Vintage Gold-Tone Layered Flower Brooch and Clip-On Earring Demi-Parure

This is a vintage three-piece demi-parure costume jewelry set, consisting of one large brooch and a matching pair of clip-on earrings. Each piece features a multi-layered, three-dimensional floral motif resembling a dahlia or chrysanthemum. The metal is a gold-tone base, likely brass with a matte or brushed satin finish on the petal surfaces, contrasted by polished edges that create a subtle sense of depth and movement. Each flower is centered with a large, round-cut clear rhinestone or faceted glass crystal, secured in a multi-prong setting within a textured floret cup. The brooch is significantly larger than the earrings and includes a decorative stem and leaf detail protruding from the bottom. The construction demonstrates mid-century assembly techniques, likely dating from the 1950s or 1960s. The condition appears fair to good for its age; while the metal retains much of its original luster, there are visible signs of tarnish and darkening at the petal tips and recessed areas, suggesting minor oxidation of the plating. The crystals show consistent brilliance, though closer inspection for foil-back degradation would be necessary to confirm long-term stability. This set represents a classic examples of high-quality mid-century seasonal costume jewelry by makers like Coro or Trifari, though no specific maker mark is visible in the provided image.

I have examined the digital images of this vintage floral demi-parure. The set exhibits several hallmarks of mid-century American costume jewelry production, specifically the layered, 'frilled' metalwork popular during the 1950s and 60s. The construction utilizes mechanical riveting and prong-set chaton crystals, which suggests a standard of quality consistent with mid-market manufacturers such as Coro, Trifari, or Lisner. The matte-gold finish with polished accents provides a 'brushed' texture that was a staple of that era. The condition of the set is fair to good. I observe noticeable oxidation and 'greening' (verdigris) on the petal tips and recessed joints, likely due to the breakdown of the base metal plating under exposure to moisture. This wear significantly impacts the value, as restoration of costume plating is often cost-prohibitive. The clear crystals retain good brilliance, though I cannot definitively confirm the integrity of the foil backing without a jeweler's loupe. The market for unsigned floral costume jewelry is currently saturated, with high demand reserved primarily for signed pieces or those using high-end materials like 'poured glass' or rare aurora borealis stones. This set is a classic 'bread and butter' collectible. Its value is driven by its tiered three-dimensional design and the presence of the original matching earrings. Limitations: This appraisal is based strictly on visual inspection of images. Full authentication and a firmer valuation would require an in-person examination to locate hidden maker's marks, verify the base metal composition, and assess the mechanical health of the brooch pin and earring clips. Verification of provenance would also be necessary to determine if the set originated from a specific designer’s collection.