A fabulous Victorian comet brooch.
 
Our comet features a wonderful opal at its tail surrounded with 4 small rose cut diamonds. Each rose-cut diamond is set within a small yellow gold border and the opal is 8 claw set in yellow gold. The head of the comet is an old-cut diamond which is "cutdown set" in silver as is typical of the Victorian era it is mounted on a 'knife edge" bar.
 
The brooch has a slightly sprung gold pin and simple clasp typical of the late Victorian era.
 
Comet brooches were popular towards the second half the Victorian era as the nineteenth century had seen a wealth of visible comets including the famous Halley’s comet in 1835 and Comet Tebbutt, also known as “The Great Comet of 1861” this comet was so spectacular that the earth passed right through its tail which arced visibly across the sky.
 
Era: Victorian, 1839 - 1901
Measurements: Length 3.5cm
Hallmarks: Unmarked, tests silver & 15ct gold