Art Nouveau Amethyst Brooch

A vibrant purple amethyst nestled in a swirl of Art Nouveau curves accented with four small pearls.  This elegant brooch was created by Whiteside & Blank in 14kt gold, circa 1900.

Whiteside & Blank was a maker of distinctive brooches, cufflinks and other jewels in the years around 1900.  The firm was one of the more storied jewelry firms of the early 1900s with one of the partners, Henry Blank, surviving the Titanic tragedy in 1912.

The brooch is well crafted and finely finished.  Note the sturdy "C" clasp and pin which secure the brooch when worn and the strong bezel which holds and protects the amethyst.  These small details are an indication of the care taken by the maker in creating this jewel.

A chatelaine hook beneath the pin allows a small watch or other pendant to be suspended below the brooch.  Or, a fine gold chain can be passed through the chatelaine hook and the brooch worn as a charming pendant.

The maker's mark of Whiteside & Blank (a crescent pierced by an arrow) is stamped on the top of the clasp.  Along the side of the clasp "14" is stamped for the purity of the gold.

Name:  Amethyst and Pearls

Cost:  $625

Measurements:  This 14kt yellow gold brooch measures 1 1/16" by just under 15/16" and weighs 5.9 grams.