22ct Gold Nugget Brooch | American Gold Rush c.1880
22ct Gold Nugget Brooch | American Gold Rush c.1880
POA
Description
A rare and evocative brooch formed from a naturally occurring 22-carat gold nugget, dating to the height of the American Gold Rush around 1880.
This piece is as direct as it gets - a raw fragment of the earth, shaped by geological time and then simply mounted as a pin, likely by or for someone who unearthed it themselves or struck lucky in the trade.
There’s no pretence here - just weight, glow, and a story.
The nugget’s sculptural form hasn’t been overly worked or stylised, giving it a texture and presence that feels both ancient and unmistakably modern.
It’s not a piece designed for decoration alone; it’s a declaration of origin, effort, and elemental beauty.
In a time when provenance and honesty in materials matter more than ever, this brooch has both in abundance.
A survivor from a moment of global upheaval and wild ambition, it wears just as well today - maybe even better.
Diameter 3.5cm x 1cm
Available exclusively at ELTONS, Grays Antique Market, Mayfair, London.
For more information or to purchase this piece online, please visit our website www.eltonantiquejewellery.com
Elton Antique Jewellery
| item details | |
|---|---|
| Origin | American |
| Period | Pre 1900 |
| Materials | Gold |
| Carat for Gold | 22 K |
| Diameter | 3.5cm x 1cm |
Product REF: 657N
