A decorative piece of Victorian jewelry we have here. A sort of stylized lyre made in 18K red gold and set with one big old mine cut diamond as the important center stone and some 6 smaller old mine cut diamonds, 18 rose cut diamonds and 23 real orient half seed pearls in the rest of the piece. Antique jewelry object group: combined brooch-pendant Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin. Style: Victorian (more info on styles) Style specifics: Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era. (freely rendered from: Wikipedia) Period: ca. 1870 (events and facts in 1870) Material: 18k red gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique (more info on precious metals) Technique: Gold-backed silver or the silver on gold technique. This technique finds its origin centuries ago, when jewelers believed that only a silver mounting could render the true beauty of a diamond. Backing the silver jewel with a (thin) layer of gold was a practical precaution taken to avoid the silver jewelry leaving black stains on clothing or skin. Over the years, with the recognition (and thus use) of platinum as precious metal and the development of white gold the practical necessity to use bi-colored material became obsolete. The argument to use bi-colored metals became more an estetic then a practical one. Diamonds: One old mine brilliant cut diamond with an estimated weight of approx. 0.90 crt. six old mine brilliant cut diamonds with a total estimated weight of approx. 0.30 crt. and 18 rose cut diamonds . We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts. Note: All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting. Total diamond weight: approx. 1.20 crt. (without the rose cut diamonds) Precious stones: 23 seed pearls (more info on precious stones) Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and pearl for June. (more info on birthstones) Hallmarks: No trace. (more info on hallmarks) Condition: excellent condition (more info on our condition scale) Dimensions: height 7.35 cm (2.89 inch) Weight: 18.10 gram (11.64 dwt) Reference N: 10121-4294 Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry