Cut Steel is polished steel faceted studs riveted to a steel backing to fashion jewelry, ornaments and buttons. Motifs varied from the simple to the sublime, with multiple layers and densely packed studs. Designs could be enhanced by the use of varying sized studs and each stud could have up to 15 facets. Popular throughout the Georgian and Victorian eras, in general the finer and older the piece, the more facets the studs will have. Made in both England and Europe, this style of jewelry fell out of favor by the turn of the 19th century, but continues to be very collectable with Victorian jewelry collectors!

A simply wonderful cut steel bug pin from the Victorian (ca1880) era! This piece, which depicts a large winged bug, has a body made of banded agate set in sterling silver. There are two sections of the banded agate body which is a soft sage green color with a white band running through its center. The body of the bug is graced with 2 wings ornamentally encrusted in cut steel studs. It has 4 sterling legs and a single silver ball which represents its head. At the top of the head are 2 antennas with a single cut steel stud attached to the tip of each. On the underside of the pin is a sterling clasp with a c-catch. The pin is just lovely and a must for any cut steel or bug jewelry collector! 

Measurements: The pin measures approximately 1 1/2" wide, 1 3/4" long and a little more than 3/8" in depth.

Condition: The overall condition of the pin is excellent. There is no apparent damage to any of the metal all of the stones and cut steel studs are intact. The pin clasp is secure and in good working condition.