General Information:
- Total Carat Weight: 6.79 ctw
- Precious Metal Weight: 0.295 ozt
- Precious Metal Material: Sterling silver
- Dimensions: 77.5 mm north to south (long) x 28.9 mm east to west (wide) x 7.0 mm deep; 39.6 mm pin length
- Weight: 9.17 grams
- Markings: Unmarked but procured as sterling silver
- Era: Victorian c. 1880s
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Buyer Notes: This brooch was made entirely by hand, and evidence of this antique character is found in its imperfections and subtle asymmetries. The stones all bear wear and surface abrasions commensurate with its approximate 140 year age and use, with some stones showing more wear due to lower Mohs hardnesses. Flea-bit nibbles are found here and there, and there is one chip on the pavilion (underside) of the blue spinel. The glass eyes seem to have harder wear and more pronounced surface scuffing, which is best seen under extreme magnification and is less noticeable to the naked eye due to the cabochons’ particularly small size. The gemstones mounted have each been tested with a Presidium tester, are considered to be semi-precious, and are most notable for their age and hand-faceting. Their carat weights have been calculated by formula according to the specific gravities of each kind of gem. Each stone is set within claw prongs with the exception of the glass eyes, which are set within modified bezels. The pin stem closure is an open (not locking) c-clasp, though it secures fairly tightly for this kind of mechanism.
Specifications:
1. Head (Cephalothorax)
- Stone Type: Smoky Quartz
- Stone Count: One (1)
- Stone Carat Weight: 3.47 ct
- Stone Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.8 x 6.8 mm
- Stone Shape: Modified rectangular faceted cut
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Stone Color & Clarity: Translucent deep smoky brown
2. Preabdomen (Mesosoma)
- Stone Type: Beryl
- Stone Count: One (1)
- Stone Carat Weight: 1.02 ct
- Stone Dimensions: 4 x 7 x 7 mm
- Stone Shape: Modified round faceted cut
- Stone Color & Clarity: Clear with a warm undertone
3. Postabdomen (Metasoma)
- Stone Type: Glass (located on tail)
- Stone Count: One (1)
- Stone Carat Weight: 0.69 ct
- Stone Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.0 x 3.0 mm
- Stone Shape: Oval faceted cut
- Stone Color & Clarity: Translucent vivid purplish-red
4. Shoulder (Femur)
- Stone Type: Spinel
- Stone Count: One (1)
- Stone Carat Weight: 0.98 ct
- Stone Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 3.8 mm
- Stone Shape: Modified Old European cut
- Stone Color & Clarity: Translucent blue-green to aqua
5. Shoulder (Femur)
- Stone Type: Pyrope Garnet
- Stone Count: One (1)
- Stone Carat Weight: 0.58 ct
- Stone Dimensions: 6.0 x 6.0 x 2.8 mm
- Stone Shape: Modified round faceted cut
- Stone Color & Clarity: Translucent vivid brick red
6. "Eyes" (Prosoma)
- Stone Type: Glass
- Stone Count: Two (2)
- Stone Carat Weight: 0.052 ctw; 0.026 ct ea.
- Stone Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.8 mm
- Stone Shape: Round cabochons
- Stone Color & Clarity: Opaque deep royal blue
The Story:
Entirely crafted by hand during the last few decades of the 19th century, this brooch is in the form of a scorpion, an iconic yet relatively short-lived fad of the end of the Victorian period. Scorpion brooches grew popular as wearable talismans by gentlemen and women, and these jewels stand apart from most figural pins of the time in their rather large scale. Most Victorian scorpion brooches are mounted with a series of graduated moonstone cabochons, though this brooch is unique in its multi-gemstone character known as “Harlequin” jewelry. Harlequin jewels are named in reference to the comic characters that are their namesake, who were known by their spirited checkered costumes; the multi-gemstone gives something of a checked effect itself, recalling Harlequinian attire.
This brooch features seven individual gems: within the body is mounted a central smoky quartz, followed by beryl and glass, while the shoulders are mounted with spinel and pyrope, and the eyes made of glass cabochons. These gems show wear and abrasions to facet junctions and surfaces commensurate with affectionate use. The stones were each cut and faceted by hand, and show their handmade quality and expected imperfection and slight asymmetry upon close inspection. The meshing of earthy tones from the gemstones offsets the cool silver fabrication of the scorpion setting, and offers a colorful focal point to any outfit.
