Victorian 9KT gold and silver wasp brooch, four rose cut diamond wings spread around a peridot thorax and a long tapering amethyst body.
The wings are pierced and scrolled in silver upon gold, the forewings longer than the hindwings and edged with larger collet set diamonds along the leading edge. A faceted peridot forms the thorax and a kite shaped amethyst the abdomen, with the gold back ribbed in segments beneath it. Two ruby cabochons make the eyes, with a rose cut diamond on the head between them, and six jointed gold legs and bent antennae complete the insect.
Insect jewels in silver and gold set with diamonds and coloured stones were a favourite subject of late Victorian jewellers.
Dimensions -
Size: 6 x 4 cm
Weight: 16 grams
Specifications -
Period: Late Victorian, 1880 to 1900
Metal: 9KT gold and silver
Construction: Silver upon gold
Fittings: Long pin, tube hinge and C catch
Back: Gold, ribbed abdomen, scalloped plate behind the peridot
Diamonds -
Cut: Rose cut
Total carat weight: 1.00 ct
Setting: Silver, pierced and collet set
Peridot -
Cut: Oval faceted
Colour: Green
Number: 1
Total carat weight: 1.20 ct
Amethyst -
Cut: Kite shaped faceted
Colour: Pale lilac
Number: 1
Total carat weight: 2.00 ct
Rubies -
Cut: Cabochon
Number: 2
Condition :
Very good antique condition. Natural oxidation to the silver of the wings. All stones are present. The scalloped plate behind the peridot is a later fitting.
Stone weights and grades are careful estimates taken from the mounted piece and are not laboratory certified.
Victorian 9KT gold and silver wasp brooch, four rose cut diamond wings spread around a peridot thorax and a long tapering amethyst body.
The wings are pierced and scrolled in silver upon gold, the forewings longer than the hindwings and edged with larger collet set diamonds along the leading edge. A faceted peridot forms the thorax and a kite shaped amethyst the abdomen, with the gold back ribbed in segments beneath it. Two ruby cabochons make the eyes, with a rose cut diamond on the head between them, and six jointed gold legs and bent antennae complete the insect.
Insect jewels in silver and gold set with diamonds and coloured stones were a favourite subject of late Victorian jewellers.
Dimensions -
Size: 6 x 4 cm
Weight: 16 grams
Specifications -
Period: Late Victorian, 1880 to 1900
Metal: 9KT gold and silver
Construction: Silver upon gold
Fittings: Long pin, tube hinge and C catch
Back: Gold, ribbed abdomen, scalloped plate behind the peridot
Diamonds -
Cut: Rose cut
Total carat weight: 1.00 ct
Setting: Silver, pierced and collet set
Peridot -
Cut: Oval faceted
Colour: Green
Number: 1
Total carat weight: 1.20 ct
Amethyst -
Cut: Kite shaped faceted
Colour: Pale lilac
Number: 1
Total carat weight: 2.00 ct
Rubies -
Cut: Cabochon
Number: 2
Condition :
Very good antique condition. Natural oxidation to the silver of the wings. All stones are present. The scalloped plate behind the peridot is a later fitting.
Stone weights and grades are careful estimates taken from the mounted piece and are not laboratory certified.
