Need help with an unsigned brooch please!

[Limewashed]

I have this gorgeous unsigned brooch and Im trying to determine country of origin. I'm thinking Czech bc I have a similar one with similar construction thats signed czech, but my reference is mostly open back and this one is a combination.

Im also thinking its possibly 1930s based on construction techniques, but it appears to have very little wear so its throwing me a little. Its also set with a prong design that ive never seen before, theyre split or forked prongs.

The rhinestones are large and EXCEPTIONAL. If theres ANY light, they sparkle like diamonds, so much so that I had to get my diamond tester out to MAKE SURE that they werent...Ive never seen anything like it before. Ive included a pic of front, back and prongs. It is a double tier design attached with wire.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

that is a remarkable brooch, Limewashed! I'm bumping this up for some of our jewelry experts to have a look for you...

@Linn @cmpollack @poppysvintageclothing @Metro Retro Vintage

 

[Limewashed]

that is a remarkable brooch, Limewashed! I'm bumping this up for some of our jewelry experts to have a look for you...

@Linn @cmpollack @poppysvintageclothing @Metro Retro Vintage

Thank you so much!

 

[Linn]

I have been looking at this brooch off and on since you posted it and am sorry but I do not recognize it. I don't think it is from the 1930s - the design and color combination, and combination of shapes of stones looks more 1950s to me. I don't think it is Czech - but of course it could be. I have never seen the forked prongs or this exact construction. The clear rhinestones with the very high table, are meant to look like or are an "older" "mine" cut.

What are the measurements? And, could you show us the brooch with similar construction that you have that is marked Czech.

Hopefully, someone else will be able to add to this discussion and/or may recognize your piece.

 

[Limewashed]

I have been looking at this brooch off and on since you posted it and am sorry but I do not recognize it. I don't think it is from the 1930s - the design and color combination, and combination of shapes of stones looks more 1950s to me. I don't think it is Czech - but of course it could be. I have never seen the forked prongs or this exact construction. The clear rhinestones with the very high table, are meant to look like or are an "older" "mine" cut.

What are the measurements? And, could you show us the brooch with similar construction that you have that is marked Czech.

Hopefully, someone else will be able to add to this discussion and/or may recognize your piece.

Absolutely! It measures 2 1/4"L x 1 5/8" H. The other one looks its age but I can tell the foiling on the back of both is almost identical. Both are tiere and attached with wire and both have that bumped out design where the clasps are attached to the close backed rhinestone cup (? too early,cant remember the specific name for the 'rhinestone holder', lol)

I was originally thinking 50s too, both of them, then I read about czech factories shutting down during the wars and not really starting back up and just ended up confusing myself further lol.

I also included a picture of the actual pin. Its got a stop made out of the pin wire if thats any type of clue!

Any help anyone can provide would be amazing!

 

[GemGem]

The clarity on those stones is beautiful, not knowing much about jewellery I'd be tempted to take it to a jeweller and ask them what they think. I'm highly doubtful that they are precious Gems but likely crystal and they seem very fine. Does anyone know if a jeweller be able to help with crystal?

 

[Limewashed]

The clarity on those stones is beautiful, not knowing much about jewellery I'd be tempted to take it to a jeweller and ask them what they think. I'm highly doubtful that they are precious Gems but likely crystal and they seem very fine. Does anyone know if a jeweller be able to help with crystal?

Thats what I was thinking too bc the fire is like nothing ive ever seen in modern or even vintage rhinestones. At first I was like "Oh..youre simple and cute." until I picked it up and moved it and got a rainbow of color and crazy sparkle reflected back at me...then i was like "MMMMOKAY little brooch...you SHOWED me" lol . I wish I could post video here to show it...its truly something to see

Like I feel like the simple design is intentional to force the focus on the rhinestones so I think you are right with the crystal. Ive seen high lead content crystal that has the same light reflecting properties as these stones

Edit: for size perspective, the outside and flower center rhinestones are SS40's so around mid 8mm-9mm. I just get a very "Look...we can make them look like diamonds too...even if theyre big" kind of vibe from them like a manufacturer was trying to highlight their abilities when usually its more focused on overall design

 

[Linn]

The stones in the brooch, while very nice quality and sparkly are not fine jewels - they are rhinestones - also called "glass" or "crystal". Cup is the correct word.

I suggest doing a search for Rhinestone history and you will see that simulated/imitation gem stones go back a very long way, and you will discover how they became known as "rhinestones." I found this site but there are others:

https://rhinestonesu.com/history-of-rhinestones/


I sold this brooch a long time ago and apologize for the quality of the scan. (I used a flatbed scanner.) I want to show it to you because the construction, while not identical to yours is similar. This piece was marked Made in Austria:

I have a number of pieces in my personal collection with very large very sparkly rhinestones - This is a C. 1950s Eisenberg brooch - I just took this photo with my phone:

 

[GemGem]

The stones in the brooch, while very nice quality and sparkly are not fine jewels - they are rhinestones - also called "glass" or "crystal". Cup is the correct word.

I suggest doing a search for Rhinestone history and you will see that simulated/imitation gem stones go back a very long way, and you will discover how they became known as "rhinestones." I found this site but there are others:

https://rhinestonesu.com/history-of-rhinestones/


I sold this brooch a long time ago and apologize for the quality of the scan. (I used a flatbed scanner.) I want to show it to you because the construction, while not identical to yours is similar. This piece was marked Made in Austria:

I have a number of pieces in my personal collection with very large very sparkly rhinestones - This is a C. 1950s Eisenberg brooch - I just took this photo with my phone:

Crystals can be glorious too right. I had these gorgeous Christian Dior Mitchel Maer earrings and they shine sooo beautifully in the light, really a cut above most glass or even crystal I’ve seen in most costume jewellery. Everyone who looked at them became mesmerised! I have a diamond emerald engagement ring which is very fine but honestly those earrings gave it a run for it’s money, these are the earrings I bought (doing this from my mobile so hope it works). Not the clearest image but the only one I had access to.

I admit I do not know enough about Jewellery to understand what makes one crystal finer than another in any meaningful way. But I can certainly see a difference in quality.