This Perpignan garnet dragonfly brooch, or libellus, was made in the early 19th century. Its body is beset with garnets, the kind that were found in the garnet mines in and around Perpignan, in the south of France. The garnet jewellery production there ended in the early 1930s, when the economic crisis became the final blow to an industry already in decline. Nowadays it is illegal to mine for garnets in or around Perpignan, which is why it has become a rarity and jewellery with Perpignan garnets are greatly valued.
Perpignan garnet jewellery can be recognised by a distinct cut that enhances the colour and brilliance of the stones. This dragonfly brooch is a testimony to that fact.
To see how old a piece is, it is important to turn it around and look at its back. In this case you can see the round smooth shapes of the setting. Old jewellery typically has these rounded shapes.
This little dragonfly found its way to Spain through time. It is no surprise, because Perpignan is right on the French-Spanish border, just a short flight over.
Dragonfly gold brooch with Perpignan garnets
Its wingspan is approx. 10mm, its body measures about 10mm. Its diameter from the tip of the right hand wing to the tip of the body measures approx. 12 mm.
