#JOTW Victorian Brooch Conversion Project

[JPie]

Not long ago, I came across this $6,500 Victorian sapphire & diamond crescent. This was way out of my price range!

https://thewebster.us/shop/the-victoria-59401.html


I began to look in earnest for a brooch I could convert on my own, and I jumped on this one I found for $1,258. Total dead ringer, right?

Specs: solid 10K rose gold topped with silver, with 23 vivid natural blue sapphires, 29 sparkling old cut diamonds. Total estimated sapphire carat weight of approximately 2.22 ctw, and approximately .65 ctw of old diamonds, plus a pearl.


I wanted to use as much of the brooch as possible, so in addition to a crescent necklace, I had a ring made from the flower, and stud earrings from the stones on each end.

 

[JPie]

First up, here's the necklace. I opted for a 1.5mm 14K rose gold cable chain in 18" length. The base of the crescent is rose gold and I wanted to match the chain back to that.

 

[JPie]

Next is the ring. The shank is 1.8mm in 14k rose gold. The flower itself is entirely sterling silver, with rose cut diamonds around the pearl. It’s sized 5.5 and this will be gifted to my niece.

 

[JPie]

The studs were done last and are en route. I’ll post pics when they arrive. In the meantime, I took a family portrait of my fledgling sapphire collection.

 

[Arkteia]

Amazingly vivid stones for such a price. Great idea, and wonderful pieces!

 

[Gussie]

I LOVE it! That pendant is tdf!!!!!!!

 

[LLJsmom]

That sapphire crescent - genius!!!!

 

[yennyfire]

Ohhh, that’s just fabulous!! Do you mind my asking approx how much you invested in the conversions? I had considered taking an old brooch and turning it into a bangle, and was shocked at the quote I received, so I’m curious since you repurposed so many of the components from the original piece....

 

[Hounddog]

What a beautiful pendant , it’s fabulous, such beautifully coloured Sapphires. I’m sure your niece will be thrilled with the ring too. Can’t wait to see your studs, they’re going to be lovely too I’m sure.
Great conversion, really love the pendant...what a great find...and your long Sapphire Earrings too. Enjoy!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

This your niece calling--could I have my ring soon? BTW, great necklace Auntie!

cheers--Sharon

 

[apacherose]

First up, here's the necklace. I opted for a 1.5mm 14K rose gold cable chain in 18" length. The base of the crescent is rose gold and I wanted to match the chain back to that.

Love it- stunning!!!! Love the shape, the blue crescent, you wear it beautifully

 

[sarahb]

What a superb job!! Its beautiful! Congrats!

 

[JPie]

Amazingly vivid stones for such a price. Great idea, and wonderful pieces!

Thank you! I was pleasantly surprised by their color.

I LOVE it! That pendant is tdf!!!!!!!

That sapphire crescent - genius!!!!

Love it- stunning!!!! Love the shape, the blue crescent, you wear it beautifully

What a superb job!! Its beautiful! Congrats!

Thank you! I’m quite thrilled with the pendant.

Ohhh, that’s just fabulous!! Do you mind my asking approx how much you invested in the conversions? I had considered taking an old brooch and turning it into a bangle, and was shocked at the quote I received, so I’m curious since you repurposed so many of the components from the original piece....

The cost for parts & labor was $978. I didn’t shop around and went with the seller’s trusted jeweler because I wasn’t sure it would be any cheaper where I live, and the total with the brooch was still a bargain for everything I would get.

May I ask how much you were quoted for a bracelet?

What a beautiful pendant , it’s fabulous, such beautifully coloured Sapphires. I’m sure your niece will be thrilled with the ring too. Can’t wait to see your studs, they’re going to be lovely too I’m sure.
Great conversion, really love the pendant...what a great find...and your long Sapphire Earrings too. Enjoy!

Thank you! My niece is about 2 1/2 years old, so I guess my sister will enjoy the ring for now.

HI:

This your niece calling--could I have my ring soon? BTW, great necklace Auntie!

cheers--Sharon

LOL!

 

[yennyfire]

[QUOTE="JPie, post: 4350264, member:

The cost for parts & labor was $978. I didn’t shop around and went with the seller’s trusted jeweler because I wasn’t sure it would be any cheaper where I live, and the total with the brooch was still a bargain for everything I would get.

May I ask how much you were quoted for a bracelet?

