Yellow Gold and Diamond Clip Brooch

18-carat yellow gold clip brooch featuring a thistle motif, set with diamonds. Made in France, circa 1970–1980

Some gemstones may show slight wear, and the metal may have a delicate patina.

The Scottish Thistle:

Since the 13th century, the thistle—the national flower of the Kingdom of Scotland—has often been used as a brooch motif in the United Kingdom. It is also the symbol of the eponymous British order of chivalry, the Order of the Thistle, whose motto “Nemo me impune lacessit” means “No one attacks me with impunity.”

The Lorraine Thistle:

On our side of the English Channel, the thistle is no less prominent. After René II’s victory over Charles the Bold at the Battle of Nancy, he adopted it as his coat of arms and associated it with the motto “Non inultus premor” or “He who touches it gets pricked,” evoking both the thistle’s thorns and the bravery of the lords of Lorraine.

Even today, the thistle and its motto adorn the coat of arms of Nancy, the logo of AS Nancy-Lorraine, the emblem of the Lorraine Regional Nature Park, and appear in the chorus of the Lorraine anthem.

Estimated total weight of diamonds: 1.20 carats

Dimensions: 42.55 x 41.50 x 15.69 mm (1.675 x 16.34 x 0.618 inches)