mid century modern brooch

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Curious Things

In 1966, General Electric introduced their first new appliance color since 1959…  a warm bright shade of yellowish green called avocado.  Just two years later, they added a second color.  This glorious hue was a brownish golden ochre they dubbed “harvest”.  This dynamic duo would take the home appliance market by storm.  Every homemaker in the 1970’s was dying to add these ultra chic colors to their kitchen and laundry room.  Three additional color tones rounded out this autumnal palette (although they would never achieve the same status as harvest gold and avocado green)… burnt orange, poppy red, and coppertone.  

These were the deep saturated colors of my childhood.  I remember playing with my dolls under the kitchen table at my Great Aunt Helen’s house…  my small body situated between the pedestool of the wooden table, chair rungs, and my mother’s long sun-kissed legs.  The grown-ups were playing canasta – the slick cards flying across the table.  Even now, I can smell the stale scent of Virginia Slims being crushed into the already overflowing ashtray.  I can taste the tangy flavor of Aunt Helen’s iced tea – her signature blend of half Country Time lemonade and half Lipton instant tea.  In my mind, I can see her slender arm reaching into her Coppertone Brown refrigerator to refill her tea glass. 

Even then, in her late 60’s, Aunt Helen was a style icon.  With bright red painted-on lips and oversize tinted glasses –  she loved color.  From the patterned carpet in her kitchen to the geometric drapes that covered her sliding glass door, her style was on point and a bit eccentric.  Not one to follow the crowd, she didn’t have harvest gold appliances but rather opted for the Coppertone brown stove and fridge.

I was flooded with memories the first time I saw this Mid Century Modern brooch.  The trio of colored gemstones was like a time machine, carrying me back to 1979.  Deep tones of avocado green, harvest gold, and burnt orange are brought to life by nine citrine, ten peridot, and nine tourmaline.  Combined, these pear-shaped gems have a total weight of approximately 20.00 carats! 

Made entirely of 18-karat yellow gold, this brooch makes a bold statement.  Each of the colored gems are bezel-set with a textured band of gold outlining every one.  Randomly spaced between the leaves of color are ten round brilliant diamonds.  These sparklers are nestled within four-prong settings and have a total weight of approximately 1.50 carats.  

For nearly two decades, harvest gold and avocado green were the colors of choice in home decor.  These warm earthy tones had very high highs, and unfortunately –  very low lows.  In 1984, a new neutral was introduced – almond.  And just like that – the deep, saturated hues of my childhood were erased.  In fact, that color palette became a style no-no.  Like a time capsule – those colors point directly to the 1970’s…  and many people think they should stay there.  

For me, this brooch is reminiscent of carefree summer days and wistful childhood memories.  I can picture it pinned to the broad lapel of a polyester leisure suit.  Or perhaps clasped to the knot of a silken scarf tied around the neck.  Brooches have seen a peak in popularity recently – this one is sure to be a head-turner.  Brooches aren’t the only thing making a comeback.  Just last year, Kitchenaid added three new appliance colors to their line-up: Avocado Cream, Yellow Pepper, and Scorched Orange.  Hmmm.  Sound familiar?  

Fresh from the 1970’s, this brooch is available for $3,250.00.  I can’t wait to hear what you think.  Are you nostalgic for days gone by?   Or are avocado green and harvest gold best left in the past?  Is this beauty hot? Or  not?  

“You can go to a museum and look, or come to us and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe