A brooch caught mid-pirouette. Leafy fronds pavé-set with diamonds whirl around a central diamond of about 4.5 mm, while slender stems tipped with round diamonds fly outward like the skirt of a spinning dancer. Short curving channels of small princess-cut emeralds and sapphires chase one another around the center, adding a flash of green and blue to all that white. The openwork construction lets light through from behind, and the reverse carries a pin.

The diamonds total approximately 2.99 carats: the central stone, two of about 4 mm, twenty-seven rounds of about 2.5 mm and thirty-four smaller rounds of 1.25 to 1.75 mm.

The Details

• Era: Probably mid-20th century
• Metal: 50% platinum, 8kt gold (as stated by the auction house)
• Stones: Diamonds, approx. 2.99 cttw; small princess-cut emeralds and sapphires
• Measurements: 35.5 mm (1.4 in.) in diameter
• Weight: 14.96 grams (9.62 dwt)
• Condition: One small stone missing.