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Georgian 18K Gold & Paste Halley’s Comet Pin


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Directory: Estate Jewelry: Gold: Pre Victorian: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1464121
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A particularly attractive Georgian example of a Halley’s Comet pin worked in 18K yellow gold, accented with black enamel, and featuring a comet head set with a bright green paste stone to represent the comet’s nucleus surrounded by old cut clear paste stones representing the bright coma. The pastes are set in an elegant buttercup setting with a fluted back. The gold setting also has engraved decorative elements representing the comet’s tail.
In 1705, Edmond Halley correctly predicted the comet’s return in 1758. When it returned in 1835 (and in 1910), jewelers were ready with fashionable pins to celebrate the comet’s passage. Most often, these pins are in lower karat gold, instead of 18K as in this example. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold.
  • Origin: England, ca 1835
  • Condition: excellent, flakes on the green paste are visible only under magnification
  • Dimensions: 1-3/16” long
  • Weight: 4.4 grams