Victorians loved deep symbolism in the decorative arts and in jewelry, where every attribute conveyed a message and every element had meaning:
Scorpions have been perceived as symbolic creatures by many cultures for many thousands of years. They are believed to be signs of fierce determination and courage, as the arachnids are known for their fighting resolve. Scorpions are calculated and patient, awaiting the perfect moment to strike. Though they act in the name of self-preservation, they are also seen as symbols of rebirth and new life.
Furthermore, smoky quartz is believed to be stabilizing and calming, is seen as a regulatory factor that steadies the body and mind and offers a centered perspective on life. Beryl is thought to aid in deepening one’s faith and provide healing properties, relieving unease as well as toxic thinking and internal toxins alike. Spinel is believed to allow the wearer to lessen their ego in order to allow another to be a priority. It is seen as a source of energy boost, rejuvenating vitality and thus, represents hope.
Interestingly, pyrope is a symbol of self-love and divine affection, a gem that speaks to the self as most superior. It is used in jewelry to represent passion and profound emotional connection. In sum, this piece is packed with meaning, with every choice an intentional addition to the larger story that this brooch tells.
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General Information: All additional jewelry boxes, ring boxes, and other jewelry items pictured alongside a featured listing are considered props, are for photographic and display purposes only and are not included in the transaction unless otherwise noted. Items do not come with physical documentation, appraisals, or certifications, unless explicitly stated in the item description and/or title. While jewelry is inspected upon procurement by the shop as well as prior to shipment, Revival Fine Jewelry cannot guarantee a warranty once items leave our inventory, given the delicate and individual nature of secondhand articles and the unaccountability of buyer handling post-purchase.
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Regarding Brooches & Pins: Often significantly and curiously undervalued jewelry items, brooches, pins and stick pins are treasured pieces of history in this shop. Accordingly, their pricing is calculated analogous to other fine jewelry, including their symbolic meaning, rarity and historical prestige. Such pieces are typically converted to other forms of jewelry, and are therefore becoming increasingly rare in their original states. Aside from being perfectly wearable as sophisticated lapel ornaments, brooches and pins of all kinds are prime candidates for many kinds of fine jewelry conversions, including rings, earrings, pendants, and charms, if so desired by the consumer post-purchase. Revival Fine Jewelry does not perform conversion projects for customers.
Regarding Storage & Boxes: All specifications, including but not limited to the measurements, age, origins, and material compositions are supplied in good faith as professional estimations constructed using professional grade tools, years of learned and honed skills, educational resources and academic scholarship, and refined research methods. Regardless of our confidence in our descriptions and the photographs deemed viable extensions of these descriptions, we cannot guarantee the definitiveness, faultlessness, or exactitude beyond our knowledge and expertise. Kindly keep in mind that this and all items are sold as-is vintage, antique and estate secondhand wares, and consequently bear conditional wear in matter and operation commensurate with age and use.
More information on these, and more, topics may be found in the shop policies.
All layaway terms may be found here, and all shop policies may be found here.
Layaway is available for full priced, non-sale items priced $600.00 USD or greater, and items may not be combined to attain price-eligibility. Plans are offered as 3-month/90-day maximum terms.
In exchange for offering interest-free plans, customers agree to abide and uphold the following nonnegotiable terms and conditions:
- A 30% deposit is due upfront to reserve the item for layaway and pull it from public sale on all of our shopping platforms. Shipping expenses are added to this first payment unless otherwise requested.
- The remaining 70% balance is divided up into three subsequent monthly payments due on the same day of the following three months. If delinquent, a $20.00 USD late fee is added per day to an overdue payment until paid.
- In the event that a layaway installment is left unpaid for seven (7) days and no communication is received from the designated customer, the layaway plan will be presumed abandoned. While the item will be returned to public sale, all payments made hitherto are still considered final.
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Revival Fine Jewelry reserves the right to cancel any layaway plan at any point for any reason if fraudulent activity is suspected. In this event, the designated customer will be notified prior to the intended cancellation of their plan.
Request a layaway plan via email here. Remember to specify your desired item by providing its link, title or SKU/code.