22ct Gold Nugget Brooch | American Gold Rush c.1880

A rare and evocative brooch formed from a naturally occurring 22-carat gold nugget, dating to the height of the American Gold Rush around 1880.

This piece is as direct as it gets - a raw fragment of the earth, shaped by geological time and then simply mounted as a pin, likely by or for someone who unearthed it themselves or struck lucky in the trade.

There’s no pretence here - just weight, glow, and a story.

The nugget’s sculptural form hasn’t been overly worked or stylised, giving it a texture and presence that feels both ancient and unmistakably modern.

It’s not a piece designed for decoration alone; it’s a declaration of origin, effort, and elemental beauty.

In a time when provenance and honesty in materials matter more than ever, this brooch has both in abundance.

A survivor from a moment of global upheaval and wild ambition, it wears just as well today - maybe even better.

Diameter 3.5cm x 1cm

Available exclusively at ELTONS, Grays Antique Market, Mayfair, London.