A mid-nineteenth century gold and aquamarine brooch and earring demi parure. The quatrefoil brooch set with oval-cut aquamarines within repoussé scrolls, suspending a detachable drop similarly-set with oval-cut and pear-shaped aquamarines, the converted earrings of similar design, all with later fittings, both mounted in gold, lengths: brooch 10.2 cm, earrings 4.8 cm, fitted case by S.J.Phillips Ltd, 139 New Bond St, London.

The late Victorian period, from 1880-1900, was a time of great change in society at large, as well as in the aesthetics of jewelry. Elaborate ostentation in both dress and adornment gave way to refined simplicity. With the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, silver became widely available for use in jewelry. Styles favored light colored jewelry set in silver, and some progressive women did away with daytime jewelry altogether. Necklaces featured fringes and festoons, and wide chokers worn high on the neck also became popular. The advent of electric lighting late in the century further solidified the use of diamonds in jewelry, often set 'a jour,' or open-backed, to take advantage of the enhanced lighting available in the evening.