Two new old brooches
I've been leaning more and more towards a midcentury style in recent years, and the branch-shaped one grabbed me instantly. There's no manufacturer's mark, but it's good quality and I'm pretty sure the stones really are carnelian and amethyst. I've already worn it on a green cardigan and it looked great. I usually default to my green atomic diamante brooch with my favourite green dress, and this will make a brilliant alternative.
The circle brooch was a popular shape in the midcentury period, though you normally see that sort of faceted 'fake marcasite' design in silver - because marcasites are dark grey. I'm pretty sure the dark red stone is paste. That one's also had its outing, on one of my old favourites, a purple tweed dress. Weirdly, it didn't work. I've had that dress since 2011 and it's usually a brooch's best friend because the pleated neckline pulls people's eyes to the jewellery, but it didn't sing on the purple tweed. It seemed perfect on paper: gold against mulberry purple, nice dark red stone. However, I think perhaps it was a tad too small and polite. It might be better on a jumper.
So, thanks, Nan!
Ooh, and an update: I will be driving the steam train on the 7th of March. All aboard!
The branch shaped one is unusual, and such gorgeous coloured stones! No wonder you snapped it up.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting that you have a date for your steam train adventure!!
x
We are very much looking forward to the train trip. I don't know if Pete will be allowed in the cab with me.
DeleteHow lovely of your Nan! You certainly spent your tenner wisely.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough for a jewellery fiend like me other than some inherited mourning pieces I don't often wear brooches.
I do like your choices, particularly the branch shaped one. Shame the other didn't work as you'd hoped on your favourite dress but the "too small and polite" description made me chuckle. xxx
I have a tendency to gran it up at times, and I do love a good brooch. Hence the Queen is one of my style icons! My hair covers up earrings, and I do too much with my hands to have much patience with rings and bracelets.
DeleteAhh, that's so lovely! I do like that branch brooch - I'm always drawn to check out the brooches in charity shops, they are often gorgeous and very cheap. xxx
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had many in ours lately - perhaps they were saving them all for one day.
DeleteI also like the branch brooch.....I always keep my eye out for brooches as I do not wear earrings,necklaces and seldom wear rings. Not mush to be had recently
ReplyDeleteHoorah for a fellow brooch wearer! I haven't seen many. I hope it's not people turning them into naff 'brooch bouquets' that's making them scarcer.
DeleteHow nice that you could spend the money on something so pretty, and still have a bit left. I like circle pins, but other than holding a collar together, I'm not sure how to wear them. It was a bit of a fad in the 70's to wear a blouse with the circle pin over the top button, then a pullover that came *just* to the points of the collar so the pin would be visible. It was all too much for me as I look frumpy before my clothes have a chance to wrinkle, but for the people that could pull it off, it looked sharp.
ReplyDeleteThe twig is pretty as well. Good colours on the stones (amethyst is such a lovely gem).
Interesting! I don't think the circle pin fad made it over here - certainly I've never heard it mentioned.
DeleteAs you know I do like a good brooch too. I've had the same thing where I have thought a brooch would be perfect with an outfit but when combined it just looks plain wrong.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the train. x
You have some fantastic brooches. You rock at charity shopping!
DeleteSuch pretty pieces! I love the branch one especially. Our charity shops don't turn up good brooches and when they do they're expensive. It's actually cheaper to go to the antique shops in town.
ReplyDeleteIf you touch the stones to your tongue and they're cold, then they're gemstones, warm then fake xxx
Ah, interesting! They're definitely real, then - they're surprisingly cold.
DeleteI love that she still does that : )
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have something like that from her.
Yes, I think it's because I'm the only person in the family who still writes proper thank-you letters and she likes that.
DeleteGrans are great aren't they! I can never resist a good brooch, I wear one every day. I really like the branch one, I don't have one of those in my collection.
ReplyDeleteI think the branch-style ones are very midcentury, more late 50s to 70s than most vintage lovers I know are into. Nice to have something in a different shape.
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