Interbellum Bee Brooch with Diamonds and Ruby in Gold and Silver

A charming Interbellum bee brooch, circa 1930, its lively form picked out in yellow gold and silver with rose cut and single cut diamonds, centred by a vivid ruby. The wings are finely shaped and light in appearance, while the striped body and delicate legs give the piece real character. A small jewel with wit and presence, carrying the bee’s old associations with industry, devotion and sweetness.

Jewellery Type
brooch

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
Although the jewel bears French hallmarks, its exact origin is unknown. For an explanation, see the section on hallmarks.

Style
Interbellum - The interwar period (1918-1939) is understood, within recent Western culture, to be the period between the end of the First World War and the beginning of the Second World War. This is also called the period between the wars or interbellum.
See also: Interbellum
more info on styles

Style specifics
The Interbellum is the period between the two World Wars and one can recognize a transition from the Art Deco style to the Retro style.

Period
ca. 1930
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Mother Nature

Theme
Bee. Across many cultures, the bee has been associated with sacred power, kingship, immortality, diligence, and tireless effort. In antiquity it appeared in connection with the divine and the afterlife, while in heraldry it came to symbolize industry and devoted labour.

Material 18K
yellow gold and silver (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Diamonds
33 single brilliant cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with an estimated weight of ± 0.50ct colour and clarity I/K, vs/i
50 rose cut diamonds . We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
- When we provide weights, colour grades, and clarity of diamonds, these are approximate unless otherwise stated, as we do not remove diamonds from their settings to preserve the integrity of the piece.

- All diamonds, regardless of their size or shape, in our vintage and antique jewellery are verified as 100% natural by the IJGC laboratory.

Precious stones
One ruby with an estimated weight of ± 0.32ct

All color stone weights are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
It is a very common practice to treat gemstones to intensify their clarity or colour. The item in question has not been tested in this regard.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and ruby for July.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
The jewel bears the French swan mark for silver and the owl mark for 18 carat gold. These marks do not prove that the jewel was made in France. Rather, they indicate that precious metal parts of foreign or uncertain origin were submitted to the French assay authorities for control. In other words, the marks point to French control, not necessarily to French manufacture.
More info on hallmarks

Dimensions
2,73 cm (1,07 inch) x 3,60 cm (1,42 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
8,30 gram (5,34 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
26050-0263

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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