{"product_id":"vintage-9ct-yellow-gold-greenstone-and-opal-bee-brooch","title":"Vintage 9ct Yellow Gold Greenstone \u0026 Opal Bee Brooch","description":"\u003cp\u003eA captivating fusion of European elegance and New Zealand heritage, this rare 1920s brooch represents a unique moment in colonial jewellery when Art Nouveau design met locally sourced materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the centre is a delicate bee crafted in 9ct yellow gold with intricate hand-finished detailing. The bee's body features a luminous opal cabochon with soft, milky-blue play-of-colour, accented by a warm garnet and tiny seed pearls nestled within the gold wirework. The wings are fashioned from hand-carved pounamu (New Zealand greenstone), revealing the stone's characteristic pale green hue and cultural significance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe use of pounamu — revered by Māori as taonga (treasure) — was embraced by colonial jewellers as a symbol of New Zealand identity. Combined with the bee motif, this brooch bridges European design sensibilities with indigenous materials to create something distinctly New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bee rests upon a bar brooch carved from greenstone, polished smooth and capped at each end with decorative 9ct gold fittings. This bar-and-insect configuration was a popular Victorian and Edwardian style, worn horizontally across a lapel or collar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 55mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is an estate item and comes with a one year guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44100790779992,"sku":"027-00297","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1319\/9109\/files\/027-00297_VINTAGE_SP.jpg?v=1778725095","url":"https:\/\/walkerandhall.co.nz\/products\/vintage-9ct-yellow-gold-greenstone-and-opal-bee-brooch","provider":"Walker \u0026 Hall","version":"1.0","type":"link"}