We have other jadeite pieces up for sale this week, which would pair nicely with this brooch. To view in separate listings, please click the picture links below.
Due to an increase in unpaid items and cancellations, we are now enforcing ’s “Unpaid Item” policy. Their policy states, “If you\'ve placed a winning offer or clicked the Buy It Now button in a listing, you\'ve committed to purchasing that item. If you don\'t pay for it, even if you\'ve changed your mind, you violate the unpaid item policy.” If you choose to not pay for, or cancel, an item, we will open an unpaid item case against you and work with to have your buying privileges revoked. We are a small business and it is unfair for us to suffer losses each week due to customers changing their minds or not reading the full description of an item. Before offerding, please make sure you have read through the listing, considered any shipping or import/duty charges, and are willing to pay your high offer. Thank you for your understanding!
The Piece
sale Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Age Circa: Retro C. 1940 - 1950
Markings:14K, SS
Country of Origin: China
Brand: Unknown
Gram Weight:12.1 Grams
Metal Type: 14k Yellow Gold
Metal Melt Value: $305.00 (Value All-Inclusive Weight)
Material: --
Main Stone:Jadeite
Main Stone Measurements/Color:5.21 carats, Semi-translucent apple green hue
Accent Stone:Sapphire
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:0.70 carat, Semi-translucent deep midnight blue hue
Stone Treatment: The stones appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists and cannot be sure.
Stone Cuts: Cabochon Cut, Round Faceted
Item Measurements: The brooch measures2.42\" in length, 2.17\" in width, and 0.45\" in depth, including the locking \"c\" clasp.
Pin/Brooch Style:Brooch, Scarf Pin, Lapel Pin, Hat Pin
Closure Type: Locking \"c\" clasp
Convertible to Pendant: If desired, your local jeweler can add a bale to this piece so it can be worn as a pendant.
Notable Features:This brooch was handmade and signed by its maker during the Retro period of the Art Deco era and is a beautiful example of Chinese export jewelry. It was most likely custom ordered from British controlled China and shipped to Europe or America. Exotic jewelry from the far east was all the rage during this era. The brooch is made out of solid 14k yellow gold and is very heavy in gold value. The brooch features a beautiful floral motif carved from a single rectangular piece of jadeite. The carving process created many areas of negative space in the jadeite stone, which creates interest and gives the stone a unique character. Encircling the jadeite is a 14k yellow gold flower with a granulated bead center, leaves, and stem with a subtle textured finish. The textured finish creates a very life-like quality and subtle sheen to the brooch. The second plant on the piece was created using seven 2.8 mm midnight blue sapphires with a deep blue-black hue mimicking small, individual flowers. This sapphires resemble a flower similar to foxglove or delphinium. The piece is completed with a locking \"c\" clasp which works well and holds the brooch securely.Please don\'t miss your chance to own this special and unique piece of history.Damage: Age appropriate wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Art Deco era is famous for being the \"Gatsby\" or \"Roaring Twenties\" era. A lot of gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry came out of this period. Jewelry from this period was most often crafted between 1920 and 1940. Art Deco jewelry sometimes featured white gold or platinum, geometric designs, European cut diamonds, filigree, and calibre cut stones that are specifically cut to fit the design of the piece. During the Art Deco period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would often take weeks to months to completely craft by hand.
Retro jewelry refers to pieces created in the 1940s and 1950s. This was a period during which jewelry designers were largely influenced by the changes stemming from World War II. These designs reflect an infusion of futuristic vision with elements inspired by preceding periods, encompassing a variety of gemstones, shapes, and materials. Materials used commonly in Retro jewelry are gold, gold alloys, and silver as the wartime put a restriction on the used of platinum. Designs can be masculine, geometric and modern, or softer, more feminine and floral.
Chinese export jewelry became popular during the late Victorian period and persisted until the 1960s. During this period, Chinese craftsmen were considered by far the best in the world. The rich and wealthy would custom-order a piece through their local jeweler, who would send the design off to China to be made and sent back to Europe. This lengthy process was very expensive, making Chinese export pieces highly desirable, then and now.
Chinese stone cutters were considered some of the finest artisans in the world. They would spend years learning to hand-carve many different types of stones, and excelled in creating finely detailed pieces other artisans couldn’t even hope to compare to. Their skill was so refined that they could even carve delicate stones like coral and jade. Chinese stone cutters were so talented that Victorian era European socialites would commission pieces from them, preferring the hefty price tag that came with such high quality work to the ready availability of Western stonework.
It was in China—where the gem-carving tradition was already thousands of years old—that jadeite reached its peak as an important artistic medium. The first jadeite reached China in the late 1700s, and late eighteenth and early nineteenth century carvers created masterpieces that are still unsurpassed in concept, design, and technical execution.
Sapphires are one of the four precious gemstones and have been prized for their rarity and beauty for centuries. Sapphires are one of the two varieties of corundum, the other being ruby. Sapphires are usually a deep blue in color, but can also occur in other “fancy” colors of white, yellow, grey, green, and orange hues. The only color a sapphire cannot be is red. The Ancient Persians believed that the sky was painted blue by the reflection of the sun on sapphire stones, and many rulers and religions have used this stone to denote status and sanctity.All packages are sent via USPS First Class Insured Mail unless another shipping option is chosen by the buyer. Buy It Now items ship for free (domestically). Shipping on sale items is priced as follows:

• Gold: $8.00 + $1.00 per additional gold item & silver items combine for free
• Silver: $4.00 + $1.00 per additional gold item & silver items combine for free

PayPal only. After 4 days of non-payment, an automated unpaid item case will be opened by our system. If you need extra time for payment, please contact us prior to offerding.
If you find yourself not wanting to risk losing this piece during an sale, we will entertain Buy It Now offers. However, we will not accept any offers in the 24 hours prior to an sale ending. Please message us with your best offer, and if accepted, we will add a Buy It Now option to this piece for you.
*****COLORADO RESIDENTS ARE SUBJECT TO SALES TAX. PLEASE WAIT FOR AN UPDATED INVOICE BEFORE PAYING FOR YOUR ITEMS. If you pay the invoice that doesn’t have sales tax added, we will have to cancel your transaction and you will have to resubmit payment on the correct invoice. Thank you for your cooperation.