Antique brooch garnet and pearl

Etruscan Revival yellow gold, applied star. This brooch is an exquisite example of Etruscan Revival jewelry! Reference the granulation treatment of the gold- created to Fortunato Pio Castellani who perfected the ancient techniques of working with gold.

The inlaid star and use of seed pearls, again, is typical of the Grand Period! Seed pearls are tiny fresh water pearls used in lieu of salt water, Akoya, natural pearls. Natural pearls were quite rare and costly, but pearls in jewelry were in demand. To accommodate this demand, and keep costs contained, seed pearls were used often.

Another note about this piece, it is also a locket, Jewelry was worn to commemorate loved ones passed. This locket could hold a lock of hair or perhaps an image of the a deceased loved one;