{"product_id":"19th-century-french-18ct-gold-plated-silver-hematite-seed-pearl-tie-pin","title":"19th Century French 18ct Gold Plated Silver, Hematite \u0026 Seed Pearl Tie Pin,","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA charming late 19th-century French tie pin, dating to circa 1895, featuring a beautifully polished cabochon hematite surrounded by delicate seed pearls, mounted in gold-plated silver.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHematite is a fascinating gemstone, an iron oxide admired since antiquity for its distinctive dark, almost mirror-like metallic lustre. Its name derives from the Greek word \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehaima\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning blood, a reference to the reddish colour produced when the mineral is ground into a powder. Despite its silvery-black appearance when polished, hematite has long been associated with blood, strength and protection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the 19th century, its sombre colouring made it particularly suited to mourning and sentimental jewellery. Dark stones were associated with remembrance, while seed pearls were traditionally linked to purity, affection and tears. Together, they create a lovely contrast between the deep gunmetal grey of the hematite and the soft, creamy lustre of the pearls.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe simplicity of the design allows the natural beauty of the hematite to take centre stage, while the surrounding seed pearls add a delicate touch of elegance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pin is made from gold-plated silver and bears the French weevil (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003echarançon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) hallmark, together with the distinctive assay-office symbol for Nancy. These tiny marks offer a fascinating link to the French precious-metal trade of the late 19th century. A further mark reads 850, believed to indicate the silver fineness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDating to the Belle Époque, this elegant little jewel would originally have been worn to decorate a gentleman's tie or cravat. Today, it would look equally lovely worn on the lapel of a jacket, a blouse or even a scarf.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rather lovely example of late 19th-century jewellery, combining the fascinating history of hematite with the delicate sentimentality of seed pearls.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Parkin and Gerrish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57650129535349,"sku":"207M","price":135.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0373\/3428\/6475\/files\/19th-century-french-18ct-gold-plated-silver-hematite-seed-pearl-tie-pin-1080752.jpg?v=1791920365","url":"https:\/\/parkinandgerrish.com\/it\/products\/19th-century-french-18ct-gold-plated-silver-hematite-seed-pearl-tie-pin","provider":"Parkin and Gerrish","version":"1.0","type":"link"}