Antique Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Six Point Star Brooch and Hair Pin, With Rays, Circa 1905, 3.75 Carats

An antique diamond six point star brooch and hair pin, with rays, with an old-cut diamond, in a cut down setting, in the centre, with an air gap surrounded by a  flower, grain set with old-cut and rose-cut diamonds, with old cut diamonds in rub over settings between the petals, superimposed on a six pointed star, each ray is set with two, graduating, old-cut diamonds and three rose-cut diamonds, in grain settings; with single diamond rays, in cut down settings, on knife edge stalks, between the points of the star, mounted in silver-upon-gold, with an approximate total diamond weight of 3.75 carats, with a removable pin and catch fitting and a shepherd's hook pendant fitting, with a hair pin fitting, in a Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd. fitted case, circa 1905.

In Victorian symbolism stars represented direction, wisdom and guidance for the spirit. This was inspired by sailors of previous eras who used stars in the night sky as navigation aids. Stars have been popular motifs since the 17th century, with women of the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras adding diamond starbursts to their collections. The appearance of Halley’s Comet, in 1758 and again in 1835, lead to a fashion for star and comet jewellery. This fascination with the solar system and its celestial bodies continued long after Halley’s Comet disappeared from view.