[/QUOTE]

It was over $2k, which seemed really high to shape the brooch slightly to mold my wrist and to add the pieces to go around my wrist to keep it on (I wanted something with balls on each end so that it stayed on the top of my wrist and didn’t roll over, so it didn’t have a clasp or hinge and wasn’t that much material). Maybe my expectations were off base?? I’d be dancing with joy to have spent under $1k for all of the pieces you turned the original into!! Brava!!

 

[JPie]

It was over $2k, which seemed really high to shape the brooch slightly to mold my wrist and to add the pieces to go around my wrist to keep it on (I wanted something with balls on each end so that it stayed on the top of my wrist and didn’t roll over, so it didn’t have a clasp or hinge and wasn’t that much material). Maybe my expectations were off base?? I’d be dancing with joy to have spent under $1k for all of the pieces you turned the original into!! Brava!!

Wow, that’s crazy expensive! I would’ve passed as well.

 

[Catmom]

Well I have to admit that it makes a beautiful necklace and ring but as a brooch lover I may just cry a little bit.

 

[PintoBean]

Omg this is amazing! I'm dying to see the earrings next! I love how the crescent looks on you. It's unbelievable!

 

[JPie]

Well I have to admit that it makes a beautiful necklace and ring but as a brooch lover I may just cry a little bit.

For what it’s worth, it is treasured in its current incarnation.

Omg this is amazing! I'm dying to see the earrings next! I love how the crescent looks on you. It's unbelievable!

Thank you! Will post pics when the studs arrive.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Amazing!!!

 

[PintoBean]

@Asscherhalo_lover and others can attest to how enamored I am with your conversion. I found your brooch twin on 1stdibs and it was over $6k. You did amazing!

My dream crescent would be sapphire, turquoise or Ruby with diamonds. eBay is not cooperating with me and nothing is as nice as your find in that price range.

 

[ac117]

This is amazing!!! What great finds and beautiful conversions!!

 

[JPie]

Amazing!!!

This is amazing!!! What great finds and beautiful conversions!!

Thank you!

@Asscherhalo_lover and others can attest to how enamored I am with your conversion. I found your brooch twin on 1stdibs and it was over $6k. You did amazing!

My dream crescent would be sapphire, turquoise or Ruby with diamonds. eBay is not cooperating with me and nothing is as nice as your find in that price range.

Holy moly! Now I will pat myself on the back.

Are you looking for the same style? I’d be happy to holler if I see something!

 

[PintoBean]

Thank you!



Holy moly! Now I will pat myself on the back.

Are you looking for the same style? I’d be happy to holler if I see something!

Hahaha if you see something please let me know! You can find me on LT by searching "pintobean".

So far I see pins over $1,000 in the U.K. with a much lower ctw for sapphire and bling!!!! I'm more comfortable buying from eBay within the US though...

Did you know these are also called "honeymoon" pins? Isn't that adorable?

 

[JPie]

Hahaha if you see something please let me know! You can find me on LT by searching "pintobean".

So far I see pins over $1,000 in the U.K. with a much lower ctw for sapphire and bling!!!! I'm more comfortable buying from eBay within the US though...

Did you know these are also called "honeymoon" pins? Isn't that adorable?

Will find you on LT!

I learned about honeymoon pins about a month or two ago. It’s such a sweet sentiment! Probably kept divorce rates low.

 

[missy]

Wow, gorgeous! Beautiful conversions and they look just lovely on you.

 

[petite_singe]

This is truly magnificent! The blue colour of those sapphires are tdf!! It looks so pretty on you with a lot of presence.

 

[arkieb1]

Gorgeous conversion, I honestly think it looks better than the original!!!!

 

[JPie]

Wow, gorgeous! Beautiful conversions and they look just lovely on you.

Thank you!

This is truly magnificent! The blue colour of those sapphires are tdf!! It looks so pretty on you with a lot of presence.

Thanks! It’s definitely one of my larger pendants and I love it!

Gorgeous conversion, I honestly think it looks better than the original!!!!

Thank you! I tried to recycle as much of it as possible. The pin could’ve been turned into a ring too but the labor cost more than buying a new band.

 

[Tekate]

You are a great aunt! all the pieces are beautiful.. I love the necklace.. very cool to repurpose!

 

[meely]

My goodness this is absolutely stunning and what a bargain as well! Congratulations!