Victorian era 18K gold Perpignan garnet crescent moon brooch

For sale a beautiful Victorian era 18K gold crescent moon brooch, showcasing 11 dazzling French Perpignan garnets, each in rose-cut style and set with foil backs to enhance their fiery brilliance. The garnets, graduated in size with the largest measuring 7.5mm at the center and the smallest at 4mm, radiate a rare pinkish-red hue that is unmatched by modern garnets. This remarkable hue is a hallmark of French Perpignan garnets, mined exclusively in the Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. The mine has long since closed, making these gems highly rare and collectible treasures.

Crescent moon motifs were a popular design in 19th-century jewelry, symbolizing change, femininity, and the divine. Rooted in ancient lore, the crescent moon often represented the goddess Diana, associated with strength and purity. During the Victorian era, crescent moon jewelry became a romantic token, often gifted as a symbol of enduring love or as a tribute to the celestial beauty of the night sky. This brooch captures that sentiment, making it not just a piece of jewelry but a wearable work of art steeped in history and meaning.

This timeless brooch is an ideal accessory for the festive season. The rich, warm tones of the garnets, set against the luxurious 18K gold crescent, evoke the magic of Christmas. Whether worn on a velvet lapel or as a statement on your holiday ensemble, this piece is sure to captivate and charm.

The brooch is stamped with the French horse head hallmark for 18K gold on the pin.

Measurements and condition

In overall good antique condition with traces of use and oxidation on the metal.

Small dents on the back. Slight scratches and abrasions on the borders of the stones.

French horse head hallmarks for 18K gold on the back.

Length (including the pin): 34mm

Width: 30mm

Weight: 3.6g