Graceful Leaf Brooch Pink and Green Vintage Beauty
ITEM: A lovely, graceful brooch featuring open back settings for the marquis cut stones and foiled backs on the rounds along the spine. The colors are a green olivine and fuchsia or deep pink for the leaf fronds and a true pink along the spine of the leaf. That row of pink stones has purple accent stones to either side of the pinks as well. The curvaceous leaf is dimensional and tiered or layered, stones affixed at a rakish angle, giving a sense of movement and maximizing the play of light through those open back settings. Those settings are in a plated gold tone metals. There are two known variations on this design, one with a textured stem and one with a mirror finish stem. One is verified as belonging to the line of jewelry known as Juliana; that is the version with the textured stem and a mix of closed and open backed settings. The smooth stem version is currently under some debate in the costume jewelry realms. There are some databases and sites that include the smooth stem version with open back settings however more often than not, this version is landing in the not Juliana books by those “in the know” What I will say is order that this very pretty brooch is well crafted using high quality components and hand finished with style and flair. A Substantial piece that shows a level of design detail that really leaves no question as to the quality of the piece in hand. Whether by D&E or not is still in question because while Juliana was only produced between 68&69, DeLizza and Elster (aka “D&E “) produced high quality costume jewelry before and after those dates. Never signed, these were offered with paper or foil hangtags and a great deal of research and community has grown out of the need to be able to verify these wonderful pieces. Databases, books, websites and discussion groups share, compare and track verified/known examples and the better sites even keep lists of similarly built pieces that are nonetheless deemed to be “not Juliana”. Trusted sources are those who had the pleasure of knowing Mr.DeLizza and those close to him, speaking with workers, collectors and jewelry historians about this line so treasured by collectors. The thing is that even Mr. DeLizza himself had been known to mistake or forget his own designs at times and as new information comes forward, those who keep track can likewise change their minds! It is a line “signed by design” and as such, there have been many instances when the “all crows are black” argument has been upended by the reality of a black and white crow! lol A buyer beware is offered because of the quality and relative value based on finite numbers - even if made in high numbers we know eventually we'll see them shrink due to age/wear and as they get swallowed into collections (keeping in mind that although D&E produced into the 80s, this particular line was only produced from around 1968/69). The thing to be aware of if you are a beginner collector, is that the term Juliana can easily be used as click bait - word tags that bring a larger audience to any given item. As well, some sellers will tend to use just the site they sell on to compare and end up thinking their piece is confirmed because another one exists that looks quite similar and so on.. Having been caught out myself at times, I am hesitant to call any piece Juliana at this point! Having said that; regardless who made this, an unsigned beauty, it is High quality, dynamic design, has similarities in design, cuts and colors of stones, this brooch may or may not be Juliana. I honestly do not know. It may or may not have been made by D&E. But I do know this; it is beautiful. High style and flair - a little treasure you can wear!
SIZE: This gorgeous brooch is 2 1/4” across and is 1” wide or thick. It stands about 3/4” deep. A sturdy built in pin back features a rollover style safety clasp closure.
CONDITION: In very good vintage condition showing minimal wear apparent. I see no loose or missing stones and no signs of replacement or repair. No crushed tips on marquis cut stones, no breaks or cracks noted and stones are very lively and bright. Colors are incredible and I love the combo! Pink and green yes, but the tones! Olivine green and fuchsia, a deep pink with purple and pink accents. This one pops and sizzles. The plated gold tone metals are bright and lustrous with no peeling or flaking and zero signs of loss, rust or verdigris. I may have missed a micro flea bite but I honestly don't see any obvious ones. The pin back is intact and functional with a straight shaft, working hinge and clasp. I always recommend using the zoom function to better ascertain condition meets your own standards before purchase because your ideal and mine may differ. Vintage often comes with some signs of age. This is a pre loved piece. Having said that, I still rate it as very good condition.
NOTE: Free shipping covers standard parcel post with no tracking added. Hipcricket is not liable for missing post with proof of shipping via receipt and tracking is recommended to insure against loss in transit - especially in this era of shipping slowdown due to shipping volumes and Covid protocols at customs. To upgrade your shipping, either use the option at checkout or purchase postage upgrade listing in shop (search in shop for listing titled “added tracking “) or contact me for assistance. Thank you!
INTERNATIONAL Clients: please contact me for quotes by sending your post code, city code or country code. Tracking to international destinations is pricey, sorry!
(For more info please refer to shop policies. Hipcricket has a limited Return Policy.)
Enjoying what you see here? Click below to see what else is in store today!
https://etsy.me/1GIMNDe
Product code: Vintage Brooch Pink and Green Leaf Motif Possibly D&E order