ABOUT:
One of my best stars ever! I love this one for the gorgeous hues to the old cut diamonds. A few of the old mine cuts are pale yellow in color. And some of the old mine and rose cuts have a blush pink hue, I assume from organic age to the closed back setting. A beauty to view from side to see the high crowns of the chunky stones but wow I love the coloring.
This antique charmer is so impactful! With 27 rose and old mine cut diamonds totaling at least 2.5 carats, the six pointed star looks like the North Star, a Christmas tree topper, and also the star often beautifully depicted in Christmas cards that the wise men followed! It measures 2 by 1.4 Inches so quite the footprint.
This brooch would be an amazing pendant conversion. I didn't convert it in case someone would prefer to wear it as a brooch, and if converted, I wanted to leave it to the buyer to work with their jeweler as to how, since it could have a loop added at the top to hang from a chain, or have two loops added to be worn east to west, or with the chain coming from a loop at each of the corner starbursts.
One very important thing to note is that the piece is not solid gold. It is a gilt (gold covered) metal, possibly silver as there are some silvery areas seen underlying at some of the corners, but I didn't want to scratch away at it so I am selling it as gilt metal. It reads as gold but has some spots of wear and patina. To me the impactful diamonds, substantial size and sturdiness are the stars of the show here. The pin back tests at 10k. There are no hallmarks.
Antique boxes, chains, props in photos is not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
The diamonds are in closed back settings so depth and thereby carat weight cannot be determined without removing them which I would never do but it is conservatively over 2.5 carats total weight in antique diamonds.
The largest center old mine cut diamond is 4.6x4.1mm, I would think it as at least .4 carat alone. The six old mine cuts surrounding the center are 3.5 to 3.8mm old mine cuts. Then each of the six arms has four diamonds graduating in size, a 2.5mm old mine cut towards the center and two or three rose cuts (depending on which arm) graduating smaller towards the tips of the starbursts, about 2 to 2.5mm each.
It measures 50x36mm (two inches long) and stands 4.5mm deep, not including the pin parts which protrude out the back. It weighs a very sturdy 11.2 grams.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
As mentioned some wear to the gilt finish and some spots of darker patina in the recesses of the face of the star. The piece has a gorgeous glow. Typical antique diamonds, some are eye clean, others with faint frosty inclusions. I don't see any dark carbon and I don't see any chips. Typical smaller antique rose cuts with rough edges, non uniform shapes, more frosty spots and unpolished edges. Varying hues to the antique diamonds as mentioned, some white to warm white, some pale yellow, some reading champagne or with a blush hue.
Some wear to the little bead prongs holding the stones, often seen and expected for pieces over 100 years old. So it would need gentler wear as some of the stones can shift the slightest fraction of a millimeter in the setting, none super teetery, wobbly or coming free but it is an old piece with the little bead prongs so it's important to keep in mind : ).
Note that the pin back sticks out and prevents it from lying flat against the decollette. I was able to get it to face correctly in the staging photos with a chain attached, but when wearing it would teeter on the pin back so the buyer may wish to consider having those parts removed for regular wear as a pendant.
For your consideration - the points of the star are sharp. This is not a condition issue, it is how it was made but I thought I'd mention it. It has a slight bow to it, also how it was made, but if the pin parts were to all be removed, the points of the star would rest against the decollette. It isn't really felt while resting on the skin but if pressed or rubbed against the skin, you would feel the sharp points.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).
Many of my listings include group shots – I find the comparisons between pieces help show scale, diamond hues, etc. All items in group shots are inventory, but refer to the website to see what items have sold out and to watch for new listings from the grouping to appear on the home page.
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