Vintage Green Rhinestone and Aurora Borealis Floral Brooch

This is a vintage mid-century costume jewelry brooch, likely dating from the 1950s to 1960s. The piece features a complex, tiered floral or pom-pom arrangement set on a gold-tone metallic base. It is densely packed with round-cut light green peridot-colored rhinestones that form the body of the petals. Accentuating the design are five larger, round Aurora Borealis (AB) coated rhinestones which act as the flower centers, providing a characteristic iridescent shimmer reflecting pink, blue, and yellow hues. Deep emerald green marquise-cut stones are interspersed around the perimeter to simulate leaves, adding geometric variety and color depth. The construction uses individual claw-style prong settings for each stone, suggesting a higher quality of costume jewelry production typical of manufacturers such as Weiss, Kramer, or Trifari, though no specific maker's mark is visible in the photograph. The overall condition appears excellent with all stones present and secure; the AB coating remains vibrant without significant scuffing. The gold finish on the visible prongs shows minimal signs of oxidation or wear. This style is emblematic of the glamorous, bold costume jewelry favored during the post-war era, characterized by its substantial size and multi-dimensional aesthetic.

I have conducted a visual examination of the vintage light green and Aurora Borealis (AB) floral brooch. Based on the construction, the piece is a classic representative of mid-century costume jewelry, likely originating from the 1950s. The tiered 'pom-pom' architecture and the use of high-quality prong-set chatons and marquise-cut stones suggest a competent manufacturer specializing in 'sparkle' goods of the era. The condition appears to be excellent; the AB coating, which is often prone to scratches and 'falling' (losing its iridescence), remains vibrant and intact. The gold-tone plating shows no visible 'verdigris' or significant wear. The current market for unsigned mid-century costume jewelry is stable, though buyers are increasingly selective. While the design mimics the high-end aesthetics of houses like Weiss or Juliana (DeLizza & Elster), the lack of a visible signature or distinct identifying 'puddling' on the reverse limits the valuation to the decorative category rather than the rare collectible category. Comparables for unsigned green-spectrum floral brooches of this size typically hammer between $45 and $75 at boutique auctions. Note that this appraisal is based on photographic evidence only. A physical inspection is required to check for 'fleabite' chips on the stones, verify the security of the pin mechanism, and search for faint maker's marks that may be obscured by the settings. To determine if this is a 'verified' Juliana piece, I would need to examine the 'solder puddles' and figure-eight wiring on the reverse side. Without provenance or a signature, the value remains tied to its aesthetic appeal and condition.