Vintage Filigree Silver Plated Faux Moonstone and Rhinestone Brooch
Jewelry (Brooch/Pin) · Unmarked Boutique Costume Jewelry; possibly Continental European (German or Austrian) or American mass-market. Similar aesthetic to brands like Sarah Coventry or Coro, but likely an unbranded mid-century fashion piece.
Pattern: Non-specific Scroll Filigree and Navette Cabochon
Type
Jewelry (Brooch/Pin)
Maker
Unmarked Boutique Costume Jewelry; possibly Continental European (German or Austrian) or American mass-market. Similar aesthetic to brands like Sarah Coventry or Coro, but likely an unbranded mid-century fashion piece.
Material
Silver-plated base metal (likely pot metal or brass) with a central marquise-shaped faux moonstone (glass/acrylic) and clear faceted glass rhinestones.
Dimensions
Estimated 4.5 cm x 3.0 cm (1.75 in x 1.2 in). Approximate weight 8-12 grams.
Description
An elegant vintage brooch featuring a central marquise-shaped faux moonstone that captures a soft, opalescent glow. The stone is encircled by a sparkling array of clear rhinestones, all cradled within an intricate silver-toned filigree frame. The border is composed of swirling 'S' curves and delicate granules, creating a lace-like appearance that mimics high-end Victorian silverwork but executed in affordable, mid-century materials.
Key Features
Navette-shaped central cabochon; light-catching clear rhinestones; stamped openwork filigree border; antiqued silver finish designed to look like aged sterling.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated base metal (likely pot metal or brass) with a central marquise-shaped faux moonstone (glass/acrylic) and clear faceted glass rhinestones.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized silver finish with stamped filigree wirework effect. Features a central navette-shaped cabochon surrounded by a halo of chaton-cut clear rhinestones, finished with an outer border of scrolled wirework and granulation.
Hallmarks & Stamps
None visible in the image. These types of costume pieces often lack hallmarks unless they are high-end designer or sterling; it likely lacks a silver purity stamp as it is plated.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped filigree-style frame with prong-set rhinestones and a bezel-set central stone. The reverse likely features a standard safety pin clasp or a simple C-clasp.
Functional Features
Horizontal pin back with a safety revolving clasp (assumed based on period). The central stone is set in a closed-back bezel.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable to this form factor.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality stamping. Symmetry is well-maintained, though the 'filigree' is a solid-stamped piece rather than individual soldered wires, characteristic of mid-market fashion jewelry.
Authentication Indicators
Lack of '925' or 'Sterling' marks indicates it is plated. The 'solder-less' appearance of the filigree suggests machine-stamping rather than hand-wrought silver. Wear on the high points of the scrolls shows the base metal beneath.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely USA or Germany. Mass-produced casting and stamping techniques typical of the fashion jewelry industry in Providence, Rhode Island or Pforzheim, Germany.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (Retro/Vintage, c. 1950s-1970s). The use of the navette shape and oxidized filigree became highly popular again in the postwar era as 'costume' heritage jewelry.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960. The style of the rhinestones and the yellowish aging of the central cabochon adhesive are consistent with this age.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in the postwar era, where costume jewelry became a staple of the 'everywoman’s' wardrobe for church, social clubs, and work.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. Visible 'greening' or adhesive discoloration around the central stone bezel. Metal shows light tarnish/oxidation. Rhinestones appear largely intact but may have slight 'yellowing' typical of old foil-backed stones.
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD. Value is driven by decorative appeal and vintage charm rather than precious metal content.
Care & Maintenance
Do not submerge in water as it may loosen the foil-backed stones or the central adhesive. Clean with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid silver dips which will strip the intentional oxidized finish and damage the faux stone.
Similar Pieces
Sterling silver and marcasite brooches of the same era (will be heavier and marked 925); authentic Victorian silver brooches (will have hand-chased details rather than stamped patterns).
Interesting Facts
Makers like Lisner and Trifari popularized this 'moonstone' look in the 1950s using Lucite or glass. Jewelry of this era was designed to allow middle-class women to wear designs inspired by the high-end jewelry of the Victorian and Edwardian periods.