Vintage Aurora Borealis Starburst Brooch

This item is a starburst-style costume jewelry brooch, likely dating from the mid-20th century, specifically the 1950s or 1960s. The piece features a complex, multi-tiered floral or sunburst arrangement consisting of numerous round-cut stones. These stones are finished with an Aurora Borealis (AB) coating, which gives them an iridescent shimmer that reflects a rainbow of colors, primarily blues, pinks, and yellows. The metal setting appears to be silver-tone rhodium-plated base metal, which was common for high-quality costume jewelry of that era to prevent tarnishing. The piece displays a spray layout with branching 'stems' tipped with smaller AB rhinestones and interspersed with textured metal leaf motifs. In terms of condition, the stones appear mostly intact and clear, though some minor glue residue or 'graying' typical of aging foil-backed stones may be present. The construction utilizes prong settings for the central larger stones and bead/glue settings for the smaller accents. There are no visible maker's marks from this angle, but the complexity of the design suggests a reputable costume jewelry house from the period. The refraction and 'fire' within the stones indicate they are likely glass crystals rather than plastic resin.

This mid-century Aurora Borealis (AB) starburst brooch, circa 1955-1965, displays the high-production quality typical of the 'Golden Age' of costume jewelry. Based on my visual examination, the stones are glass crystals—likely Austrian—featuring the iridescent coating developed by Swarovski in 1955. The rhodium-plated setting remains bright, and the multi-tiered construction suggests a higher-end manufacturer, though the absence of a visible hallmark such as 'Trifari' or 'Coro' limits the premium value. The condition appears 'excellent-vintage', with clear stones and minimal 'fogging' of the foil backings. The market for unsigned AB brooches remains steady but saturated; value is driven by the complexity of the 'sunburst' design rather than rarity. Similar pieces currently trade in the forty-to-seventy-five-dollar range. I must note that this appraisal is based on photographic evidence alone. Identifying the specific base metal alloy and checking for microscopic signatures or designer-specific construction techniques (like 'puddling' or specific pin-back mechanisms) requires physical handling. A definitive valuation would also benefit from provenance or original packaging, and an in-person loupe inspection is necessary to check for hidden stone chips or repairs to the solder joints that are not visible in the provided image.