An eighteen carat yellow gold and platinum diamond brooch, or pin, in the form of a bug set with diamonds and emeralds. This is a speculator, if not a little strange brooch. It appears to be a spider, but there are only six legs! It is perhaps a study of a spider cricket which has the appearance of a spider, but only has the six legs! Regardless of the bug in question, as a piece of jewellery it is stunning.
The pin is presented in what appears to be its original box. The back silk of the box says Patek Philippe & Co., Geneva. The pin itself is not marked anywhere, either for gold, or the PP Co. for Patek. However, the brushed suede area that hold the pin in place, and the six tiny indents that hold in the legs all appear to have been there for some time, and that the box was made for the pin.
The pin itself comprises of two cushion cut emeralds and a series of old mine cut diamonds. Each leg is set with diamonds, and all three parts of the bug's body are set with diamonds as well. The total diamond carat weight is approximately two carats total. The large rectangular cushion cut emerald making up the bug's body is stunning. It comes with a certificate from the AGL. The certificate states that it is a Colombian, natural beryl, emerald. It is treated, but only on the 'minor' scale of the grading scale, making it a rare and beautiful stone. Almost all emeralds are treated after mining in order to help preserve the stones. They are kept in cedarwood oil, as well as waxes, such as parafin. The natural inclusions in the stone give it amazing depth, and the colour is beautiful. It is a very large stone, weighing approximately just over four carats. There is another, smaller one making up part of the bug's head. This one is approximately one carat and is a square cushion cut, and has even more vibrant green in its colouring.
The pin cannot be sold as being made by Patek Philippe, as it is not signed. However, there is an excellent chance it was retailed by them, perhaps at the request of a top client with an obsession for creepy crawlies! It will remain accompanied by this original box, the deep wine colour velvet which can often be seen from Patek pocket watches from the period, all seems to tie the connection together. It has an earlier logo in the back of the lid which dates it to the turn of the 20th Century, all of which makes it possible that it may not have been marked too.
Whether a Patek Philippe fan, or just a fan of fabulous jewellery, or indeed bugs, this pin will light up any outfit, and be sure to be a conversation starter.
