Victorian 12k 5.11 CTW Lapis, Jet & Pearl Scarab Mourning Brooch Engraved "NM April 13, 1849"

General Information:

• Total Carat Weight: 5.11 ctw, inclusive of all stones present
• Precious Metal Weight: About 2.5 dwt
• Precious Metal Material:  The primary backing of this brooch (on which the hand-engraved obituary is found) tests on our shop equipment as 51.5% gold purity, placing it at 12k yellow gold, while the open c-clasp tests as 40.8% purity which is 10k yellow gold. The stem pin tests as base metal, which is typical for the era, as it is the most handled and base metal is more durable (less malleable) than gold. The face's pinched collet settings are presumed to be 10-12k yellow gold in kind.
• Dimensions:  This brooch measures a perfectly petite 21.37 east to west (length) x 18.86 north to south (width) x 11.85 back to front (depth).
• Weight:  A very impressive 4.10 grams
• Markings:  The reverse of this brooch reads as follows:

• Era: Believed to be something of an amalgamation of several eras, but dated for the late 1840s
• Buyer Notes: This petite brooch is an exciting find in its rare peculiarities. While its precise story is unknown, its beauty is very desirable and very collectible.

Specifications:

• Center Stone Type: Lapis Lazuli
• Center Stone Count: One (1)
• Center Stone Carat Weight: Calculated per the specific gravity of lapis lazuli and using the dimensions above, this stone weighs between 3.22 and 4.04 carats, concluding an average estimate of 3.63 ct.
• Center Stone Dimensions:  Professionally estimated 12.50 x 9.90 x 3.95 mm, measured within setting as far as mounting permits so as to preserve the integrity of the piece.
• Center Stone Shape:  Hand carved tablet/cabochon exhibiting an Egyptian Revival scarab motif
• Center Stone Color & Clarity: Earthy, subdued cobalt blue with very subtle twinkling gold specks; some bluish-milky swirls are present throughout 

• Side Stone Type: Cultured Pearl
• Side Stone Count: Twenty (20)
• Side Stone Carat Weight: Professionally estimated 1.06 ctw; 0.053 ct ea.
• Side Stone Dimensions:  Professionally estimated 2.55 x 2.15 x 1.30 mm, measured within setting as far as mounting permits so as to preserve the integrity of the piece.
• Side Stone Shape: Ovular (oval shaped)
• Side Stone Color & Clarity:  White to cream with good orient and luster

• Side Stone Type: French Jet (a kind of glass); there is a chance that this black stone is actually carved onyx gemstone, but has been assessed as glass as a conservative evaluation. If onyx, its value is inherently greater.
• Side Stone Count:  Twenty (20)
• Side Stone Carat Weight: Professionally estimated 0.42 ctw; 0.021 ct ea.
• Side Stone Dimensions: Professionally estimated 1.55 x 1.50 x 0.90 mm, measured within setting as far as mounting permits so as to preserve the integrity of the piece.
• Side Stone Shape: Round Faceted (most with high crowns much like those found within hand-cut Old European Cut diamonds)
• Side Stone Color & Clarity:  Polished, reflective opaque black in the manner of natural onyx gemstone; some nibbles present here and there, though none affect their glimmer and impact.

The Story:

This brooch is a wearable time capsule representing a very interesting intersection of socio-cultural trends in both mourning traditions and aristocratic practices. This brooch dates to the earliest years of the Victorian period, with an inscription dated 1849, which was 12 years into the Victorian era, specifically, landing within the Romantic Period which was the first phase of the era, between 1837 and 1860. However, without knowing an exact provenance, we cannot ascertain a more precise date range beyond what our years of collecting, dealing, learning and refining our expertise enable us to determine.

The central carved scarab lapis is very likely a souvenir from Egypt obtained while the buyer was on holiday in the country while on an extension of the Grand Tour. Among other world events, when the Suez Canal was completed in 1869, an overwhelming revived interest in both Ancient civilizations and Middle Eastern cultures swept through Europe and America, initiating the Etruscan and Archeological Revival Styles in the built environments, decorative arts, and in high fashion.

This scarab is believed to either be an ancient carving boldly collected by a traveller while on the Grand Tour, or a carved souvenir purchased directly from an artisan by an socialite on the Grand Tour during the late Georgian or early Victorian years. Either way, it certainly served as a deeply symbolic connection to their travels and learned experiences, as it was selected for use in a mourning jewel after the honoree's passing.

The rich symbolism of the scarab is manifold and spans millennia, but most simply, it represents the cyclic progression of life and rebirth. In this sense, it is resoundingly appropriate for use in such a sentimental commemoration. Pearls have long signified the fallen tears which commence in grief over the loss of a loved one, while French jet (a special kind of glass) is associated with the three primary phases of mourning, most specifically the last/Ordinary phase which was introduced approximately 21 months after the death of the loved one.

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.