Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
An elegant Art Deco bar brooch crafted from Platinon, a specialized non-tarnishing alloy designed to mimic the look of platinum. It features a symmetrical geometric design set with sparkling clear paste stones, showcasing the classic linear aesthetic of the 1920s.
Story
In 1922, British jeweler John Wall invented Platinon to give fashionable women the ultra-luxurious look of platinum without the astronomical price tag. This clever alloy democratized high-end Art Deco style during the roaring twenties.
Maker / Origin
Platinon was a proprietary metal alloy introduced in the early 1920s by John Wall of Birmingham, England. Marketed heavily as 'the metal with the platinum luster,' it was celebrated because it did not tarnish or change color, unlike silver, making it highly desirable for imitation diamond jewelry.
Condition & Value
The brooch appears to be in very good vintage condition. The metal shows minimal wear, consistent with Platinon's tarnish-resistant properties, and the pin mechanism on the reverse is intact. All paste stones appear present, though some show very minor age-related darkening.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.