Timeless Victorian Tourmaline and Diamond Brooch c. 1890

Caroline's Jewelry with a Past is offering and exquisite antique Victorian tourmaline and diamond brooch and platinum topped 18kt. yellow gold c. 1890. This piece is a timeless treasure, showcasing the refined craftsmanship of eras past. The wheel shape brooch has 5-pear shaped and faceted tourmalines, each prong and tip set around a prong set, faceted old mine cut diamond. The rubellite tourmalines have a captivating deep red hue. The natural stones are well matched with deep color saturation and a lively appearance. They range in size from the largest at 11.2 mm X 7.6 mm X 5.0mm to the smallest at 9.0 mm X 7.0 mm X 5.0 mm. The total weight for the rubellite stones is 14.5 carats. These stones are elegantly framed by an simple openwork design crafted from yellow gold and platinum and embellished with diamonds. Surrounding the tourmalines are loops and rays of rose cut and old mine cut diamonds adding a brilliant sparkle to the piece and providing a stunning contrast against the rich red stones. The total carat weight of these round diamonds is 1.7 carats (approximately). The brooch measures 1-1/4" round in diameter and weighs 7.0 grams, this unmarked piece speaks to its genuine antique origins. The closure is a C-clasp style. This brooch is a remarkable example of Victorian-era jewelry, combining the allure of rubellite tourmalines with the timeless elegance of diamonds. The brooch comes in a fitted box.

Rubellite Tourmaline is a highly prized variety of tourmaline known for its rich pink to deep red hues, often resembling fine rubies. Its vibrant color is due to traces of manganese, and unlike many other red gemstones, rubellite maintains its intensity under different lighting conditions. This gemstone is cherished for its brilliance and durability. To the Victorians, the deep red of rubellite was associated with passion, love, and devotion. Queen Victoria’s love for bold gemstones increased demand for colorful jewelry and since rubellite was considered exotic and luxurious, especially in Russian and English high society, it was often used in antique jewelry of the late Victorian period.

The gold content of this piece has been tested using standard accepted testing methods, such as acid testing. The tourmaline and diamonds were tested using a standard jeweler's gemstone tester. The tourmaline and diamond sizes were calculated using a standard jeweler's caliper. The stones were not removed from the piece to do physical testing or for weight.