Antique French diamond, sapphire & ruby butterfly #ERAconversion pendant brooch
There are no words to describe the beauty and charm of this glorious, antique treasure - she sets our hearts a-flutter with joy and awe!
Large and artfully designed she is simply incredible... She is fully hallmarked with a French eagle mark which dates her to around 1880 and confirms she is made of 18 carat gold. She is a tremblant piece - especially designed to slightly move and tremble as she is worn. She came to us as a brooch with a removable brooch fitting, indicating that she was originally a part of a larger set of jewellery and could be fitted on other components - like a tiara!! Just imagine wearing a tiara with glittering butterflies adorning your hair ...
As this beautiful piece was always meant to have a multiple functions we had a fine bar added to the top, in keeping with the style of the piece, so now she can be worn as a pendant as well as a brooch. You can easily remove the brooch fitting when you want this beauty as a pendant by simply unscrewing it - this means the butterfly will lie beautifully flat without the brooch fitting protruding and spoiling the look! They were so incredibly clever back then. She comes in the fitted box we purchased her in, from a Charles Packer & Co Limited, 76 Regent Street, London. This company had a jewellery store in London's prestigious Regent Street from 1880-1917. There is another mark on the pin which is incredibly difficult to read but is likely a French export mark and this would explain why the box is of an English jeweller's company as well as confirm the dating on this piece.
In the style of the 1880's, the butterflies gemstones are set in silver over gold. The brooch fittings, the underside of the settings, the settings for sapphires and rubies and other main components are made in 18 kcarat rose gold. The diamond settings are in French 800 silver. His wings are set with shimmering rose cut diamonds and the main body in beautiful old mine cut diamonds. The total estimated weight of the diamonds is 2.86 carats. Both the sapphires and rubies have been checked by an FGA qualified gemologist and are natural and untreated old mine stones. One of the rubies was most likely replaced a long time ago, but the stone is very well matched and also natural and untreated. The total estimated weight of the sapphires is 1.75 carats and 0.65 carats for the rubies. They are gorgeous gemstones... bright, with an eye catching, intense colour to them and with lovely clarity. The sapphires are cornflower blue and rubies a deep pink. The eyes of the butterfly are set with tiny cabochon cut rubies.
The butterfly measures 32 mm East to West and 51.18 mm North to South. As a pendant she weighs 10.8 grams and the brooch fitting adds an additional 3.3 grams. She is in overall wonderful antique condition.
Before I go, did you know that butterflies are a symbol of transformation? This stunning creature will remind you, in the most beautiful of ways that change is a good thing and you are special and precious, so spread those wings and fly!!
* Please kindly note that other jewellery in our photos is for your inspiration and not included in this listing *