STAR Antique CONVERTIBLE Pendant Hair Pin Brooch BOXED 1 1/4 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster 14k Gold Silver Victorian Gift Bridal 1.25Ct

I am selling an assortment of vintage to antique jewelry and rings which I have hunted for and gathered from around the world. Some examples seen in the last photo - thanks for stopping by!

ABOUT:
This all original antique piece comes in its also original box and is a true three for one when it comes to wearability!
The fabulous convertible diamond encrusted starburst shape has a screw back with interchangeable brooch or hair pin fittings as well as a gold arm at the back to be hung on a chain. So it can be easily switched between styles to wear in the hair, as a brooch, or as a pendant. Additionally, that gold arm on the back can also be used to hold dangling charm when worn as a hair pin, or at the time, to possibly hold a ladies pocket watch when worn as a brooch.

Wonderful antique Victorian diamond star cluster piece holding 31 old cut diamonds totaling about 1 1/4 carat. Not easy to find pieces of this age with all its parts and components and in its original box, the antique graphics inside the lid identifying the maker as John Byrne Son Ltd Diamond Merchants.

John Byrne & Son was a jewelry business that had premises at 83 Hatton Garden in London and 10 Bold Street in Liverpool, with both addresses imprinted inside the lid of the box. The company operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with John Byrne becoming the sole proprietor in 1886. They ceased trading around 1937 but a search of the Liverpool address on google maps still today brings up an image of their shop location with the company name still beautifully painted as signage on the front of the old building.

The brown leather box with royal blue velvet interior has a hidden slot / compartment underneath the velvet to hold the hair pin so that it can be readily available to swap between uses. This one was popular in the previews on instagram, with a few jewelry savvy instagram friends reaching out to mention its similarity to Empress Sisi of Austria's famous hair stars. (Not suggesting this is one of her stars but rather that her popularization of the style may have influenced the design of this piece as well).

The piece is crafted in mostly silver with some parts testing as 14k gold. The star itself is gold backed as was customary for the period, with the silver top setting the diamonds in white metal, and the hooked arm at the back in 14k gold. The hair pin is gilt silver and the screw pin back fittings are 14k gold and silver. No hallmarks remain.

I was quite impressed to see how easy it was to screw in and twist the hair pin into a sparkly up do, and it's also wonderful to wear as a pendant or brooch with additional holder. Always fun to have options! Would be a beautiful something old for a bride and is quite impactful to wear dressed up or down with the on trend star design.

Chains not included but comes as shown in original box with star, pin and hair pin fittings. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

31 diamonds in all. The largest center old mine cut diamond is about 3.9mm. Each arm of the star holds an additional 2-3 old cut diamonds measuring 1.5 to 2.5mm each. Exact depths are unknown / not measurable and I would not remove them for exact weights but estimates to about 1.25 carat total weight in diamonds.

It measures 29mm in diameter and stands 8.5mm deep, not including the pin parts which protrude out the back. The star with brooch fitting weighs 6.4 grams.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Pretty wonderful to find all parts and components well functioning. The screw backs are nice and tight to hold the hair pin or brooch fittings, and the curved gold arm at the back is sturdy to hang on a chain. Note that it is not a loop back but a hook, but still has quite a bit of length where hanging it on a chain would still hold itself. The hook back pushes up tight to the piece so note a dainty chain gauge may need to be used as I noticed some of my chains I could fit running through the hook. A spring ring or clasp could be used to attach it as well as shown in photos.

Typical antique diamonds with natural inclusions. The mix of old mine cut and old single cut diamonds pretty much all read quite frosty, some being frosty all the way through. No dark or glaring carbon but a mix of warm hues to the stones as well, being that this was made when diamonds were hand cut in much more limited supply and the Four C's scale did not exist.

Some wear to the setting from age so I always recommend gentler wear on my 125+ year old pieces, especially those with many small stones and the little bead prongs, but each of the components are quite sturdy and ready to wear.

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.

Box#qc.(%2