Amethyst Heart Pin

Undying Romance. Believed to be from the Edwardian period (1901-1915), the original brooch features a magnificent 96-carat amethyst with diamond surround. A filigree heart with a fleur-de-lys pierce-work motif, accented by old European-cut diamonds, forms the elegant platinum and yellow gold mounting. Our crystal Amethyst Heart Pin is brass with an antique gold plating faithfully replicates the 1973 donation to the Smithsonian by Mrs. George M. Morris.  2.5"l. x 1.25"w.

Museum Provenance

Gems accumulate history. The very stone that once adorned a king or queen might today be set in someone’s cocktail ring. (The history of the Hope Diamond includes a stint in the French Crown Jewels, a daring theft, two recuttings, and purchase by an English king.) The astonishing replica collections presented on these next pages—a mere sampling of the extraordinary holdings in our National Museum of Natural History’s National Gem Collection—let you dazzle in their reflected glory.

Every Smithsonian purchase will arrive with a museum provenance card explaining how it is adapted from or inspired by an object or objects in our collection.