewed normally with the eye. This can also mean that the item can appear larger on the screen than it is in person, so please be sure to read our written description to double check all sizes and dimensions.
* Buying a gift? – your item will arrive gift wrapped in a custom Mercy Madge jewellery box. Please note, unless otherwise stated antique boxes in our photos are for display only and are not included in the purchase.
