Petite vintage / antique Bohemian garnet circle brooch, rose cut stones set in hallmarked sterling silver gilt, trombone clasp

Beautiful, petite rose cut Bohemian garnet circle brooch. It has the gems claw/prong set with delicate open backed settings. The quality is very nice. The brooch has a tiny set of hallmarks stamped on the pin - the metal is sterling silver with a very pale gilded or gold plated surface. It has a diameter of 1 inch and fastens with a secure trombone clasp and pin. It is provided in the little hinged presentation box as pictured. The final picture shows an antique advertising plate for these Bohemian garnet pieces.

The famous garnets of Bohemia were found in the hills to the northeast and northwest of Prague. The glistening red jewels were (and still are) cut in Prague and then the town of Turnov, to the northeast of Prague. Turnov is part of the Bohemian Paradise Geopark; a UNESCO listed nature reserve where people can discover unique geological phenomena such as dolomite caves, petrified forests, olivine balls and gem materials, such as chalcedony, opal, amethyst, jasper and garnet. Turnov has been known for stone cutting, engraving and jewellery making for hundreds of years, the most prolific period being the 1700s. A jewellery school was established there in 1884 and two years later, a museum was opened. "The Museum of the Bohemian Paradise" is a very interesting place for visitors eager to learn about gems, jewellery, mineralogy and more, particularly Bohemian garnet. Turnov's highest mountain, Kozákov is the site where deposits of garnet have been found.