18K Two-Tone Gold Brutalist Floral Cluster Pendant
Pendant · Two-Tone; predominantly warm Yellow Gold with White Gold (or rhodium-treated) accents on the raised botanical tips
Purity: 18K/750 (75% pure gold, 25% alloy), likely European solid gold based on color and casting style
Type
Pendant
Purity
18K/750 (75% pure gold, 25% alloy), likely European solid gold based on color and casting style
Gold Type
Two-Tone; predominantly warm Yellow Gold with White Gold (or rhodium-treated) accents on the raised botanical tips
Weight
Estimated 4.5 to 6.5 grams; the piece appears dense and cast rather than hollow
Description
An avant-garde Brutalist pendant featuring a three-dimensional floral or starburst configuration. The piece utilizes an organic casting technique to create a rugged, 'melted' aesthetic that captures light across varied surface planes. The two-tone application emphasizes the sculptural depth of the piece, making it a statement of mid-century wearable art.
Key Features
Heavy textural casting, two-tone metal application, and 'illusion' tips that create a sparkling effect without stones
Color & Finish
Rich buttery yellow with high-contrast silvery tips; surface features a rough, organic cast texture with pitted recesses and polished highlights
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible on the front; likely located on the reverse side or the interior of the jump ring bail. Possible European '750' stamp with a maker's mark
Dimensions Estimate
Approximately 18-22mm in diameter; petite to standard accessory size
Gemstones & Inlays
None visible; the design relies on 'illusion' casting where the textured metal tips mimic the sparkle of small gemstones
Clasp & Closure
Integrated jump ring bail on the side; would require a spring ring or lobster claw chain to be worn
Chain & Links
N/A; pendant only. Structural build is single-piece organic casting
Craftsmanship Details
Lost-wax cast construction with manual finishing; features deliberate porosity and irregular edges to achieve a naturalistic, crystalline appearance
Authentication Indicators
Visual density of the gold, depth of relief in the casting, and specific two-tone oxidation patterns consistent with high-karat gold alloys
Origin & Maker
Likely Continental European (Italy or Scandinavia) or North American independent artisan; typical of mid-century hand-finished wax castings
Era & Period
Modernist/Brutalist Period (circa 1960s-1970s); characterized by abstract, nugget-like, and rugged botanical forms
Age Estimate
Likely produced between 1965 and 1978 based on the 'nugget' textural trend
Cultural Significance
Represents the shift in the 1970s toward chunky, textured gold jewelry as a symbol of status and artistic individuality
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition; visible patina in the deep grooves characteristic of the style, jump ring shows minimal wear, white gold plating on tips is slightly worn showing original yellow base
Value Estimate
$350 - $550 based on current gold spot prices; value is split between gold weight and its appeal as a vintage designer-style piece
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft brush and mild soap to reach deep crevices; avoid ultrasonic cleaners if the white accents are thin rhodium plating; store separately to prevent the rough texture from scratching other jewelry
Similar Items
Björn Weckström for Lapponia pieces or abstract spray pendants by Arthur King
Interesting Facts
The Brutalist jewelry movement was a reaction against the 'perfect' symmetry of previous eras, celebrating the raw, industrial, and unrefined nature of metal