Vintage Faux-Lapis Cabochon Brooch/Pin
Decorative art, specifically costume jewelry brooch • Unsigned costume jewelry manufacturer; possibly a boutique label or mass-market producer of the era (e.g., Sarah Coventry, Avon, or Trifari stylistic influence)
Style & Movement
Mid-century Revival / Costume Jewelry; Neo-Baroque or Etruscan Revival influence in the textured metalwork
Medium & Technique
Gold-tone base metal alloy with an ornate openwork cast frame; the central element is a molded resin or glass cabochon simulating lapis lazuli through a mottled blue and white pigment technique
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th century, approximately 1960s–1980s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 3.5 cm x 2.8 cm; oval portrait orientation
Subject Description
The item features a large oval faux-lapis cabochon at the center, surrounded by a scalloped, ornate metal border with circular openwork details and a heavily textured 'granulated' finish characteristic of costume jewelry design
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; visible wear to the gold-tone plating specifically on the raised edges and 'beaded' details, exposing the darker base metal underneath
Estimated Market Value
$15 – $45 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 – $30 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via secondary market or inherited; no visible markings are present in the frontal view to suggest a specific designer collection
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the mid-20th-century trend for 'costume' or 'fashion' jewelry which allowed the middle class to wear bold, gemstone-mimicking accessories at an affordable price point
Notable Features
The 'mottled' blue patterning in the stone is a classic 20th-century imitation of natural lapis lazuli; the textured 'brutalist' or 'granulated' frame suggests a design from the late 1960s or 1970s
Condition Issues
Surface oxidation of the metal; loss of gold-tone plating (pitting); minor surface scratches on the central resin cabochon
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from perfumes and hairsprays which can degrade the resin; clean only with a soft, dry jewelry cloth; store in a dry environment to prevent further oxidation