Bidspirit auction | Victorian antique filigree pinchbeck brooch

Victorian antique filigree pinchbeck brooch set with marcasite. - Victorian antique filigree pinchbeck brooch set with marcasite HAND CRAFTED. SIZE: 52 x 8 mm. (2 x 0.3″) LIGHT WEAR Pinchbeck is a form of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, mixed in proportions so that it closely resembles gold in appearance. It was invented in the 18th century by Christopher Pinchbeck, a London clockmaker. Since gold was only sold in 18-carat quality at that time, the development of pinchbeck allowed ordinary people to buy gold ‘effect’ jewelry on a budget. The inventor allegedly made pinchbeck jewellery clearly labelled as such. Pinchbeck jewellery was used in places like stagecoaches where there was a risk of theft. Later dishonest jewellers passed pinchbeck off as gold; over the years it came to mean a cheap and tawdry imitation of gold.