Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Van Cleef & Arpels, lapis lazuli and diamond butterfly clip brooch, the wings set with lapis lazuli, highlighted with round brilliant-cut diamonds to the abdomen, signed Vca, numbered B1508L6, French assay marks, maker's mark, 18ct gold, weight 26.8gm, length 1.77 in. Provenance: The Caroline Laws collection
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- Assay / Assayed - Assaying is the testing of a metal, most commonly silver and gold to determine its ingredients and quality. In Britain, once an item of silver or gold has been assayed, a mark is stamped on it, certifying its purity. Known as hallmark, it derives its name from the Guild Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company, who recieved its Charter in 1327 giving it the power to assay and mark articles of gold and silver.
- Lapis Lazuli - Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious deep blue coloured stone, sometimes with gold inclusions, that has been used for thousands of years for jewellery, decorative items and decoration.
It is mined in Afghanistan, Siberia, Chile, USA and Burma. The mines in north-eastern Afghanistan are the largest source of lapis lazuli, and have been operating for over 6,000 years.
They were the source of the stone for the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilsations.
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