Edwardian 15ct Gold & Silver Trefoil Brooch set with Natural Pearls, Green Garnets & Diamonds

An unusual 15ct gold and silver brooch that was made circa 1910. It is in the form of two trefoils or three leaf clovers and they have each been set with three green garnets and a diamond with diamond set stems. They are united with five natural bouton pearls in a twist design. Although garnets have been known since ancient times, the demantoid or green variety was not discovered until 1868 in Russia’s western central Ural Mountains. Miners were immediately stunned by the highly refractive nature of the gem material. They began comparing it to diamond and referred to it as “demantoid”, from the French “demant” meaning diamond. The reason is obvious, with its high brilliance and dispersion. These bright apple green stones are comparatively rare and very expensive as they are no longer mined. In the early 1900s they were a celebrated stone and many items of jewellery such as this pretty brooch were set with these beautiful stones.

A lucky brooch for a lucky person!