Pyrope Garnet 'Bohemian' brooch & loose crystals (ex. Kay Robertson)

Item Description

Bohemian pyrope has long been valued for its excellent clarity and purity and jewelry crafted with it was extremely popular during the late 19th century, when it was worn extensively by Victorians. This was a local European garnet, and highly valued! This brooch, an old piece filled with pyrope crystals resembling pomegranate seeds, is a fine example of Bohemian jewelry of that era. The shapes are only lightly polished and not fully cut to modern sharpness. One stone was missing, and a replacement loose crystal (not cut) put in - otherwise, they all match. A small box of loose gemmy pyrope crystals accompany this brooch. The loose crystals weigh, in total, 2.143g/10.715ct. Ex. Kay Robertson. Joe Budd photo. Illustrated in Mineralien Welt, Nov-Dec 2017, p.91. This was one of the remarkable historical objects d'art with her collection, which she preserved for so long. Given the numbering, this was probably acquired in the 1970s.