Featured Antique victorian scottish brooch

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26568584...id=02b1d4c4496c4f1da3ac9d291f783bce&pid=10067
Please explain. In many such brooches I see that the central stone is attached somehow unprofessionally. Punctures are made and the ends of the stone frame are bent. I wonder why this was done. In addition, the frame of this stone is not silver but solid ferrous metal.

 

This type of brooch was made in cottage industries, so there is a huge range of quality and production forms. Items may also have been later repaired, so it can be hard to tell where production ended and repairs began in some cases. Why do you think it isn't silver? Seller states they have tested it

 

I have a fair few of these. Some are sterling, some lower grade silver. I've seen that setting style, too. I surmise that the outer silver and hardstone frame was made separately and the Cairngorm was added.

That's a nice one.

 

Amazingly. I have such a brooch with a central stone. Then I saw on ETSY the same but without the central stone. I checked the metal of the frame. It's not silver. I removed the stone and closed the holes. Later we will find many such brooches with an attached stone.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/591136392/antique-victorian-scottish-brooch

 

Mixing components of various metals or finenesses in one piece of jewellery was very common pre-1900. It is something every collector of antique jewellery comes across regularly.
Rural pieces can be less sophisticated, especially if made in a cottage industry. Ethnic jewellery collectors enjoy the charm of such pieces.

Seeing a cairngorm brooch with the central cairngorm taken out makes me feel a bit sad. It is contrary to Scottish tradition.

 

It's ruined the value of it by removing it and closing the holes, regardless of whether the frame is silver.

 

I agree. And it's ruined the brooch and the essence of its tradition. Those dark grey plugs are not doing it any favours either imo.

 

Quite: it's no longer historic or authentic.

 

Thank you all for the comments. I will probably put this stone in its historic place. No problem.

 

On behalf of all lovers of ethnic jewellery, I thank you.

 

SO glad to hear this,thank you Stepan. It's a GORGEOUS piece of history <3 xxx

 

Phew! Well done.

 

Those Scottish Broaches-makes me think of 'Outlander'.Now I just need to find an 18th century basket-hilted broadsword for cheap.