Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Brooch

A striking Art Deco brooch with a sparkling diamond, bright blue man-made sapphire and three luminous pearls set above a lattice of geometric curves.  This intriguing design has been variously described as a stylized palm tree, a vase with flowers and an ascending hot air balloon.  We leave the ultimate interpretation to the wearer although we favor the hot air balloon hypothesis. Created by Krementz & Co. in 14kt gold circa 1925.

The top of the clasp is stamped with the maker's mark of Krementz & Company and "14K" for the purity of the gold.  The maker's mark (just above the purity mark) is a stylized collar button, also sometimes known as the "two handled umbrella." Krementz & Co. was founded shortly after the Civil War and created beautifully designed, finely crafted brooches, cufflinks and other jewels well into the 20th century.

Name:  Up, Up and Away!

Cost:  $685

Measurements:  This Art Deco brooch is crafted in 14kt yellow and white4 gold.  It is 1" in diameter and weighs 3.1 grams.

What the Bachs were to music and the Bernoullis to mathematics, the Krementz family was to jewelry manufacturing in the United States.  When George Krementz founded Krementz & Co. shortly after the Civil War (1866) he began a jewelry dynasty that has touched jewelry design and innovation in three centuries.  The original firm and its off shoots have been a creative force in everything from fine to costume jewelry, colored gemstones to rich enamels, stickpins to tiaras.  The firm is especially known for the elegant jewels it created during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras.