Antique Snake Aesthetic Russian gold plate HUGE sash buckle Brooch

A protective snake or serpent wraps its way around this fabulous Russian gold plate victorian Sash buckle brooch.Not only is this HUGE ( 3 1/4" x 2") but it is heavy and really well made.This is such a versatile piece that it has many functions. You can wear it as a brooch, thread a silk scarf thru it, add it to a hat or a purse or even hang it from a necklace. This is such a gothic or medieval brooch that you can only wonder about its original owner. The plating is rich and in great condition. 

You can see it HERE at the Real VintageSparkles on Etsy

What is this Mysterious GOLD Quartz ?

In 1896 the discovery of gold along the valleys of the Yukon and Klondike rivers launched a great stampede of prospectors north to Alaska and the Yukon territory of Canada. BEing very rare and highly collectible this is one of the most fabulous pieces I have ever seen. The era of gold quartz came to an end around 1906, undoubtedly precipitated by the great San Francisco earthquake which destroyed most of the city.

Gold in quartz pieces gained popularity during the old gold rush days in California starting in 1849.Now, in 1848, they came to California to mine gold. Now, when they would mine gold, they would take it out of veins in mountains and they would take it out of the rock and purify it. But sometimes they would have a vein of quartz and there would be not enough gold to mine out, but enough gold to make jewelry, and that's called quartz-gold jewelry. I have seen a necklace and earrings appraised at $5000.00 with much less gold content and not near enough the size of gold quart. And actually, there's quite a bit of gold in here. 

You can see this antique Gold Quartz Brooch HERE at the  REAL VintageSparkles on Etsy

OH Apollo!!! Love you in Cameo form!

Carved in all his glory, this genuine shell victorian cameo brooch can be seen here on the REAL VintagSparkles on Etsy