Gutta-percha Antique Jewellery from rubber
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Gutta percha brooch
A very strange material not used in Jewellery these days is Gutta-percha. In Victorian times this dark brown / black material was popular for making mourning jewellery . You can also find complex shapes and intricate cameos. Not only is it black but also is easily carved or shaped – just like plastic today. It was first introduced in the 1840s.
How can you tell Gutta Percha from Jet and other black jewellery?
Sometimes the colour is a deep black/ brown or even slightly purple rather than a pure black . If you can see lines where the piece has been removed from a mould it will not be jet and so is more likely to be gutta-percha. It has a rubber smell when rubbed and you may just see light through a thin piece
Care of Gutta-percha.
Antique Victorian Gutta-Percha brooches can fade in sunlight and if exposed to water. Like all other Antique Jewellery, I suggest a light brush would be the best way to clean any piece and keep in a dark place when not being worn.
Value of Gutta-percha jewellery?
This is not as highly valued as Jet but is still quite collectable. A nice brooch would be £50 upwards with a highly carved large pendant being more. Look out for pendants with the links made from Gutta-percha too.
Victorian violin brooch