Sparkly Brooch Appraisal

Vintage Rhinestone Starburst Brooch

This is a vintage or antique brooch, likely a costume jewelry piece given the abundance of clear, faceted stones which appear to be rhinestones or paste rather than genuine diamonds. The brooch features a circular, possibly floral or starburst, design composed of numerous clear, colorless stones set in a silver-toned metal. The central stone is a large, round faceted rhinestone, surrounded by a symmetrical arrangement of smaller, similarly cut round stones and several larger, oval-shaped stones. These stones are held in place by multi-prong settings, indicative of good craftsmanship for costume jewelry, ensuring each stone is securely mounted. The metal setting appears to be a rhodium-plated base metal or pot metal due to its bright, untarnished silver appearance and smooth finish. Some of the smaller stones are set on elevated prongs or bars, creating a three-dimensional, layered effect, adding depth and sparkle to the piece. There are no immediately visible condition issues such as missing stones, significant scratches, or heavy discoloration on the metal, though a faint yellow reflection is seen on one oval stone, suggesting light glinting off its surface rather than damage. No maker's marks or signatures are visible from this top-down view. The design style, with its clustered and elevated stones, suggests a mid-20th century aesthetic, perhaps from the 1940s to 1960s. The overall quality of the sparkle from the rhinestones is high, indicating good quality glass or crystal stones designed to mimic diamonds. The craftsmanship indicates thoughtful arrangement of stones to maximize brilliance and visual impact.