Mount is of gold plate, has beautiful scrolling, and top part of the brooch has three amber paste stones. Hanging below the brooch is another large citrine pendant. A very striking piece!
Citrine is one of the most valuable and popular gemstones in the quartz group. Replacing the simple name of yellow quartz, the name "citrine" was officially adopted for this stone in 1556 when German metallurgist Georg Bauer, known to some as "the father of modern mineralogy," used it in a publication about gemstones and jewelry. The word "citrine" has a few potential sources, all related to citrus fruits. The most likely root of this word is from the old French word citron, meaning "yellow," or the Latin word citrus, in reference to citrus fruit. Around the 17th century, both citrine and smoky quartz were called "cairngorm" after their source in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. Some Biblical scholars believe that citrine was the tenth of 12 stones in Aaron's breastplate described in the book of Exodus. The stone was referred to as chrysolitus (Greek for "golden stone") in both Roman Catholic and Latin versions of the Old Testament, leading to some confusion over whether it was citrine, topaz, or beryl. In 1852, after Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, they built Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Because she was so fond of her new home and Scotland in general, the queen often had parties for which she required her guests to dress in full Highlands attire. This gave Victoria a good opportunity to share another of her loves: gemstones found within her kingdom, citrine in particular.
Brooch measures 2" across by 2 1/2" long with drop. Period correct tube hinge with "c" clasp closure. Pin back extends beyond the body of the brooch, consistent with mid-19th century pieces.
Please see my other original Victorian era brooches at http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments?section_id=7179660
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