Exceptional and large-sized antique Victorian “Forget-Me-Not” lovers’ brooch, dating to the circa 1850s, a true jewel of sentimentality and craftsmanship.

RARE FIND — A Sentimental Victorian Treasure!

Up for admiration is an exceptional and large-sized antique Victorian “Forget-Me-Not” lovers’ brooch, dating to the circa 1850s, a true jewel of sentimentality and craftsmanship.

This exquisite piece is masterfully composed of a smooth oval cabochon of milky to translucent chalcedony, its gentle glow reminiscent of moonlight captured in stone. Mounted delicately upon the chalcedony surface is an intricate bouquet of forget-me-not flowers, crafted in fine metalwork and set with vibrant turquoise cabochons—each one perfectly domed and sky-blue, symbolizing eternal love and remembrance. The blossoms are accented with delicate gilt leaves and curling stems, forming a miniature botanical sculpture beneath chalcedony.

The brooch is framed within a golden pinchbeck bezel, enriched with a finely twisted rope border—a hallmark detail of mid-19th-century jewelry, popular before solid gold became more accessible. The reverse features the original extended pin and sturdy hinge typical of early Victorian brooches, further attesting to its authenticity and age.

During the Victorian era, every flower carried a message—and none was more poignant than the Forget-Me-Not. These delicate blooms symbolized undying love, remembrance, and fidelity, often exchanged between lovers separated by distance or death. Turquoise, too, held deep meaning: believed to protect the wearer and symbolize true friendship and eternal affection.

Pieces like this flourished during the early to mid-Victorian period (1837–1860), when sentimental jewelry was at its height. Brooches incorporating turquoise forget-me-nots were highly fashionable and often crafted in pinchbeck or gold, sometimes later converted to pendants or lockets. Surviving examples of this quality and size are now exceedingly rare, especially with all turquoise stones intact and vibrant.

Comparable examples have been documented in Victorian mourning jewelry collections and can command prices between $350 and $750 (R6,500–R13,000) depending on condition and provenance.

Measurements : The brooch measures 5cm x 4.1cm.The chalcedony gemstone measures 4.3cm x 3.5cm.