Belle Époque Platinum Diamond Garland Brooch c. 1900

Caroline's Jewelry with a Past is offering a magnificent Belle Époque diamond brooch, masterfully crafted in platinum over 18k yellow gold, exemplifying the elegance and refinement of the late 19th to early 20th century. This gracefully designed brooch features a delicate floral and garland motif, encrusted with old mine-cut and European-cut diamonds, with a total weight 2.2 carats. The largest central drop diamond measures 0.20 carats. All of the diamonds are set in fine millegrain detailing. The symmetrical design showcases intricate floral elements, with 65 additional diamonds accentuating the piece, and a suspended diamond drop of approximately 0.25 carats, adding movement and radiance. The brooch weighs 6.6 grams, reflecting its refined construction while ensuring a substantial presence. The intricate platinum-topped setting enhances the diamonds’ brilliance, a hallmark of Belle Époque jewelry, where lightness and femininity were paramount. With its romantic and airy design, this brooch captures the essence of the era’s devotion to delicate yet luxurious adornments. It is 1-1/4" high X 1-1/2" wide and comes in an antique box. There is a screw mechanism to remove the brooch fixture and allow the piece to be attached to another piece of jewelry, although sadly the other pieces are no longer available.

The Belle Époque era (c. 1890–1915), meaning “Beautiful Era” in French, was a period of artistic and cultural refinement in Europe, particularly in France. Jewelry from this era was characterized by delicate, intricate designs, often incorporating platinum to create lightweight yet highly detailed pieces. Garland-style motifs, inspired by 18th-century French court jewelry, were popular, with flowing floral patterns, bows, and swags designed to reflect a sense of grace and femininity.

A hallmark of this era’s jewelry, millegrain detailing refers to the tiny bead-like edges that frame the diamonds and decorative elements, adding texture and an extra layer of refinement. This meticulous technique, achieved by carefully carving or rolling fine platinum beads along the edges, enhances the sparkle of the diamonds and gives the brooch its soft, antique elegance.

The gold content of this piece has been tested using standard accepted testing methods, such as acid testing. Platinum-topped yellow gold refers to a jewelry-making technique where a layer of platinum is applied over a base of yellow gold. This method was commonly used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the Belle Époque and Edwardian eras, to take advantage of the unique properties of both metals. The diamonds were tested using a standard jeweler's gemstone tester. They are natural diamonds. They were not removed from the piece to do physical testing or for weight.