Platinum, Gold and Diamond Flame Vintage Brooch/Hair Barrette, c. 1960's
Made popular by the world famous House of Van Cleef & Arpels, this Flame motif diamond set platinum piece backed with 18K yellow gold can be worn as either a brooch or hair barrette. In total it has 54 fine white diamonds. The total diamond weight is estimated to be 3.80 cts with the overall color and clarity to be approximately G/I (near colorless), and very slightly included to the first and second degrees,(VS1-2). The piece weighs 11.7 grams, is 3 inches in length and varies in width from 1/8th inches to 3/8th inches. On the back, there is a gold bar of "teeth" which will hold the piece in place both in the hair or on fabric.
This graceful motif called a "Flammes Clip" was first developed by Van Cleef & Arpels and worn by Jackie Kennedy during an official trip to Southern India in 1962. See photos numbered 134 and 135, Van Cleef & Arpels Reflections of Eternity, 2006, Editions Cercle D'Art. Other fine jewelers such as Oscar Heyman also had their own version of a Flame motif clip brooch. Our clip is not signed but, as evident of its fine craftsmanship and materials, was no doubt made by an important jewelry House.
In fine condition, this brooch bears no marks but acid tests to be 18K and platinum.
Please note our model is a medium to large size.
All items sold are accompanied by a detailed Statement of Value by our gemologist, as well as all original gemological documentation, if specified in the listing. As always, we guarantee all of pieces to be exactly as represented. Each piece of jewelry arrives in a finely gift-wrapped presentation box.
Over the decades of our stewardship as a small but exemplary purveyor of the jeweler's art, we have strived to offer a fine and authentic selection, in excellent condition, of collectible jewels from all highly sought time periods at competitive prices and even lower prices, if possible. In the process we have had the extraordinary good fortune of meeting remarkable people - some collectors, others just extremely interesting individuals who have taken the time and effort to examine their lives and select things that tend to make them smile, or admire, or just wonder at the exciting endlessly creative and nuanced panoply of jeweled artifacts.