Essex Jewelry and Antiques
c1850s Interesting American Victorian Memorial 14k Gold Pearl Cross Pin Brooch
Regular price
$1,404.00
Presented is a wonderful American Victorian 14K gold and pearl pin done in the form of a cross. The pin is covered with natural pearls. The setting is done in rose gold with yellow gold plating on top. There is a piece of beveled glass on the reverse which originally held a woven lock of hair. The hair was coming apart, so we took it out, but the original beveled glass is still in place, so you can put whatever you like behind it. The pin has the old C style clasp on the reverse. There is also a hook on the back so you could add a loop to make this into a pendant. This piece was made around the 1850s. All of the pearls are 100% natural, cultured pearls did not exist yet.
It is not marked. We have tested it with nitric acid and guarantee it to be 14K gold.
The pin is in good condition overall. About a half dozen of the pearls are darker in color than the rest. These may be replacements, but I tend to think they are not. There are a couple of pearls that are lifting slightly(really the way that they are set), but they are not budging at all. They look to be very strongly set. There are no breaks and no repairs.
The pin measures 1 3/8 inches by 1 3/8 inches.
The weight is 18.7 grams.