General Information:
- Total Carat Weight: 0.12 ctw
- Precious Metal Weight: 2.95 dwt
- Precious Metal Material: 14k yellow gold (stamped and tested) but with an 18k or higher bloomed gold matte and stippled finish
- Dimensions: This pin measures 22.54 mm north to south (length) x 16.81 mm east to west (width) x 3.46 mm back to front (depth) excluding the rear stem pin and its clutch closure. The stem pin measures 11.15 mm long
- Weight: An incredibly lovely 4.6 grams without the base metal clutch closure
- Markings: The reverse of this pin is marked with a semi-discernable partial maker's mark that is somewhat obscured by the four back-openings of the bezeled diamonds. This partial mark is believed to read "[...]AIG", and below is stamped the gold purity, also partially obscured, which reads "14K". The way in which the purity mark is written indicates non-European make; these stamps together relay that this pin was made in America, likely by a jewelry house with the name "Craig" in their title
- Era: This pin dates to the mid Victorian era, circa 1870 to 1880
- Buyer Notes: The clutch closure is base metal, while the rest of the pin is gold. This figural jewel is perfectly wearable on the tie, the lapel or collar as it is, and also makes a perfect candidate for a jewelry conversion into another wearable form such as a ring or pendant. This piece is as collectible as they come!
Specifications:
- Center Stone Type: Diamond
- Center Stone Count: Four (4)
- Center Stone Carat Weight: 0.03 ct each; 0.12 ctw altogether
- Center Stone Dimensions: About 1 mm each, measured within mount as mounting permits so as to preserve the integrity of the piece
- Center Stone Shape: Antique Single Cut (hand cut, faceted and polished by the hand of a master cutter over a century and a half ago)
- Center Stone Color: G-H
- Center Stone Clarity: VS1-VS2
The Story:
Hailing from the last decades of the Victorian era around 1870 to 1880, this exquisitely detailed tie tack is sizable for its kind, and reflects the Renaissance and Archeological Revival styles of the time. When the construction of the Suez Canal was completed in 1869, archaeological endeavors ensued in the Middle East and Africa and revived interests in Ancient civilizations' aesthetics. Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek and Roman Revival styles surged in popularity in Western Europe and America.
Likewise, a rising re-interest in the highly decorative and deeply symbolic nature of Renaissance era jewelry piqued the interests of consumers. Such themes rose to prominence especially due to the social-aristocratic Grand Tour trips which were ardently pursued by young socialites from the end of the 18th century through the end of the 19th.
This knight/warrier pin exemplifies the talismanic notion of protection perceived of both Medieval and Renaissance knighthood, and evokes the loyalty of a Roman Revival style warrior. Its design is rare and makes for an exciting example of late Victorian revival jewelry, and is a bit more unusual than the typical examples on the market. It feels at once a treasure from another era and yet altogether contemporary and whimsical. Its high relief and impeccable detail work are stylized and artistic, while its heftier weight is very desirable for such a piece. These attributes make this pin all the more valuable to collectors.
Enhancing this pin's appearance is its bloomed gold finish. Blooming is a finishing technique applied to fine jewelry with its origins purported to be in 1853, and its popularity highest between the 1870s and 1890s. In the blooming process, the gold piece is dipped within a mix of muriatic acid, potassium nitrate, salt and water, causing the alloyed components of the gold compound to delicately burn away, leaving a very fine surface layer of pure (24k purity) karat gold. The burning procedure leaves micro-pitting in the surface of the piece, giving it its identifiably soft, subtle textural appearance. The texture achieved is an exceptionally bright, golden and matte quality, as pictured.
The blooming process evidences why the stone settings seemed to have been punched after the markings were stamped onto the pin's reverse: the use of acids required that the stones and their settings be added to the piece after the blooming process was complete so as to keep the interior of the settings unbloomed and so as not to harm the gems. As such, the body of the piece was made first, hallmarked second, bloomed third and punched/gem-set last. While seemingly an unusual order of operations, one must remember that this piece was made during a very, very early iteration of production en masse when imperfection was not uncommon and prior to the final ironing out of-- what we may deem-- 'kinks'.
By placing an order, you accept and agree to uphold all of Revival Fine Jewelry's terms, conditions and policies.
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.
Shipping: All orders are carefully packed within a branded Revival Fine Jewelry gift box, secured with recycled materials when possible, and shipped within a discreet outer shipping parcel. All orders ship with tracking, insurance and signature confirmation. Shipping options are presented at checkout. Per law and inegrity, international orders are always marked as commodity imports and customers are responsible for any and all customs expenses, VAT taxes and import fees, as well as any clearance costs legally dictated by their respective destination countries. These expenses are not calculated into the pricing structure, and returns based on import costs will not be permitted.
Returns: While Revival Fine Jewelry aims to provide a smooth experience from start to finish, customers are encouraged to reach out regarding any issue or dissatisfaction, so that we may work together toward a resolution. If a return is desired, the shop must be notified of an intention to return within 3 days of confirmed delivery, and item(s) must be shipped back to the shop within 7 days of confirmed delivery. All materials (gift box, inserts, cards) must be returned with the item(s). Returns declared after the 3 day window and/or postmarked after 7 days of receipt will neither be accepted nor refunded. Customers are responsible for generating an insured return shipping label (international customers included) and relaying the tracking information to Revival Fine Jewelry. Returns that do not include full insurance and/or tracking, and are damaged or lost in transit, will not be refunded. If a return is accepted, customers will be refunded less the original cost of shipping, handling and insurance, the expense of any damages incurred, and a 10% restocking fee (of the original purchase price). All sale items, items altered or resized by the buyer post-purchase, and all storage/ boxes are considered final sale and are ineligible for a return or refund.
Sale Terms: Sale prices are only valid within the prescribed sale window, unless otherwise stated by Revival Fine Jewelry or agreed upon between Revival Fine Jewelry and a designated customer. To maintain business sustainability and general fairness, individual customers are not entitled to exclusive notification of, or owed access to, store sales antecedently. Orders processed prior to a promotion or sale, items placed on layaway prior to a sale, and payments paid through layaway prior to a sale will not be retroactively adjusted to reflect sale pricing or terms.
Specially Negotiated Deals: Items purchased at specially negotiated discounts, deals or prices through any platform between Revival Fine Jewelry and a designated customer are considered final sale, including rates arranged and agreed upon via Facebook, Instagram, email or any other method. Closing deals at special rates reflects a desire by both parties to reach an expeditious and absolute sale. The intention of specially negotiated discounts, deals or sale prices through any platform between Revival Fine Jewelry and a designated customer, is to eliminate extra expenses and/or use of time and resources to formally list or re-list items per their specific and inherent value-determining qualities, as well as avoid unseen overhead business costs, stocking obligations, and all other disclosed or undisclosed monetary and nonmonetary expenditures.
Pricing: Revival Fine Jewelry reserves the right to decrease, increase, alter and modify inventory pricing to meet market rarity, demand or value; to offset platform, transaction or seller's fees; to adapt to economic inflation and fluctuation; and to defray specific business expenses. Pricing is the sole discretion of every small business.
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.
Layaway items are promptly boxed and shipped to the designated customer once the final payment successfully processes. Taxes, import and other legal fees are not calculated into the payments, and are the sole responsibility of the customer, whether a domestic US or international buyer. Revival Fine Jewelry is not responsible for calculating, covering or adding such costs into purchase prices.
All layaway payments as well as all items purchased through layaway plans are considered final sale; neither payments nor items may be refunded, transferred, exchanged or returned. Revival Fine Jewelry does not issue store credit.
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.