This exceedingly unusual brooch pin dates to the 19th century and has been set with diamonds, natural pearls and a blue sapphire. The frame of the brooch has been hand crafted from 14 karat yellow and rose gold and is silver topped in the sections that have been set with diamonds. The 'fork' section of the brooch has been set with an array of old mine cut and rose cut diamonds varying in size with the largest stone weighing half a carat. Each of the diamonds in the pin range from H to K in colour and SI to P1 in clarity totalling 3.95 carat. Towards the bottom of the pin is a single cabochon cut blue sapphire which has been set with 14 yellow gold claws and surrounded by a halo of rose cut diamonds. There are three natural pearls set in the piece which are each slightly different in colour, between cream and apricot. To the rear of the brooch is a rose gold hinged pin which closes with a folding 'C' type clasp, both are working well and are secure. Interestingly the hinged pin unscrews from the rear of the piece indicating it was very likely able to be converted into a hairpin or even attach to something more grand like a tiara frame. The piece has numerous hallmarks to the rear, a mixture of marks from France and what is now the Czech Republic, however we are uncertain as to which of the two countries it was manufactured in. This brooch pin truly is a piece fit for a connoisseur and is in such beautiful condition for a jewel that is 150 years of age.
Marked - mixture of French & Czech marks
Measures - 7.7cm L x 3cm W
Total diamond weight - 3.95 carat
Total weight of piece - 28.19 grams
Independent appraisal values the piece at $22,000.