Sapphire + Tourmaline Insect Pendant
This one-of-a-kind necklace is composed of:
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Victorian 14k solid gold dress pin of a bug from the late 1800s with a natural blue sapphire head and pink tourmaline body. This pin was sourced and found in England.
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This necklace measures a standard 18” on a solid 14k gold chain with the pendant measuring 1.25" in width.
THE HISTORY:
Insects were an incredibly popular motif in Victorian jewelry. Butterflies and caterpillars were common, as were dragonflies and beetles. Insects like these reflected change and transformations in life - embracing it rather than fearing it.
Partly inspired by the Ancient Egyptians and in part by a renewed love of nature and the countryside in light of rapid urbanization, natural motifs such as insects were seen as genteel, nurturing and virtuous.
It was in the 1860s that Victorian women first began to wear beetles and other insect motifs on their clothes and accessories, with parasols, hats, and shawls often featuring bejeweled and gilded insects, as well as bracelets, earrings, and rings.
COMPOSITION
All of our modern heirlooms are designed with elements mostly from the late 1800s - 1920s and the highest quality solid gold and gold-filled components. To learn more about different types of gold and composition, check out our Gold Jewelry Guide.
CARE
We make, design, and restore each piece of jewelry with the hope you will love and enjoy your modern heirlooms for many years to come. Check out our Jewelry Care Guide for tips on how to care for your pieces so they last a lifetime.
Please visit our FAQ Page for other questions and details.