Archive for Antique Brooches

Jan
27

What is my brooch made of?

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I am going to spend the next few posts examining the different materials vintage brooches were made from . Hopefully this will help you to identify the ones you have – please do mail me if there is anything interesting you would like covered or you think I am going to miss ( Always quite possible)

Here is a quick list but I am sure to think of a few more as I go along

Precious metals ( Gold, silver, platinum)

None precious metals ( copper, brass, silver plate, mixed metals, pewter, Iron, Steel and stainless steel, pot metal, pinchbeck)

Gemstones ( precious, semi-precious, hardstones and imitation)

Wood, Jet, Plastics of all types, glass, Bone & Ivory, Hair,

Pottery and porcelain, Rubber, Gutta Percha, Horn

enamel, butterfly wings, shell, paper ( including paintings), leather, insects ( scarabs)

Coral, pearls

and anything else I can find an example of ……………..
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Jan
25

Georgian Locket pin brooch

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Have you ever seen genuine Georgian Jewellery? This is the earliest Jewellery which can be readily be bought today which is still in wearable condition.
The Georgians (1714 – 1837) loved their finery including all their Jewellery. Much of it is very very expensive today however original Georgian locket pin brooches remain quite affordable as they are quite small and often plain and made in relatively large numbers.

These small brooches are have a central glass covered compartment on the front which was normally used to keep a memento in – this was often a lock of a loved ones hair. Some were memorials to a departed relative and often have the name and dates of the remembered on the reverse. Others uses these brooches to keep a snippet of a sweethearts or beloved pets hair in.
AntiquesAvenue offers a selection of antique brooches including Georgian locket pins.

Oct
26

Victorian Brooches – collectable and wearable antiques

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Brooches are very special pieces of vintage jewellery as they are worn on clothing rather than attached directly to the person. This means that the shapes and sizes can often be more varied and elaborate than rings ( for example ) which have to be more exact in size and proportion and can be less extreme in their design.

The Victorians loved their brooches and today many have survived and can be loved, collected and worn today. There are many types of Victorian Brooches including: Mourning brooches, Scottish or Celtic brooches, name brooches, cameo brooches and diamond brooches. Silver and gold were popular precious metals but other materials such as Jet and coral can also be found. AntiquesAvenue offers you a great selection of original antique Victorian brooches so please do take a look around.

Here is a gallery of just a few original antique Victorian brooches:

Victorian brooch selection

Victorian brooch selection

Victorian sweetheart brooch

Victorian sweetheart broochVictorian silver brooch

Victorian coral cameo brooch

Victorian coral cameo broochVictorian Gothic brooch

Seach AntiquesAvenue for Victorian Brooches here


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