Description
Date: c. 1770, late 18th century
Materials: natural untreated chrysoberyl, ruby, silver
Weight: 19.4 grams
Width of brooch (at maximal point): 71 mm
Height of brooch (at maximal point): 31 mm
Dimension of chrysoberyls: 153 total, approx. 5.32 ctw (two 3.6 x 2.75 mm, one 3.2 x 3 mm, one 3.4 x 2.75 mm, one 3 x 2.75 mm, one 2.75 x 2.5 mm, three 2.75 x 2.75 mm, five 2.4 x 2.75 mm, seven 2.4 x 2.6 mm, two 2.4 x 2.4 mm, one 2.6 x 2.2 mm, three 2 x 2.7 mm, three 2.5 x 2.25 mm, one 2 x 2.5 mm, one 2.4 x 2 mm, one 2.6 x 1.7 mm, eleven 2 x 2.25 mm, eleven 2×2 mm, nine 1.75 x 1.75 mm, two 2.2 x 1.6 mm, three 2.4 x 1.6, eleven 2 x 1.75 mm, twenty-four 1.75 x 1.4 mm, thirteen 1.5 x 1.5 mm, two 1.6 x 1.2 mm, two 1.7 x 1.25 mm, ten 1.2 round mm)
Dimension of ruby: 2 x 1.7 mm (0.03 ct)
Condition: under 40x loupe magnification, I can spot age-related surface wear, abrasions, and some tiny nibbles along the chrysoberyl facet junctions (difficult to spot with the naked eye). Just one chrysoberyl is particularly worn around the crown. Oxidation tarnish to the silver. The brooch fitting to the back is later. Overall well preserved for the age: no missing stones, and all stones appear to be original and well-matched.