This charming figural brooch, which is convertible to a pendant, from our Deja Vu 1990s collection captures one of jewellery history's most enduring motifs, with bee designs tracing back to Ancient Egypt, where gold bee pendants symbolised kingship and were placed in tombs as protective talismans for the afterlife. The motif reached its peak popularity during the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria's fascination with naturalism made bee brooches a beloved accessory prized as emblems of hard work, community and diligence.
Crafted in 14ct yellow gold with dimensions of 26mm x 30mm, the piece features a body densely set with sapphires totalling 1.90ct across roughly 2.8mm stones each, giving the bee's abdomen and thorax a rich, textured blue shimmer reminiscent of natural iridescence. A single round brilliant diamond sits as a bright accent at the centre of the thorax, drawing the eye before the gaze travels down the sapphire-set body. The finely textured, honeycomb-patterned wings are rendered in polished gold, a detail that distinguishes quality figural brooches by evoking the bee's actual wing structure rather than a flat, stylised shape.
Beyond ancient Egypt, bees carried civic and moral weight for the Greeks and Romans, who linked the insect to industriousness and communal order, ideas later echoed by Napoleon's adoption of the bee as an imperial emblem in the early 19th century. As a wearable symbol, the bee brooch continues to resonate today for its associations with resilience, teamwork and connection to nature, making this sapphire-and-diamond example both a striking lapel piece and a nod to centuries of symbolic tradition.
Total Sapphire Weight: 1.90ct
Sapphire Size: 2.8mm
Total Diamond Weight: .18ct
Colour: H-I
Clarity: SI
Brooch Dimensions: Approx. 26mm x 30mm
This is an estate item and comes with a one year guarantee.
Please note this is a charm only; chains are sold separately.
Our Noted chain, specially designed to fit Noted charms, is linked in the product description. Noted charms may not fit on other chain styles.
Congratulations, this item is Pre-Loved so you are making a sustainable choice to value existing resources and continue the story. All Pre-Loved pieces come with a one year guarantee.
Happy Hour purchases are final and cannot be returned for a refund, exchange, store credit, or cash - unless faulty.
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To keep your jewellery looking it's sparkling best, we recommend that you avoid wearing your jewellery during activities such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, swimming/showering and particularly sporting and gym activities.
Apply cosmetics and perfumes and allow them to dry before putting on your jewellery and avoid contact with chlorinated water and other chemicals.
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White Gold - White gold is rhodium plated and will require ongoing maintenance.
For more information and jewellery cleaning tips, view our Jewellery Care Guide.
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