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Identification

Edwardian 15ct Gold & Opal Bar Brooch in Gibson & Co. Belfast Box

Photo reference

5 uploaded photos

Overview

The '15CT' stamp confirms the British 15-karat gold standard used between 1854 and 1932, strongly supporting the late Victorian/Edwardian dating alongside the delicate scalloped openwork design and milgrain bezel setting.

Story

The brooch is presented in a fitted box from Gibson & Co. Ltd of Belfast, a notable jeweler and silversmith that held a Royal Warrant. While the brooch itself lacks a specific maker's mark—common for pieces retailed by prominent jewelers of the era—the '15CT' stamp confirms British Empire origins between 1854 and 1932, perfectly aligning with the Edwardian aesthetic. The secondary market for Edwardian and late Victorian 15ct gold jewelry remains stable, driven by collectors of period-specific pieces.

Maker / Origin

Unmarked (Retailed by Gibson & Co. Ltd, Belfast)

Condition & Value

Visually, the brooch presents well with a vibrant opal and intact scalloped gold work. The original Gibson & Co. box appears in good period condition, which enhances the overall presentation.

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 Edwardian and late Victorian 15ct gold jewelry remains stable, driven by collectors of period-specific pieces. Bar brooches, while less universally worn today than in the early 20th century, maintain consistent demand when featuring vibrant, undamaged colored gemstones like opals. Original fitted presentation boxes from known retailers add a distinct premium, appealing to purists and historical collectors.

Value Drivers

▲ Confirmed '15CT' stamp establishes British late Victorian/Edwardian gold purity.

▲ Original fitted presentation box from Royal Warrant holder Gibson & Co. Ltd adds a historical premium.

▲ Solid opal displays vibrant play-of-color in the provided imagery.

Concerns

▼ Unverified opal condition — edge chips or crazing would drop the value to the $70 damaged-stone floor.

▼ Missing total weight and dimensions prevents precise intrinsic gold value calculation.

▼ Unverified clasp mechanism — period-correct C-clasps or early safety catches are required to confirm an unaltered state.

Best Venue

Pending confirmation of the opal's condition and the gold weight, this piece is best suited for a specialized antique jewelry auction. Ensure the original Gibson & Co. box is prominently featured in all photography, as it provides crucial period context. If the opal is confirmed flawless and the weight is substantial, consider setting a reserve near the $250 mark.

Upside Potential

If the total weight exceeds 5 grams and the opal is confirmed to be completely free of crazing or chips under magnification, the piece could push toward the $800+ retail asking tier seen in the 1stDibs and Jewellery Warehouse comparables.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 8 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.

  • Elmwood's· 2023-07-04
    AN ANTIQUE OPAL BANGLE in 15ct yellow gold, the hinged bangle set with a row of oval cabochon opals
    Different form (bangle instead of a brooch).
    $1,500
  • Laurelle Antique Jewellery
    Antique Edwardian Opal Bar Brooch 3.5ct Opal 15ct Gold
    Link could not be verified.
    $995
  • Eye of the Cat Jewellery
    Antique Edwardian Opal Bar Brooch
    Link could not be verified.
    $590
  • Kinghams Auctioneers· 2024-02-23
    An early 20th century 15ct gold diamond and opal bar brooch
    Link could not be verified.
    $530
  • Ellison Davies
    Antique Opal Brooch,Edwardian Opal Bar Brooch,Oval Opal Bar Brooch
    Link could not be verified.
    $295
  • Hutchinson Scott
    A 15CT GOLD PEARL AND DIAMOND BAR BROOCH AND A 15CT GOLD CAMEO BROOCH
    Different materials (pearl, diamond, cameo); lacks opal entirely.
    $240
  • Silver, Jewellery & Watches Auction
    An Edwardian black opal bar brooch
    Link could not be verified.
    $165
  • Denhams· 2016-01-20
    An Edwardian 15ct gold opal bar brooch and 3 others
    Mixed lot including 3 other items; price will not accurately reflect the single brooch.
    $48