Antique Vintage Deco Retro 18k Gold Ruby Emerald Diamond Figural Cat Pin Brooch

Description

We have similar Figural and Retro items, which would pair nicely with this piece, up for auction this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Figural" or "Retro" under our auction items.
Listing Description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Auction Estimate:
,000 - ,000
Age Circa:
Retro C. 1940 - 1950
Markings:
"18k" on the back of the brooch, tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin:
Unknown
Brand:
Unknown
Gram Weight:
22 grams
Metal Type:
18k yellow gold brooch, 18k white gold diamond and emerald settings
Item Weight Value:
,000.00 (value all-inclusive weight)
Material:
--
Main Stone:
Natural Ruby
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
Carat weight:
0.18 carats total
Diameter:
3.07 mm
Depth:
1.73 mm
Color:
semi-translucent deep pink hue
Accent Stone:
Sapphire, emerald, round cut diamond
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
Sapphire:
0.06 carats, 2.65 mm diameter, 1.27 mm depth, semi-translucent deep blue hue
Emerald
: 0.10 carats, 3.9 mm length, 1.78 mm & 1.9 mm width, 1 mm depth, semi-translucent bright green hue
Round cut diamond:
0.12 carats, 1.3 mm diameter, sparkling, colorless hue
Antique diamond measurements do not correspond to modern diamond carat weight estimation guides as the stones were hand-cleaved and less uniform
Stone Treatment:
The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts:
Marquise-shaped cabochon emerald, round faceted sapphire, round cabochon ruby, round cut diamond
Item Measurements:
Length:
1.91"
Width:
1.34"
Depth:
0.79"
Pin/Brooch Style:
Brooch, hat pin, lapel pin, scarf pin, tie pin
Closure Type:
Pin stem with locking "c" clasp
Convertible to Pendant:
If desired, your local jeweler can add a bale to this piece so it can be worn as a pendant.
Notable Features:
This pin brooch was made during the Retro period of the Art Deco era. Composed of 18k yellow and white gold, the brooch features sparkling ruby, emerald, sapphire, and diamond stones, as well as a unique figural cat motif. The use of such colorful, valuable stones and the eye-catching motif
in this brooch is
an excellent example of the Hollywood Regency style, which grew to popularity during the Retro period.
Eager to show off their wealth and style, Hollywood celebrities and socialites would adorn themselves with glamorous jewelry, usually featuring gorgeous stones and dramatic, bold designs. This brooch was made in the style of Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, & Tiffany designs that were influencing the Hollywood Regency style, making the viewer think of the likes of Ava Gardner and Katharine Hepburn.
The brooch features the likeness of figural cat, appearing to be in mid-jump with its front paws outstretched and its tail curving to the side. The eyes of the cat are adorned with two emeralds, their bright green hues beautifully displayed by their marquise-shaped cabochon cuts. The emeralds are also semi-translucent,
allowing light to filter through their bodies and illuminate their color. These emeralds rest securely in a fancy white gold prong bezel setting, the cool hue of the yellow gold contrasting beautifully with the bright green of the emeralds. The cat's nose is accented with a sapphire stone in a yellow gold bezel setting, the deep blue hue of the sapphire adding a flash of color to the brooch. The sapphire also contains a round faceted cut for beautiful sparkle when light reflects from these facets.
Adorning each side of the emeralds are three diamonds, for a total of six diamonds to the brooch. With round faceted cuts, the diamonds contribute to the brooch's striking sparkle. The diamonds are complemented by the cool hue of their white gold topped prong settings. Lastly, a large ruby stone adorns the cat's mouth, making the brooch impossible to miss with its deep pink hue. The ruby rests in a yellow gold bezel setting just beneath the cat's curving whiskers. The figural cat itself contains a unique textured surface which mimics the appearance of spots. This brooch would have been the perfect accessory for a socialite at a Hollywood party.
