Antique Gold Black Onyx Pearl Memorial Brooch Pin 18kt

Alas, poor Mary Corben, she perished on the last day of January in the year 1878. I don’t know much about her but we can tell a few things from this fantastic brooch. She must’ve lived a long life, her hair had quite a lot of silver in it, and her family must have been pretty well off, because this memorial made to her would’ve cost a pretty penny, it was gorgeous then and it’s equally beautiful today.This gorgeous brooch is a simple but highly polished circle of black onyx with edges so beautifully polished that they beg to be touched. The onyx is set with a golden six-pointed star set with creamy white pearls. The back of the brooch is a round frame that holds an intricately woven plaque of hair around which is engraved “In Memoriam Mary Corben Jan.y 31st 1878”. I noticed that there is a tiny round divet drilled into the edge of this brooch, probably that was originally where a safety chain was attached.The brooch measures 41.2 mm across and weighs 26.8 grams.I offer a 3-5 payment la