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Victorian  garnet brooch

Reference #: 2469

Status: sold

Dimensions:  1 inch

Condition: excellent, no damage or restoration

Year:  1850-70

Price:  sold

Description:  Victorian brooch encrusted with rose cut garnets, so called "bohemian garnets".  The garnets are bright, shiny and a deep rich burgundy color.  The setting is a low karat gold, often called "garnet gold".  I've photographed the brooch in daylight as well as indoor light. 
       
Garnet is the birthstone for January. 
The stone received its name from the Latin word for pomegranate, "granatum", because it reminded early scientists of pomegranate seeds.
The Persians considered garnet a royal stone.  Primitive cultures believed that garnets could be used to stop bleeding and cure inflammation. Asian and North American tribes used garnets as bullets, believing the stone would inflict fatal wounds.  During the Victorian era, Western cultures believed that garnets would enrich the blood and provide the wearer with a long, healthy life.