estateRUTH.

Identification

Vintage Gold-Tone Faux Pearl Swirl Starburst Brooch

Photo reference

4 uploaded photos

Overview

Unsigned mid-20th-century costume jewelry brooch featuring gold-tone cast metal and faux pearls in a swirling starburst design. The rollover safety clasp and cast construction style are consistent with 1950s-1960s fashion jewelry.

Story

This piece is characteristic of mid-20th-century (1950s-1960s) fashion jewelry, a period known for bold, textured gold-tone metals and faux pearl accents. Without a maker's mark, it is attributed to the broader category of mass-produced American or European costume jewelry from that era. The secondary market for unsigned mid-century costume jewelry is highly saturated but maintains steady, localized demand among vintage fashion enthusiasts. Buyers typically source these pieces on platforms like Etsy, Poshmark, and eBay.

Maker / Origin

Unattributed

Condition & Value

The brooch exhibits typical wear for its age, but the seller notes one faux pearl is slightly loose. In the costume jewelry market, structural integrity is paramount; a loose or missing pearl directly impacts the piece's readiness for wear and depresses its value toward the lower end of the market range.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for unsigned mid-century costume jewelry is highly saturated but maintains steady, localized demand among vintage fashion enthusiasts. Buyers typically source these pieces on platforms like Etsy, Poshmark, and eBay. While designer-signed pieces command reliable premiums, unsigned examples rely entirely on aesthetic appeal, scale, and condition to drive value, making them sensitive to minor defects.

Value Drivers

▲ Classic mid-century starburst/swirl design maintains consistent vintage appeal.

▲ Gold-tone and faux pearl combination is highly versatile and popular among collectors.

Concerns

▼ Loose faux pearl requires repair and discounts the piece toward the $10-$15 floor.

▼ Lack of a maker's mark prevents access to the $35+ designer premium tier.

▼ Unverified dimensions — a diameter under 2 inches typically commands lower prices than larger statement pieces.

Best Venue

Secure the loose pearl with a tiny amount of jeweler's epoxy prior to listing to maximize returns. Once stabilized, list on a vintage-friendly retail platform like Etsy or Poshmark with an optimistic asking price of $20-$25, or bundle it with other vintage gold-tone brooches for a faster, more efficient sale.

Upside Potential

If the loose pearl is professionally secured and the brooch measures over 2. 5 inches in diameter, it could reach the $25-$30 upper retail asking range observed for pristine, large-scale unsigned starburst designs.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 2 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Mercari
    Vintage Gold Tone Starburst Brooch Pin Clear Amber Topaz Rhinestones Costume - The Unbranded Brand
    Features rhinestones instead of faux pearls.
    $20
  • Etsy
    Vintage Faux Pearl Starburst Brooch Silver Tone Floral Statement Pin Marquise Cabochons
    Silver-tone metal instead of gold-tone.
    $19