Completing the brooch is a pin stem with a locking "c" clasp, allowing it to be worn on a variety of accessories, including hats, scarves, and lapels, among many others. The generous use of 18k gold gives this piece an impressive item weight value of ,000. A classic example of Hollywood Regency jewelry from the Retro period, this brooch would make a valuable addition to any antique jewelry collection. Don't miss your chance to preserve this piece of cultural history.
Damage:
Age appropriate wear. The face of the ruby contains minor wear and scratches, which does not affect wear, and the stone remains secure.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
Retro jewelry refers to pieces created in the 1940s and 1950s. This was a period during which jewelry designers were largely influenced by the changes stemming from World War II. These designs reflect an infusion of futuristic vision with elements inspired by preceding periods, encompassing a variety of gemstones, shapes, and materials. Materials used commonly in Retro jewelry are gold, gold alloys, and silver as the wartime put a restriction on the use of platinum. Designs can be masculine, geometric and modern, or softer, more feminine and floral.
The Hollywood Regency style came into fashion during the 1930s, ushered along by the Golden Age of Hollywood. This style was heralded by bright, contrasting colors and modernization of the opulence of Baroque styles, featuring a deliberately frivolous extravagance that screamed glitz and glamour. “Big girls need big diamonds” was taken to heart, and the gorgeous Hollywood stars decked themselves appropriately, with blindingly glittering jewels to showcase their lives of luxury.
Rubies are one of the four precious gemstones and are prized for their pink to blood red colors. The most valued hue of ruby is called blood-red, or pigeon blood, for the bright, rich hue it exhibits. The color of a ruby comes from the element chromium. Rubies have adorned royal and religious jewelry for centuries and were especially esteemed in Asian countries like China and India, where they were thought to bring good fortune. Rubies are graded by color, clarity, cut, and carat. Rubies are often also evaluated based on their geographic origin.
Sapphires are one of the four precious gemstones and have been prized for their rarity and beauty for centuries. Sapphires are one of the two varieties of corundum, the other being ruby. Sapphires are usually a deep blue in color but can also occur in other “fancy” colors of white, yellow, grey, green, and orange hues. The only color a sapphire cannot be is red. The Ancient Persians believed that the sky was painted blue by the reflection of the sun on sapphire stones, and many rulers and religions have used this stone to denote status and sanctity.
The emerald is one of the four precious gemstones, along with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Emeralds are gorgeous green stones that have been valued by many cultures since ancient times, and have long been associated with royalty and religious status. There are recordings from 5500 years ago praising the Egyptian emerald mines; emeralds were purportedly the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra. The emerald was highly prized by the Aztec and Inca for ritual purposes, and the mines in Colombia were plundered by Cortez and his Spanish explorers when they came to the New World in the 16th Century. Emeralds are usually highly included, which means they are not very resistant to breakage. Emeralds are graded on color, clarity, cut, and carat weight with color being by far the most important criteria followed closely by clarity.
Diamond is derived from the Greek word, “adamas,” which means “unbreakable.” Diamonds are extremely rare, with the earliest diamonds being discovered in India around the 4th century BC and being traded along the Silk Road; the trade route between India and China. During the latter half of the 18th century, diamonds were discovered in South Africa. Diamonds are renowned for their strength and brilliance of color and ability to reflect and disperse light. This is what gives them such a brilliant sparkle. Colors range in blue, yellow, brown, green, purple, pink, orange, and red; the less color a diamond has, the higher its grade is. Diamonds range from 1 billion to 3.5 billion years old, and because of their age and qualities, have become the symbol for love across many cultures.
Domestic US
: All items ship within one business day of receiving payment. Buyers will have 3 base shipping options to choose from, depending on the needed speed of delivery. Pricing on single and multi-purchase transactions can be seen below:
Auction Items:
Base shipping + .00 per additional gold item & BIN items combine for free
BIN Items:
FREE
Base Shipping:
USPS
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: .00 fully insured, estimated 3-5 business days
USPS
Priority Mail
: .00 fully insured, estimated 2-3 business days
USPS
Priority Express
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