This gorgeous 19th century brooch is set with a large orange paste stone in a richly decorated golden surround believed to be pinchbeck. Pinchbeck is a gold substitute, now collectible in its own right, originally made to a secret formula devised by Christopher Pinchbeck in the early 18th century. It is an alloy of copper and zinc, like brass, but uses much more copper and less zinc than brass. Although pinchbeck can tarnish over time it does not wear in the same way as other materials such as gold plating or rolled gold. You don’t often find pinchbeck items made after about 1840 - as nine-carat gold became legal, enabling people to buy less expensive gold jewellery, and electro-gilding was invented (a kind of gold plate), pinchbeck fell by the wayside.SIZE: Approximately 4.3 x 3.4cm.WEIGHT: 11.8g.MATERIALS: Yellow metal, orange paste stone.HALLMARKS/STAMPS: None.CONDITION: The piece is in excellent antique condition.ERA: Victorian (c.1837-1901).TO BUY: Scroll down the page to the Buy Now with PayPal button and follow the prompts. TO ENQUIRE: Please make sure you check your junk mail if you don't receive a reply within 24 hours, we'll always respond to queries!UK DELIVERY: Free! All items to UK addresses are shipped via Royal Mail Special Delivery.DELIVERY OUTSIDE THE UK: Free for purchases over £125. For purchases below £125, shipping to addresses outside the UK costs £12. All international deliveries are sent via Royal Mail's Tracked and Signed service, where available.If you'd like to email us please ensure you have checked your spam/junkmail folder if you have not received a reply within 24 hours. Many thanks! corvidaejewels@gmail.com