Antique Victorian Diamond and Ruby Set Horseshoe Stickpin

Antique jewellery object group: tiepin/stickpin

Condition: excellent condition

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Victorian – 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 in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.

Period: ca. 1890

Source of inspiration: Good luck tokens

Theme: Horseshoe – There is no consensus among historians as to when and by who horseshoes were first invented. What seems most plausible is that shoeing was invented by numerous armourers in different places at about the same time, and then kept as a military secret for a very short time – until the practice was apparently widespread. Fact is that to date they are considered to bring good luck.

Material: 18ct red gold and silver.

Diamonds: 25 rose-cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.

Precious stones: 23 carre cut rubies (lab produced) (also called Verneuil ruby). The fact that these stones are lab produced has no influence on the value of this jewel. Natural rubies and lab produced rubies were both used in this era, rather more for their effect than for their intrinsic value.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and ruby for July.

Hallmarks: No trace.

Dimensions: horseshoe 1,77 cm (0,70 inch) x 1,78 cm (0,70 inch), total length 8,10 cm (3,19 inch)

Weight: 3,30 gram (2,12 dwt)