Object of the Day: A Ruby and Diamond Stickpin, circa 1830

In the 1830’s, in Europe, jewelry designers were exploring styles which were based on recent archeological finds. The result of this was a decade of beautifully detailed jewelry which relied on delicate gold-work and stones set in deep, unusual bezels and settings. More modern adaptations of these designs were slightly more rustic in feel and were given the nickname, “Gypsy.”
This stickpin with its carefully cast gold falls into the above category. Influenced by Etruscan and other ancient designs, it’s a distinctly British re-telling of an older visual story. The gold rosette has been set with a small, faceted ruby which glistens from the center of a carved star. At once, it puts us in mind of ancient gems, but with a distinctly early-Victorian twist.