Antique Vintage Art Nouveau 12k Gold Filled GF Salmon Coral Onyx Pin buy Brooch 6.9g

We have similar Coral and Art Nouveau items, which would pair nicely with this piece, up for auction this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Coral" or "Nouveau" under our auction items.

Listing description by: Dayna O.

The Piece

Markings: "FAI2066963" on the back of the brooch, tested, and guaranteed

Main stone: Salon coral

Main stone measurements/color:
Length: 3.16 mm
Width: 8.46 mm
Color: opaque orange hues with lighter inclusions

Accent stone: Black onyx

Accent stone measurements/color:
Length: 1.91 mm
Width: 3.45 mm
Color: opaque black hues

Stone treatment: The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.

Stone cuts: Craved and polished stones

Item measurements:
Diameter: 0.97"

Notable features:
-handmade during the Art Nouveau era
-composed of 12k gold filled GF
-the brooch is crafted into a circle motif with swirl designs for a eye-catching style
-a salmon coral stone adorns the center with onyx stone around the outside of the brooch
-complete with a pin stem with a locking "c" clasp for secure wear on different accessories

Damage: Age appropriate wear. The brooch has some tannish, the price has been reduced to reflect this.

*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*


The History

The Art Nouveau era, 1890-1910, was also called "La Belle Epoque" in French, which translates to "A Beautiful Time.? This was very true due to the gorgeous designs that came out of this period. This era focused on women and the beauty of nature and the pieces were often large. Enamel was a common material used in Art Nouveau jewelry as the period was more about the importance of the design over the materials used to create it. The Art Nouveau period happened before the start of the first World War, when mass manufacturing took over the production of many products, including some jewelry.

Salmon coral is harvested almost exclusively in the Mediterranean off the coasts of Italy, France, Spain, Algeria, and Tunisia. Salmon coral has widely been valued as the rarest and most beautiful of all coral types. During the Victorian era only the richest of the rich could afford to have this form of coral harvested and imported into Europe and North America.

Onyx is a chalcedony quartz gemstone that is found all over the world. It usually has a fine texture and black color; however, some onyx also displays colored bands or ribbons against a black or brown background. Red onyx buy is quite rare and desirable and is also known as sardonyx. Onyx that has a deep green shade is known as Brazilian green onyx and is very rare. It became a popular stone for sculpture and jewelry in the 1920s and 1930s. The name comes from the Greek word onyx which means nail of a finger or claw. The word onyx comes from the Greek word "ὄνυξ" which can be translated as "nail of a finger or claw." In Greco-Roman myth, the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, lay sleeping when Eros cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as onyx.