What is a georgian jewellery brooch made from?

These brooches utilise gold, silver, pinchbeck, and gilt metal combined with organic materials like shell, carnelian, moss agate, and human hair. Gemstones and glass paste provide colour and sparkle, often supported by foil backings to enrich their visual impact.

How do I date a georgian jewellery brooch?

Dating relies on stylistic clues such as Neoclassical motifs, closed-back stone settings, hand-cut paste, and the presence of miniature portraits or mourning hairwork. Overlaps with Regency and early Victorian aesthetics appear frequently, as jewellery production techniques evolved slowly across these decades.

How were mourning brooches used?

Mourning brooches served as personal tributes worn to remember deceased family members or public figures, keeping the memory of the individual close to the wearer. They often contained locks of braided hair, painted ciphers, or miniature portraits paired with pearls symbolising tears.

How do I care for antique paste jewellery?

Antique paste jewellery requires protection from moisture because water seeping behind the stones can ruin the delicate metal foils that create their characteristic glow. Gentle cleaning with a dry cloth is sufficient, avoiding chemical dips and ultrasonic cleaners that damage historic settings and adhesives.