Victorian Serpent Brooch cameos & intaglios Some wear and minor losses

Some wear and minor losses to the enamel and the pearls consistent with age

The cameo is crafted in silver and the detail is excellent

chocolate-brown smoky quartz stone with double-claw settings and a pierced gallery

The background is a vivid iridescent blue morpho butterfly wing

but these stones were created by humans in a laboratory - humans who managed to successfully recreate the powerful forces within the Earth's crust to produce some of nature's most mesmerising and coveted treasures

Victorian Serpent Brooch cameos & intaglios Some wear and minor lossesSuperb antique snake brooch dating from the Victorian period, circa 1870. It's French, crafted in 18ct gold, and features cabochon ruby eyes and a rose diamond 'brain'. The face is beautifully formed, with textured scales and a cute, cartoonish face, and there's a bail tucked underneath its head allowing it to be worn as a pendant (or, alternatively, allows a drop to be attached which was probably the original intention). The craftsmanship is