Antique Vintage Deco 925 authentic Sterling Silver Geometric Green Onyx Pin Brooch 14.8g

authentic We have similar Marcasite and Art Deco items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Marcasite" or "Deco" under our Buy-It-Now items.

Listing Description by: Megan E.

The Piece

Age Circa: Art Deco C. 1920 - 1940

Markings: Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed

Country of Origin: Unknown

Brand: Unknown

Gram Weight: 14.8 grams

Metal Type: .925 sterling silver

Material: --

Main Stone: Marcasite

Main Stone Measurements/Color:
Diameter: 1.7 mm
Color: sparkly and reflective grey hue
Accent Stone: Green Onyx

Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
Length: 7.2 mm
Width: 4.0 mm
Color: Semi-translucent, with glassy green hues
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: Rose cut, faceted

Item Measurements:
Length: 1.54"
Width: 1.54"
Pin/Brooch Style: Brooch, lapel pin, hat 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:
-Handmade during the Art Deco era
-Composed of .925 sterling silver crafted into a square frame with a cutout in the center
-Accented with sparkly marcasite stones along each layer of the brooch
-Two rectangular green onyx pieces adorn the top and bottom of the piece
-Completed with a pin stem with a locking "c" clasp
-Can be worn on a variety of accessories, like hats, scarves, and jacket lapels, among many others

Damage: Age appropriate wear. Tarnish on the sterling silver gives this piece an antique quality which we believe is quite lovely. One of the green jade stones is slightly chipped. The price has been reduced to reflect this.

*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*


The History

The Art Deco era is famous for being the "Gatsby" or "Roaring Twenties" era. A lot of gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry came out of this period. Jewelry from this period was most often crafted between 1920 and 1935. Art Deco jewelry sometimes featured white gold or platinum, geometric designs, European cut diamonds, filigree, and calibre cut stones that are specifically cut to fit the design of the piece. During the Art Deco period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would often take weeks to months to completely craft by hand.

Marcasite was a very popular stone during the Art Deco period. Marcasite is meticulously hand-cut from pieces of iron pyrite and perfectly faceted to reflect the light. Marcasite is pale yellow or white with a bright luster, but tarnishes to a brown color. During the wild, Gatsby-style parties, ladies' jewelry could be seen sparkling from across the room.

Onyx is a chalcedony quartz gemstone that is found all over the world. It usually has a fine texture and black color; however, some onyx also displays colored bands or ribbons against a black or brown background. Red onyx is quite rare and desirable and is also known as sardonyx. Onyx that has a deep green shade is known as Brazilian green onyx and is very rare. It became a popular stone for sculpture and jewelry in the 1920s and 1930s. The name comes from the Greek word onyx which means nail of a finger or claw. The word onyx comes from the Greek word "ὄνυξ" which can be translated as "nail of a finger or claw." In Greco-Roman myth, the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, lay sleeping when Eros cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as onyx.


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