Paspaley Keshi Pearl & Diamond Flower Brooch

• Keshi Pearls - Keshi is a Japanese word meaning 'poppy seed', but not an indicator of the true size of the pearl. But keshi pearls are small, and are usually irregular in shape. They are sold by weight rather than size as is usual with pearls. Originally a by-product of pearl farming, most Keshi pearls are now deliberately cultivated.
• Brilliant Cut - In their naturally occuring state diamonds have little life or sparkle and for many centuries were simply cut in half and worn in amulets. Invented at the end of the 17th century by a Venetian diamond cutter, a "brilliant cut" diamond has 58 facets arranged in a regular geometric relationship, with 33 above the crown and 25 below on the pavilion.
  
  The introduction of the brilliant cut increased the popularity of diamonds in jewellery as it was the first cut to reveal the fire of the diamond, with the light being internally reflected from one facet to another, and was superior to the previously used table cut and rose cut.Variants to the brilliant cut have emerged since the end of the 17th century, but the popularity of the original brilliant cut has continued to the present time, where it is still the most commonly found cut.
  
  .

This item has been included into following indexes:

• brooches, diamond - diamond and pearl 392
• brooches, gold - gold with pearls 921
• brooches, silver - silver items 2,539
• Paspaley pearls (Australia) - brooches, designers 15