Set in 750/1000 (18K) yellow gold composed of a barrette brooch decorated in a bezel setting on a paillon with 5 rose-cut garnets and a cross in 750/1000 (18K) yellow gold decorated in a bezel setting on a paillon rose-cut garnets.
Although worn in other regions, garnet jewelry is characteristic of Languedoc-Roussillon where it is still very popular. The garnets are cut with a flat bottom, and the top into facets, then set on spangles. This gives a beautiful shine to these normally dark stones. The garnets used in the region came from Syria and were cut in the Jura. Garnet being a fairly dark stone, the jewelers of Roussillon had developed a perfected technique to give it more brilliance: cut it very finely in pink and set it closed on a paillon generally dyed red. These crosses must never be immersed in water, as this could damage the straws.
Pin length: 33 mm Cross dimensions: 43 x 30 mm excluding bail
Gross weight: 8.1g
Late 19th century
