Antique Diamond & Blue Guilloche Enamel Gold Heart Brooch Pin

About the Item

This elegant and sizable Victorian enamel Heart with rose cut diamond flowers is currently a brooch with watch pin but would also be stunning worn as a pendant. It does show some wear, so please read the description for details. Testing as 14k gold, the heart shaped piece features rich and glossy cobalt blue Guilloche enamel, with 11 rose cut diamond set flowers and gilded accents. On the reverse, the original "c" style clasp and watch hook are present. While I keep seeing this heart in my mind as a pendant, I really like to offer pieces in original condition. And I do love the size of this brooch pin, as well as the fact that a charm, dangle, locket or small pocket watch could be suspended from the watch hook. (it's also possible to use the pin stem to connect two ends of a chain, or add a bail converter that would slide on and off the pin stem, if you didn't want a permanent conversion and preferred to be able to wear the heart multiple ways.) The small rose cut diamonds are chunky and quite rustic, with a nice twinkle against the deep blue enamel. They vary a bit in size and shape, as rose cuts of this period usually do - the smallest is a little under 1 mm and the largest approximatley 1.3 mm. They have warmth to their color which complements the gilded design nicely. I see perhaps a little wear to the stones under magnification, but it may also just be the original rustic cut of the stones. An undulating engine turned pattern can just be seen under the deep cobalt blue enamel within the old fashioned shaped heart. (I've done my best to capture the color of the enamel, but please note that your screen may display the color differently than mine does) There is some wear to the enamel mostly visible with magnification, and an area on the left that looks to have maybe been retouched - or perhaps the blue enamel was redone at some point in the past, I am not sure. The color is gorgeous and I don't find the imperfections distracting. It could use a light cleaning. A very nice size without being huge, the heart measures just under 1 inch x 7/8 of an inch, or approximately 24 x 22 mm. On my scale, the piece weighs a substantial 5.88 grams. Both the watch hook and old "c" clasp are in very good condition and work well. The pin stem remains straight, though shows some wear to the gilded surface. I believe the piece once had a higher karat bloomed finish, and some remains on the back inside edges. There is some discoloration and wear to the back, as seen in my photos. So, while no longer in pristine condition, it still presents beautifully.

Metal:

Gold,Enamel

Stone:

Diamond

Stone Cut:

Rose Cut

Weight:

5.88 g

Dimensions:

Width: 0.88 in (22.36 mm)Length: 1 in (25.4 mm)

Style:

Victorian

Place of Origin:

United States

Period:

19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1870 to 1890

Condition:

Repaired: The enamel looks to have been retouched. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. There is some wear to the enamel and perhaps to the rose cut diamonds; some discoloration and wear to the reverse.

Seller Location:

Danvers, MA

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU3614219705942

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