{"product_id":"victorian-bloomed-gold-mourning-lace-pin-with-ruby-and-pearl-flower","title":"Victorian Bloomed Gold Mourning Lace Pin with Ruby and Pearl Flower","description":"\u003cp\u003eContrary to popular belief, hair jewelry was not always mourning jewelry. Sometimes these intricately woven pieces were created as love tokens from sweethearts, family members and cherished friends as a way to feel closer to the other. It also was worn merely as fashion since hair jewelry was in vogue during the Victorian era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGaining in popularity during the Civil War, hair work was an affordable and common at-home drawing room past time, much like knitting. Patterns and templates were widely available in newspapers, fashion magazines and periodicals. Many young women earned a living making hair jewelry at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those less skilled or crafty, hair jewelry also could be purchased through catalogs or from jewelry stores. All one had to do was decide which piece they would like to have created and then send off a lock of hair to have it transformed into the piece of their dreams. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis striking, yet understated lace pin was made in Birmingham by the Corfield \u0026amp; Co. company. It is made of 9k yellow gold and uses a blend of polished and bloomed gold. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBloomed gold utilizes an acid immersion technique to bond an additional layer of gold to a piece giving it a matte appearance. This matte look was often used in mourning pieces such as this. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely ruby and seed pearl flower decorates the center. Secured under glass on the back is a woven lock of platinum blonde hair. Sadly, there are no engravings or clues as to who the hair belonged to. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStill, it is a lovely piece of jewelry showcasing a since forgotten past time of our ancestors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__group\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"accordion__label\"\u003e Additional Details \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__text\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1896 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9k gold, ruby, pearl, glass, human hair \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements: \u003c\/strong\u003e1\/2\" x 1\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarkings: \u003c\/strong\u003eBirmingham anchor, 9-375, w date mark, C \u0026amp; Co  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Good\u003cbr\u003eThere is very slight wear to the bloomed gold around the edges. One pearl has been replaced and sloppily glued in. There are a few small dents on the back of the brooch. None of these flaws detract. Most are only noticeable under magnification. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__group\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#\" class=\"accordion__label\"\u003e Cleaning and Care \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__text\"\u003eUsing extreme care and a light touch, polish metal with a soft jeweler's cloth, if necessary. Since the bloomed gold is bonded to the brooch, excessive scrubbing will remove it. Do not submerge in water.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Veiled Mirror","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46817603092669,"sku":null,"price":428.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/8304\/7101\/files\/9kHairBarBrooch.jpg?v=1779559477","url":"https:\/\/theveiledmirror.com\/products\/victorian-bloomed-gold-mourning-lace-pin-with-ruby-and-pearl-flower","provider":"The Veiled Mirror","version":"1.0","type":"link"}