This demi-parure consists of a pair of earrings and a brooch, and is still housed in the antique box I found them in.
The brooch and earrings are set with an oval-cut amethyst, set in a wide open-worked border which is decorated with filigree.
The very yellow, buttery colour of this set was very popular in the 1860s and was created by a technique known as 'blooming'. This is a chemical process that effectively removed the surface alloys, creating a thin, pure gold top layer with a soft, matte finish due to microscopic pits on the surface.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Dimensions: Earrings: 36 x 12 mm. Brooch: 32 x 27 mm.
Weight: Earrings: combined 5.60 grams. Brooch: 10.00 grams.
Age: 19th Century, also known as the Victorian era, circa 1860s.
Material: Hallmarked with Dutch hallmarks for 14k gold, used between 1853 and 1905.
Condition: In great antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with their age.